If you're a Syracuse fan looking for a blueprint to believe in, Indiana’s 16-0 run to the national title offers more than just a feel-good story-it provides a practical example of how a team without the flashiest roster or biggest NIL war chest can still reach the mountaintop. The Hoosiers didn’t outspend the competition.
They outplayed them. And while no two programs are identical, there are clear takeaways from Indiana’s success that Fran Brown and the Orange could look to emulate as they build toward the future.
Efficient, Explosive, and Relentless on Offense
Let’s start with the offense. Indiana finished 10th in the country in yards per play (6.79), which tells you they weren’t just moving the chains-they were doing it with purpose.
That kind of efficiency helped them lead the nation in third-down conversion rate at nearly 57%. When you’re staying on the field and keeping defenses guessing, good things tend to happen.
But it wasn’t just about grinding out long drives. Indiana was a big-play machine.
They ranked 3rd nationally in plays of 10+ yards, 4th in 20+ yard plays, and 8th in 30+ yard plays. That kind of explosive capability meant they could flip the field-and the scoreboard-in a hurry.
And once they got into the red zone, they cashed in, scoring touchdowns on 71% of those trips.
That should sound familiar to Orange fans. Two years ago, under Jeff Nixon, Syracuse showed similar flashes of explosiveness-ranking 7th in 10+ yard plays and 5th in 20+ yard plays.
The difference? Consistency and quarterback play.
If the Orange can stabilize that position in 2026, there’s reason to believe their offense could take a major leap forward. The weapons are there.
The question is whether the execution can match.
Winning the Turnover Battle = Winning Games
Indiana didn’t just score-they gave themselves more chances to do it. They led the nation in turnover margin at +22, forcing 30 turnovers while losing just one fumble all season.
Some of that is the bounce of the ball, sure. But it’s also about discipline, awareness, and coaching emphasis.
When you win the turnover battle that consistently, you’re not just playing well-you’re tilting the game in your favor every week.
Special teams played a part, too. Indiana tied for 4th nationally in blocked kicks, and that attention to detail paid off in the biggest moments-like the College Football Playoff Championship, where a blocked punt led to a touchdown. It was a reminder that in championship-level football, every phase matters.
That’s an area where Syracuse needs to make a jump. They forced just 10 turnovers last season-a number that needs to climb if they want to compete with the top-tier programs.
The good news? New defensive coordinator Vince Kehres brings a track record of creating takeaways, with his Toledo defense forcing 21 last year.
If his scheme clicks, the Orange could start stealing a few more possessions.
Defense with an Edge, Discipline with a Purpose
Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana offense got plenty of headlines-and deservedly so-but the Hoosiers' defense was no slouch. They finished 3rd in the country in tackles for loss (8.06 per game) and 8th in opponent third-down conversions, allowing just 30.1%. That kind of disruptive, situational defense is what separates good teams from great ones.
Discipline was another calling card. Indiana averaged just 3.8 penalties per game-5th best in the country.
Syracuse, by contrast, averaged 6.2 penalties and gave up over 54 yards per game in flags. That’s the kind of hidden yardage that can swing a close contest.
Cleaning that up could be the difference between a bowl bid and a breakthrough season.
Building Something Bigger Than Rankings
Indiana had a veteran team last year, no doubt. Syracuse will be younger in 2026.
But youth doesn’t have to be a roadblock-it can be a foundation. What matters now is whether Fran Brown and his staff can build a culture that prioritizes discipline, execution, and belief.
Because that’s what Indiana did. They didn’t just play harder.
They played smarter.
As Curt Cignetti said after the title win, “You get the right group of guys together... they’re good decision-makers, they’re good people... you’ve got to play with discipline and you’ve got to play with poise and you’ve got to play with confidence and consistency.”
That’s the formula. Not a secret sauce.
Not a magic playbook. Just a commitment to the little things, done right, over and over again.
Fran Brown may not have the same years of head coaching experience as Cignetti, but he’s got a vision-and now, a clear model to draw inspiration from. The question for Syracuse isn’t whether they’ll go 16-0 in 2026. It’s whether they can take meaningful steps forward by focusing on execution, discipline, and maximizing every opportunity.
If they do, don’t be surprised if the Orange start turning heads sooner than expected.