No. 1 Hoosiers Seek First National Championship Against No. 5 Ducks
No. 1 Indiana faces off against No. 5 Oregon in a College Football Playoff semifinal rematch Friday night, with the unbeaten Hoosiers seeking their first-ever recognized national championship. The IU football game takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as part of tonight’s college football action, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This marks Indiana’s first playoff semifinal appearance in program history, while Oregon makes its second CFP national semifinal appearance. The IU game today represents a chance for the Hoosiers to avenge their 30-20 road victory over the Ducks on October 11, when Indiana topped Oregon in Eugene despite facing a fourth-quarter pick-6 from quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza Leads Unbeaten Indiana
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will lead the Indiana offense against Oregon’s Dante Moore in what shapes up as a quarterback duel. Mendoza delivered a dominant Rose Bowl performance against Alabama, throwing three touchdown passes with just two incompletions. The IU game tonight will test an Indiana defense that remains undefeated and ranks among the nation’s elite.
“Hard to beat a team twice, so edge to Oregon there,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged, referencing the challenge of defeating the Ducks in a rematch. Historical data supports his concern—teams winning regular-season meetings are just 1-2 in College Football Playoff rematches.
What Time Is The Indiana-Oregon Game?
The IU Oregon game airs Friday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET exclusively on ESPN from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fans can stream the college football tonight action via Fubo and the ESPN+ bundle.
Key Matchups To Watch
- Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore: Indiana’s Heisman winner and Oregon’s breakout quarterback prospect face off in a pivotal IU football game. Moore ranks third nationally in completion percentage (72.9%) and seventh in passer rating (166.73).
- Indiana’s Defense: The Hoosiers’ elite defensive unit, led by cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, has allowed just 27 catches on 50 targets in coverage this season and hasn’t surrendered a touchdown reception.
- Oregon’s Takeaway Machine: True freshman Brandon Finney Jr. became just the second player in CFP history with three takeaways in a single game during Oregon’s Orange Bowl shutout.
The Road Ahead
The winner of tonight’s IU game advances to the College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20. Indiana remains the only team to defeat Oregon at home in the last 23 games, a factor that could prove significant on a neutral field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Hoosiers also benefit from their status as a higher seed and the advantage of not traveling far after their Rose Bowl victory in Pasadena.
