IU On Standby: Who Will Face the Hoosiers in Pasadena?
Indiana capped its sensational season by stunning Ohio State in the Big Ten championship and then enjoyed 12 days off before turning to its Rose Bowl opponent. At 8 p.m. Friday, the Hoosiers will learn whether they’ll face No. 8 Oklahoma or No. 9 Alabama. Both teams have beaten a mutual opponent—Wisconsin—and Oklahoma has won the last two matchups with the Crimson Tide. Despite Alabama’s statistical edge, oddsmakers tip the Sooners as slight favorites. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti and quarterback Fernando Mendoza plan to scout both squads before focusing their game prep on the chosen adversary. Meanwhile, Indiana extended key staff contracts and racked up award recognition, including Mendoza’s Heisman Trophy. With two full weeks of opponent-specific practice ahead, the Hoosiers are primed to fine-tune their scheme and chase a Rose Bowl triumph on Jan. 1 in Pasadena.
Look at these Hoosiers treating a national title game like a vacation retreat—massages, yoga mats, maybe even cucumber water? All that’s missing is a beachside DJ spinning “Mission Accomplished.” Now they’re about to swap seminar sessions for film study, like college students finally realizing finals are next week. Poor Cignetti is probably pacing the hallway, flip-chart in hand, screaming, “We need Alabama’s weak link—maybe their punter!” And Mendoza? He’s binge-watching Tide highlight reels like it’s the latest Netflix drop. But hey, nothing says “serious bid for Pasadena glory” like extension contracts and trophy selfies. Mug shot season, baby!
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