(Photo: Paramount Plus)
Saturday Spotlight
(7) Indiana Hoosiers at (3) Oregon Ducks
Indiana (5-0):
They were such a feel-good story in 2024, and Curt Cignetti was deservedly named Coach of the Year. As good as they were last year, I believe they’ve climbed even higher this season. I’m all for teams that come out of nowhere and surprise people—it gives fans something to talk about. But I’m also a firm believer in the saying: “What you did last year was nice, but let me see you do it again.” So far, Indiana is proving they belong. They’re currently ranked seventh in the nation, and another playoff appearance looks like a strong possibility. In 2024, the offense was a balanced unit that picked its spots in the passing game. This year, Fernando Mendoza has come in and elevated the entire group. He plays with a phenomenal feel for the pocket, has an electric arm, and consistently hits his receivers in stride—or slightly overthrows them in a way that only his guy can make a play. Just a few weeks ago in Bloomington, the Hoosiers dominated the Fighting Illini, hanging 63 points on them with Fernando throwing five touchdowns. This is a team that plays for each other and leaves everything on the field for their coach. This afternoon, they’ll face a major test in Eugene at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon (5-0):
Coming into the season, the two Big Ten teams expected to dominate were Penn State and Ohio State. Let’s take a look: Ohio State is doing just that, led by the best defense in the country and still the defending champs until someone knocks them off. Meanwhile, James Franklin’s Nittany Lions started the year ranked No. 2, but after back-to-back losses, they’ve fallen out of the rankings entirely. Meanwhile, there was little national attention paid to the team that entered the Big Ten last season and won the conference in their first year—Oregon. Some teams respond to being overlooked with talk; others just go out and prove it. Oregon has done the latter. Their win against Penn State a few weeks ago told me a lot—mainly, never doubt this team. That was a massive win on the road, in a white-out game, and on the East Coast—far from home—for a West Coast team. Winning that in double overtime was no small feat. The Ducks are the real deal and could be one of the final four teams playing for a national title. This team reflects Dan Lanning’s identity—tough, focused, and hungry. After a bye week, they’re back on the field today to host a surging Indiana squad.
Indiana X-Factor: D’Angelo Ponds
A key piece for this Indiana defense is expected to return for today’s showdown in Eugene. D’Angelo Ponds is NFL-ready, and I’m excited to see how he matches up against Oregon’s pass-catchers. He makes things look effortless—sometimes it appears like he doesn’t even break a sweat out there. His awareness, instincts, and ball skills separate him from most defensive backs in the country. His performance today could be crucial in slowing down the Ducks’ passing attack.
Oregon X-Factor: Kenyon Sadiq
This Oregon offense is full of weapons—but there’s only one Kenyon Sadiq. He’s not your typical tight end. Kenyon has burst, speed, agility, and the versatility to line up all over the field and be a matchup nightmare. He’s not just a receiving threat either—he’s a key blocker in the run game, which is essential at his position. Look for the Ducks to get him involved early and often.
Final Thoughts:
It’s Week 7, and we’ve got ourselves a top-10 Big Ten matchup! Indiana barely survived their last battle on the road against Iowa, while Oregon needed double overtime to escape Penn State in Happy Valley. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both of these teams in the CFP conversation come December. One of Indiana’s biggest keys today will be pressuring Dante Moore and not giving him time to throw. Oregon is the most disciplined and efficient team Indiana has faced this year. When facing a team like that, protecting the ball and forcing mistakes is always critical. Oregon’s strong defensive front will challenge Indiana, so winning in the trenches and executing the RPO game will be key. On defense, the Hoosiers must limit Oregon’s third-down conversions while converting their own on offense. As for Oregon, it’s all about setting the offensive tone early. They’ll want to come out aggressive, control the tempo, and make Indiana play from behind. Disrupting Mendoza’s timing with pressure is crucial. Can Oregon also establish the run? If they win the battle up front, it’ll open up the play-action game and force Indiana’s defense into tough decisions. I like Oregon to defend their home turf in what should be a great game.
