The No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers are about to play in their first game in the College Football Playoff on Thursday against the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
It’s a huge game that only a few probably envisioned Fernando Mendoza and his team playing in before the 2025 college football season.
But the Hoosiers defied expectations, beating every team they crossed paths with in the regular season before taking down the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship game.
During Tuesday’s Rose Bowl media day, Mendoza was asked about how he’s able to handle the gravity of the moment, as the Hoosiers prepare for the showdown against the Crimson Tide.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Mendoza said of a message he believes defines his team’s situation, via the Big Ten Network.
“Although we’re the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, we have all these high expectations. It’s the first time Indiana has ever done this,” continued the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
“At the same time, we’re grateful and we want this opportunity. This is what we’ve been working for the entire offseason.
Alabama offers a formidable challenge for Mendoza and the Hoosiers, who will enter the CFP quarterfinal matchup with a spotless 13-0 overall record. But Indiana has also proven itself over and over again this season, with wins over the likes of the Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State.
