With Nicolas Radicic drilling a field goal to stretch Indiana's lead to 27-21 with exactly 2:00 remaining on the clock, the Hoosiers bullied their way into the history books with their first ever National Championship win.
It was a historic night for the whole of college football, as they witnessed a team go 16-0 and win the National title for the first time ever.
The perfect fairytale end to their rags-to-richers story.
UNDEFEATED INDIANA WINS ITS FIRST EVER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 20, 2026
FROM OVERLOOKED TO UNDENIABLE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rzKLFTuGfA
Fernando Mendoza’s 12-yard "airborne" touchdown with 9:18 left gave Indiana a 10-point cushion and effectively ended the Miami comeback before it could even start.
More than that, it officially validated a blueprint that Oxford will now be desperate to replicate.
The win proved that a 'basketball school' with a 'production-over-potential' portal strategy can easily outpace the entire SEC.
What Indiana's win means for Ole Miss and the whole of the SEC
Indiana’s 16-0 run is a structural wrecking ball for the SEC’s prestige recruiting pitch.
For decades, SEC programs like Ole Miss sold recruits on the idea that the only path to a ring—and the NFL—ran through the South. With a natty and an undefeated season, Indiana changed that narrative forever.
They made it clear that the SEC bluebloods are not the only ones to fear in the National Championship run from now on.
SEC Coaches like Pete Golding who were so-close to having their shot at the National title will keep that in mind the next time they swing for the natty.
If Trinidad Chambliss' lawsuit turns out to be in his favor, and the Rebels make a run for the National Championship yet again in 2026, they will know exactly whom to watch out for and the North Star they could follow to get there.