The No. 5 Oregon Ducks are set to face the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff semifinal, known as the Peach Bowl, on January 9, 2026, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This highly anticipated matchup comes after Oregon secured a decisive 23-0 victory over No. 9 Texas Tech, while Indiana advanced with a commanding 38-3 win against No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
Indiana’s success in the Rose Bowl was propelled by their Heisman-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza demonstrated his prowess by completing 14 of 16 pass attempts for 192 yards and three touchdowns, all without a turnover. The Hoosiers established a firm grip on the game early, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime and showcasing their offensive dominance. They outgained Alabama by over 200 yards (407 to 193) and converted nine of their 14 third-down attempts.
The performance of the Indiana defense was equally impressive, ranked as the second-best in the nation. They effectively contained Alabama’s rushing attack, limiting them to just 23 yards on 17 carries. In contrast, Alabama’s quarterback Ty Simpson, a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, exited the game early due to an undisclosed injury. Before his departure, Simpson completed 75% of his passes, totaling 67 yards.
This upcoming clash marks the second meeting between Oregon and Indiana this season and the fifth encounter in their history. The Hoosiers previously triumphed over the Ducks 30-20 in October, which contributed to their first-ever Big Ten Championship and secured their top ranking in the playoff. That loss remains Oregon’s only defeat of the 2025 season and their first at Autzen Stadium since 2022.
Interestingly, Indiana makes history as the first team to win in the College Football Playoff’s 12-team format after receiving a bye week, breaking a previous trend where teams with byes were 0-6 in quarterfinal matchups.
As fans prepare for this thrilling semifinal, the stakes are high for both teams. The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN. This Peach Bowl promises to be a pivotal moment in college football, showcasing top talent and intense competition.
