Indiana Football’s Dream Season Rolls On: Hoosiers Earn No. 1 Seed, Await CFP Quarterfinal Opponent
What started as a promising season has turned into something truly historic in Bloomington. Indiana, ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP Top 25, has stormed through the college football landscape, finishing a perfect 13-0, capturing the Big Ten title, and now sitting atop the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed.
Yes, that Indiana.
This run has been nothing short of spectacular for a program that’s long lived in the shadows of the Big Ten’s powerhouses. But this year, the Hoosiers didn’t just step into the spotlight - they owned it.
Their statement win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship wasn’t just a résumé-builder; it was a message to the rest of the country. Indiana isn’t just here to participate.
They’re here to contend.
And leading the charge? Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who capped off his sensational season by bringing home the school’s first-ever Heisman Trophy. Mendoza’s play has been electric, but more than that, it’s been efficient, poised, and timely - the kind of quarterbacking that wins championships in December and January.
What’s Next for Indiana?
With the top seed comes a well-earned reward: rest and a first-round bye. The Hoosiers now await the winner of the No.
8 Oklahoma vs. No.
9 Alabama showdown, a matchup loaded with tradition, talent, and playoff stakes.
Indiana will face the winner of that first-round clash in the CFP quarterfinals on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. ET, with the game airing live on ESPN. For those looking to stream, the game will also be available on Fubo.
This extra preparation time is a luxury in the playoff gauntlet - especially for a team riding high but still relatively new to the CFP stage. It gives head coach and staff time to fine-tune the game plan and, perhaps more importantly, get everyone healthy and ready for what promises to be a physical, high-stakes quarterfinal.
The Road Ahead: CFP Schedule at a Glance
Here’s how the College Football Playoff is shaping up, with first-round matchups leading into the quarterfinals and beyond:
First Round
- Friday, Dec. 19 No. 9 Alabama at No.
8 Oklahoma - 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 20 No. 10 Miami at No.
7 Texas A&M - Noon
No.
11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss - 3:30 p.m.
No. 12 James Madison at No.
5 Oregon - 7:30 p.m.
Quarterfinals
- Wednesday, Dec. 31 No. 2 Ohio State vs. winner of Miami/Texas A&M - 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 1 No. 4 Texas Tech vs. winner of JMU/Oregon - 1 p.m. No. 1 Indiana vs. winner of Alabama/Oklahoma - 4 p.m. No. 3 Georgia vs. winner of Tulane/Ole Miss - 8 p.m.
Semifinals
- Thursday, Jan. 8 - 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 9 - 7:30 p.m.
National Championship
- Monday, Jan. 19 - 7:30 p.m.
The Hoosiers have already made history. But now, with a Heisman winner under center and the No. 1 seed in hand, they’ve got their sights set on something even bigger: a national championship.
The next chapter begins Jan. 1.