Breaking Down Indiana, Oregon's Rosters by Recruiting Ranking Amid 2026 CFP Bracket Semifinal

No. 1 Indiana engineered a stunning blowout over No. 5 Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal, with the Hoosiers beating the Ducks 56-22 in the Peach Bowl on Friday.

The Hoosiers have a tremendous amount of talent on both sides of the ball, but they weren't highly regarded in high school compared to the other three CFP semifinalists, as Fox College Football noted.

Of note, Hoosiers quarterback (and Heisman Trophy winner) Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star class of 2022 prospect via the 247Sports Composite list. The Cal transfer's high school star status didn't matter whatsoever as he amassed two more touchdown passes (five) than incomplete passes (three).

Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (no stars) was Mendoza's top target with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kaelon Black (two stars) led the rushing attack with 63 yards and two scores.

Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds (three stars) had a pick-six on the first play from scrimmage. Edge Daniel Ndukwe (three stars) led a ferocious pass rush with two sacks.

Those players stood out in the box score, but this was a total team win all the way for a bunch of prospects that weren't highly regarded out of high school and have since dominated on the collegiate stage.

They combine to form an incredible story behind the leadership of second-year head coach Curt Cignetti, who is authoring a tremendous chapter in college football history.

Indiana now heads to the national championship, where Miami awaits on Jan. 19.