Unfortunately, the USC Trojans will be watching the national championship game from home, but their 2026 Big Ten football opponents will have the opportunity to add to an exciting season. Indiana has proven time and time again that they are the best team in the country; the Hoosiers have another chance to do so. Miami also defeated Ohio State in dominant fashion in the playoffs, but Kurt Cignetti and the Hoosiers will try to prove they will continue to try to take over college football.
Here are my predictions for the national championship game from Big Ten football powerhouse Indiana:
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Fernando Mendoza’s elite game continues
Fernando Mendoza’s extreme accuracy and efficiency are one of the guarantees of this playoff run. Mendoza has just five incompletions in the two College Football Playoff games he dominated. While he has no real competition to be the top quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft, he looks like a guy who could hold the keys to an NFL franchise. I think Miami has a good defense, but Trinidad Chambliss can be successful. I think Indiana can have similar success and he’ll put in another masterful performance. I think Mendoza will throw for 3 touchdowns and 250 yards through the air. He will also maintain his usual standard of 3 incompletions. The Raiders will love what Mendoza does in this game.
Carson Baker struggles
Carson Baker was outstanding in the last round and was a big reason why Miami pulled off the win. I think it’s going to be different against the Hurricanes defense. The Hoosiers defense, which has made Julian Saine the most accurate quarterback in the country, has struggled mightily. I think they’re going to do the same thing with Baker. It will be obvious who the best quarterback on the field is, and I think Baker will make that even clearer with the few turnovers he gave the Indians.
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Indians trio steps up again
The return of Omar Cooper Jr. is huge for the Indians’ playmaker. The trio of Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Zarate and Charlie Becker has been a nightmare for opposing defenses throughout the College Football Playoff. Charlie Becker showed just how dangerous he can be on his own in the Big Ten Conference Championship, dominating Ohio State with six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Sarratt dominated Oregon State with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. The return of Little Cooper is a great addition to these two. These receivers scored touchdowns in both playoff games. Indiana will have success against the Hurricanes’ elite pass rush because they have players who can get open. These three will continue their winning streak with all finding touchdowns, but Omar Cooper Jr. will lead the way with 2 touchdowns and 100 yards receiving.
Indians offense had a good day against elite Hurricanes defense
Ole Miss found success with fast pitching and pace. I think Indiana can replicate that to some degree. I don’t think Indiana is very dominant in the run game, but they have an elite quarterback and elite weapons and are very strong in the air. I see this Indiana team continuing their pattern of success and compare it to this team. This didn’t work out well for Ohio State, but I see this Indiana team beating Miami on a great offensive day because Mendoza had a great game and his weapons showed for him.
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Curt Cignetti puts his name alongside the greats
There’s no transformation more impressive than what Signetti did in Indiana. He’s led the Indians to a dominant postseason run, and he and his team have a chance to put the icing on the cake. He made this team matter and he beat the best teams in the country. When Kurt Cignetti wins his first national championship with Indiana, he will undoubtedly be the best coach in college football. As Indiana transitions from a basketball school to a Big Ten football powerhouse, not many coaches have a better resume than Signetti. The bottom line is that Signetti is on the same path as his namesake, a great man. Indiana isn’t going anywhere, either; this kind of success will likely become the norm.
This article originally appeared on Trojan Wire: Indiana has a chance to repeat as Big Ten football national champion