On January 19, either Indiana or Oregon will vie for their first national championship in school history, marking an exciting milestone for college football fans. The match-up will take place as Indiana (14-0) faces off against Oregon (13-1) in the Peach Bowl, with both teams showcasing strong performances in their respective quarterfinal games.
Indiana is enjoying a historic season, emerging as the only team in the 12-team College Football Playoff’s brief history to earn a first-round bye and then triumph in the quarterfinals. In an impressive display, they crushed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, dominating nearly every aspect of the game. The Hoosiers amassed 407 total yards on 66 plays, averaging an astonishing 6.2 yards per play, while Alabama limped with just 193 yards on 50 plays—a feat that highlighted the strengths of Indiana’s defense.
On the other hand, Oregon also proved to be a formidable contender in its quarterfinal match, securing a 23-0 victory over Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl. Although their offense struggled with just 3.8 yards per play, the defense shined brightly, forcing four turnovers and limiting Texas Tech to 215 total yards. This strong performance showcased Oregon’s resilience as they seek to rebound from earlier disappointments in national title games, having previously appeared in the championship after the 2010 season and in the inaugural College Football Playoff final in January 2015.
Central to both teams’ success are their standout quarterbacks, Fernando Mendoza of Indiana and Dante Moore of Oregon. Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, has had a stellar season, completing 72% of his passes for 3,172 yards and 36 touchdowns, alongside just six interceptions. In the Rose Bowl, he showcased his precision by completing 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Dante Moore, while facing challenges with a depleted receiving core, has still put up impressive statistics, passing for 3,280 yards with 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. His performances will be critical as he leads Oregon in this championship game, especially following the recent injuries affecting their running back lineup, including the loss of top rusher Jordon Davison.
Both teams will heavily rely on their respective running backs—Indiana’s Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby, and Oregon’s Noah Whittington. Black and Hemby have combined to provide substantial rushing yards and touchdowns for Indiana, while Whittington, now thrust into a larger role due to injuries to his teammates, will need to step up against Indiana’s robust defensive front.
The stakes are high as Indiana aims to maintain its undefeated record and earn its first national championship, while Oregon looks to write a new chapter in its storied football history after two previous title game appearances. With quarterbacks who could potentially be the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, fans are in for an electrifying showdown in the Peach Bowl, showcasing the best of college football.