Nithin Satish ('28)
Who will win?
This year’s college football season culminated in a thrilling national championship, with the Indiana Hoosiers beating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in a dramatic game. This season’s playoffs featured a 12-team bracket, bringing excitement from beginning to end and showcasing some of the most dominant and talented players and programs in the nation. Since it is only the second year that this bracket format has been used, the expansion allows for more teams to have a chance to compete for the coveted title of national champion.
The top four teams (Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech) earned automatic first round byes, while the remaining eight teams battled for a spot in the quarterfinals. Oregon matched up against James Madison, comfortably beating them, while Miami (FL) narrowly defeated Texas A&M with a last minute touchdown in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss handed Tulane a rough 41-10 loss, and Oklahoma’s season was ended by Alabama.
The semifinals were filled with upsets and dominance. Indiana proved its title as the number one spot, crushing Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Miami shocked the nation with a win over the number two seed Ohio State, while Ole Miss barely beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and Oregon held Texas Tech to a shutout in the Orange Bowl. With three of the four top seeds out of contention for the national championship, the semifinals began in Arizona and Atlanta. Yet again, Indiana validated their dominance, defeating Oregon 56-22. In the Fiesta Bowl, Miami pushed through a grueling game to triumph over Ole Miss with a touchdown in the last 18 seconds. With the stage set in Hard Rock Stadium, Florida, the number one seed, Indiana University, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza took on underdog University of Miami in a captivating game.
From the first drive, it was clear that both Indiana and Miami were there to win. Indiana was the first on the board, with a field goal. With both teams having a strong defense, it was up to the offense to execute on big plays. Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza did exactly that. Though Miami continued to score throughout the second half of the game, Mendoza pulled off a massive play in the fourth quarter, putting his body on the line and taking multiple hits to score a touchdown for his team, ultimately sealing their win.
Indiana’s title is a remarkable feat, with the team being the first to have a 16-0 run since 1894. Not only that, but just a few years ago, Indiana was considered one of the worst teams in college football. Under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana reinvented themselves, proving that what was once thought to be impossible, could be accomplished. Indiana’s story, from a struggling program to an undefeated national championship has shocked and captivated spectators around the nation. With over thirty million viewers, the game was one of the most watched in recent college football broadcasts, ensuring that this Indiana football team will forever be remembered as one of the greatest stories in college sports.