Indiana just flipped college football on its head. The Hoosiers beat No. 1 Ohio State 13 to 10 in the Big Ten Championship, and the shock is still rolling across the sport. It was gritty. It was tense. It was historic. And it put Indiana at the center of the playoff picture overnight.
A night that flipped the Big Ten
Inside Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana played like the team that had waited generations for this chance. The defense was fearless. It tackled clean and kept everything in front. Ohio State’s final hope, a 27 yard field goal to tie, hooked wide. The noise from the Indiana section felt like a wave.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza then finished the job. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 222 yards. The throw that sealed it was a deep strike to Charlie Becker for 33 yards. It was a simple ball. It was perfect. It broke Ohio State’s back and ran the clock. Final score, 13 to 10. A program changed in one night.
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Indiana won its first outright Big Ten football title since 1945, and made its first Big Ten Championship Game appearance.
The Mendoza moment
Mendoza is the face of this run now. He kept calm when it mattered most. He read the field, found matchups he liked, and protected the ball. His season line tells the story, roughly 2,800 to 3,000 passing yards and 32 to 33 touchdowns, with a handful of picks. He also added key rushing scores that punished soft fronts.
Then came the viral interview. Mendoza fought back tears and thanked God, his coaches, and his teammates. It felt raw and real. That moment turned a strong Heisman case into a leading one. He has the stats. He has the wins. Now he has the signature drive that voters remember.
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Curt Cignetti’s fast rebuild
Two years ago, Indiana felt like a tough out, not a threat. Curt Cignetti changed that fast. His record sits around 23 and 2 at IU. He owns back to back Big Ten Coach of the Year awards. His blueprint was simple, set a high standard, keep schemes clear, and demand perfect effort.
You can see the culture in every snap. Indiana tackles in space. It blocks with purpose. It plays clean situational football. And yes, it believes. That is the biggest leap of all.
- A confident quarterback who finishes drives
- A defense that limits explosives and wins on third down
- An offensive line that travels in any weather
- Special teams that do the small things right
This is not a Cinderella. It is a machine that wins close games and blows out rivals when it can.
What it means for the Playoff
Indiana is the No. 1 seed for the College Football Playoff after a 13 and 0 season. The path likely runs through the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026. The committee values balance, and Indiana has it. The defense just held Ohio State to 10 points. The offense has answers in the red zone and late in games.
Matchups will decide the rest. Can the Hoosiers keep runs bottled up against a top rushing attack. Can Mendoza handle pressure without forcing throws. Can the defense continue to win in the red area. Indiana has checked those boxes all year. It needs two more checks to win it all.
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The turnaround from a title game to a bowl is quick. Health, focus, and turnover margin will be the keys.
Sports culture in Bloomington
This is bigger than one trophy. Indiana is a hoops school by birth, but right now it is a football town. Fans packed Indianapolis in crimson. Alumni are booking flights for Pasadena. The band, the flags, the chants, it all felt new and familiar at the same time. Winning changes identity. And this kind of winning sets roots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is “Indiana football” trending today?
A: Indiana upset No. 1 Ohio State 13 to 10 to win the Big Ten title, capping a 13 and 0 season.
Q: Is Fernando Mendoza the Heisman favorite now?
A: He has a strong case. He led the winning drive, posted top tier season numbers, and has a viral moment.
Q: What did this title mean historically for IU?
A: It is Indiana’s first Big Ten Championship Game win and first outright league title since 1945.
Q: How fast did Curt Cignetti turn this around?
A: In about two seasons. Indiana is roughly 23 and 2 under Cignetti, with back to back coaching honors.
Q: What comes next for the Hoosiers?
A: The College Football Playoff. Indiana holds the No. 1 seed and is positioned for a Rose Bowl berth.
Indiana’s run is not a fluke. It is the product of a clear plan, a breakout quarterback, and a defense that never blinked. The Hoosiers have changed the conversation in the Big Ten. Now they get a chance to change the national one too.
