Revisiting Micah Huff's predictions for Indiana, national title game

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The USC Trojans face Indiana next season. This USC opponent in 2026 has achieved the quickest turnaround in sports, winning a title in two seasons after being irrelevant for many decades. Stories like this put even more pressure on Lincoln Riley. With an elite coach, anything is possible, and that is exactly what Indiana has showed this season.

Here are how my predictions for the national title game featuring the Big Ten football juggernaut from Indiana played out:

Fernando Mendoza’s elite play continues

“One thing that has been a guarantee this postseason has been Fernando Mendoza being deadly accurate and efficient. Mendoza only has 5 incompletions in the two College Football Playoff games he has dominated. While he has no real competition for being the top quarterback taken in this upcoming NFL Draft, he looks like a guy who can get the keys to an NFL franchise. I think Miami has a great defense, but Trinidad Chambliss was able to have success. I think Indiana can have similar success, and he will put up yet another masterclass performance. I think Mendoza will throw for 3 touchdowns and 250 yards through the air. He will keep his usual standard of 3 incompletions as well. The Raiders will love what they see from Mendoza in this game.”

Fernando Mendoza did not blow away Miami with another elite performance, but he did make big-time throws, and he had one of the best plays of the college football season when he ran it in the endzone on 4th and 5. He is a player who is willing to put it all on the line, and that was exactly what he did to put the Hoosiers up 24-14.

Carson Beck struggles mightily

“Carson Beck was amazing in the last round’s game, and he was a big reason why Miami came out victorious. I think against the Hurricanes‘ defense, it will be a different story. The Hoosiers’ defense made Julian Sayin the most accurate quarterback in the country, struggling mightily. I think they will do the same to Beck. It will be clear who the best quarterback on the field is, and I think Beck will make that even clearer with a couple of turnovers given away to the Hoosiers.”

Carson Beck was actually pretty impressive in this game, and the Canes found more success than any team on the Hoosiers’ defense. Beck found Malachi Toney early and often as he had a superstar game. Beck eventually did prove the doubters right with a game-sealing interception he threw. Very tough for a lot of the good he did this postseason to get outshined by the final play in the National title game.

The Hoosiers trio of playmakers step up again

“The return of Omar Cooper Jr. has been big for the Hoosiers’ playmakers. In the College Football Playoffs, the trio of Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt, and Charlie Becker has been a nightmare for opposing defenses. Charlie Becker showed how dangerous he can be by himself in the Big Ten Championship game as he dominated Ohio State with 6 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Sarratt dominated Oregon with 7 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cooper Jr. has been a great complement to those two in his return. Each of these receivers has had a touchdown in each of the two playoff games. Indiana will be successful against the Hurricanes’ elite pass rush because they have guys who can get open. This trio will continue their streak with each of them finding the endzone, but Omar Cooper Jr. will lead the way with 2 touchdowns and 100 yards receiving.”

Omar Cooper Jr. was like I expected the top performer for the Hoosiers in their trio, as he put up 5 catches for 71 yards. Charlie Becker delivered as usual and made many big-time plays, finishing with 4 catches for 65 yards. It was not the dominant showing from this trio Imagined, but these playmakers did still show up for Mendoza nonetheless.

The Hoosiers offense has a great day against the Hurricanes elite defense

“Ole Miss was able to find success with quick throws and tempo. I think Indiana can replicate that to some degree. I don’t think Indiana has a very dominant run game, but they are so strong through the air with an elite quarterback and elite weapons. I see this Indiana team continuing their formula for success and airing it out verus this team. It didn’t work as well for Ohio State, but I see this Indiana team taking down Miami with a great offensive day due to Mendoza having a great game and his weapons showing up for him.”

The Hurricanes looked like the better offense at times in this game, but the reason Indiana came out on top was that they were the more experienced and consistent offense. Mendoza did not dominate, but he was great when he needed to be great, and the same could not be said for the Hurricanes. Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney both had 100-yard performances, but did not get the quarterback play necessary to win this game down the stretch. It was not a great day offensively by the Hoosiers, but they were exactly what they needed to be to win.

Curt Cignetti puts his name with the greats

“There has not been a more impressive turnaround than what Cignetti has done at Indiana. He has led the Hoosiers on a dominant playoff run, and he and his team have a chance to put the icing on the cake. He has brought this team into relevance, and he has taken down the best teams in the country. When Curt Cignetti wins a national title for the first time at Indiana, he will undoubtedly be the best coach in college football. With Indiana making the transition from a basketball school to a Big Ten football powerhouse, there are not too many coaches who have a better resume than Cignetti. Cignetti is on the trajectory to have his name with the greats when it is all said and done. Indiana is not going anywhere either; this success could very well become the norm.”

Curt Cignetti finishes one of the greatest turnarounds in sports with a National Championship victory. Miami was the more talented team, but this Hoosiers team’s fight is a clear reflection of the coach they have. What a season by the Hoosiers, and they finished the year as the best team in the county. Curt Cignetti’s resume can not be overlooked, and he is the best coach in the business. Another great year in Indiana, and crazy conversations will begin, including Cignetti. Heck with the success he has had at Indiana, a basketball school, in two years that might be enough already for them to start.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Revisiting Micah’s predictions for Indiana football vs Miami

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