Autzen Audibles: DuckTerritory's Oregon athletics podcast · 247Sports, Oregon Ducks, Oregon Football, Oregon Ducks Football, Oregon Basketball, Oregon Recruiting, Oregon sports

Indiana-Oregon rematch in the CFP semis from the Hoosiers’ side

·25 min

Host Eric Skopil is joined by Jared Kelly of Peegs.com, who covers Indiana football, to preview the College Football Playoff semifinal rematch between Oregon and Indiana. This episode examines the rematch from the Hoosiers' perspective, analyzing how both teams have evolved since their October meeting. Jared Kelly argues that Indiana's road win over then-top-five Oregon in October was the program's defining confidence-building moment, serving as a launching pad to an undefeated season and a Big Ten title. He notes that both head coaches, Kurt Cignetti and Dan Lanning, acknowledge the difficulty of beating a team twice in one season. The conversation details how Indiana has maintained its standard despite massive achievements, including a dominant Rose Bowl victory over Alabama and a win over Ohio State for the conference championship. A key focus is quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who is considered a program-defining figure and a perfect ambassador for Indiana. The analysis highlights the emergence of receiver Charlie Becker, who was barely used in the first matchup but has become a major weapon, exemplified by his performances against Ohio State and Alabama. Kelly explains how Indiana's defense has sustained its high level despite losing two productive starting defensive ends, Kellen Wylie and Steven Daly, to season-ending injuries, crediting a versatile and schematic-driven system. He points out that Indiana's offensive line, which won the battle against Oregon's pass rush in October, has improved, though it remains vulnerable to aggressive blitz packages, as seen against Penn State and Iowa. The discussion covers Mendoza's underrated athleticism and ability to extend plays, a facet of his game that was on full display against Alabama. Kelly describes the overwhelming Indiana fan turnout at the Rose Bowl and predicts a similar travel advantage for the Hoosiers in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl. He characterizes the team's current mindset as fully locked in on winning a national championship, with players immediately shifting focus from the Rose Bowl win to the Oregon rematch. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending strategic matchup discussion with broader program narrative. This episode is ideal for fans of either team seeking a detailed, opponent-focused breakdown of the semifinal, or for any CFB listener interested in Indiana's remarkable season. Listeners with no stake in the Oregon-Indiana matchup or those seeking pure Xs-and-Os film analysis without program context might find it less engaging.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify