Indiana and Mendoza’s statement win & one player who clearly should win the Heisman – CFB Newsletter
Find out what you missed from Week 7 of college football
Indiana makes a statement against Oregon
Imagine telling someone in 2023 that Indiana would be capable of knocking off a top-five team on the road. What sounds like fiction is now fact in the current college football landscape. So much for the big brands blowing past everyone else in the sport.
Indiana proved they’re a legit Big Ten championship and national title threat with their 30-20 victory over Oregon on Saturday. Leading into the week, every shot possible was launched at head coach Curt Cignetti. Many doubted if they had the talent to compete with a team like Oregon. Others questioned if they had the physicality to win along the line of scrimmage. And the assertion that Indiana couldn’t win big games because of last year’s failures was brought up constantly.
All of those concerns were dispelled, and Indiana deserves your respect. Arguably, the most critical driving force for the program’s advancement is its latest round of transfer portal additions. While they bolstered their running back room with Roman Hemby and Pat Coogan, the most essential addition was adding quarterback Fernando Mendoza from Cal.
Our Oregon writer, Brentley Weissman, recapped the game and shared praise for the Hoosier quarterback.
“The QB1 battle was in Eugene, and there was a clear winner. Mendoza was nearly flawless, besides one interception. He got the ball off on time, delivered accurate passes, and was lethal in the pocket. Moreover, his legs were a weapon as he continuously picked up yards on the ground on key downs. He was phenomenal in this game and is the top QB in the nation.” — Weissman
Mendoza’s stat line of 215 yards with one touchdown and one interception doesn’t do justice to how he played. As Weissman pointed out, he made numerous crucial key plays that set up his team to succeed.
The average casual fan likely wasn’t inundated with who Mendoza was as a player because many of his games were buried in the late time slot on Saturdays. However, his name started to rapidly gain traction over the summer as NFL Draft experts dug up his film and realized he had untapped potential that was almost being wasted at Cal.
His path resembles that of former Miami star and 2025 first-round pick Cam Ward. From unheralded recruit to projected first overall pick, Mendoza’s impact for Indiana is what will help them continue to win games.
Mendoza’s natural feel for touch, timing, and playmaking is something many college quarterbacks can’t grasp. As Cignetti’s squad continues to bolster its resume, Indiana will need Mendoza to continue to shine if it wants to silence more of their doubters.
Ty Simpson’s case for the Heisman grows
Ty Simpson proved once again that he should be the current leader for the Heisman trophy.
Alabama outlasted Missouri yesterday with a 27-24 victory on the road that required their quarterback to make multiple clutch throws. As he’s done all season, Simpson stepped up when he was called upon and delivered.
Winning the Heisman trophy isn’t just about gaudy stats from loaded box scores. It’s about elevating your team when they need you the most. In three straight massive games against Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Missouri, Simpson has done precisely that. He’s rifled the ball without hesitation into lanes many quarterbacks would be too timid to challenge.
Our Rob Gregson captured the specific play that defined Simpson’s fantastic performance.
“Here it is, 4th and 8 on the road, with everyone and their brother ready to write you off if you lose. But what did Simpson do? He subtly rolls the pocket to gain some width, sets his feet, and throws a touch pass like he was playing pitch and catch in his backyard. And the craziest thing is that it has become commonplace. His ability to anticipate, stay poised under pressure both in terms of pass rush and game circumstance, and deliver is second to none in college football right now.” —Rob Gregson
The key detail to acknowledge is that everyone assumed Alabama’s season was over after their opening game loss to Florida State. The whole team looked unmotivated as they were punched in the mouth by the Seminoles. Unjustifiably, Simpson was lumped in with his entire team when people discussed the poor play by the Crimson Tide. In that loss, Simpson felt like he was the only player inspired to keep fighting.
Since that game, Simpson has clearly been the rallying point for this program. As he’s fearlessly attacked opponents, the mentality of his team has matched his intensity. To reiterate: true Heisman trophy winners are marked by the way a play elevates their squad. Even with many quarterbacks shining in college football, no player has sparked an improvement the way Simpson has.
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