Fernando Mendoza Eyed by Raiders Fans with No. 1 NFL Draft Pick as Indiana Routs Oregon in CFP

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has added another dominant win to his resume ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

Mendoza recorded five touchdowns to lead the Hoosiers to a 56-22 rout of Oregon in Friday night's Peach Bowl.

Mendoza went 17-for-20 with 177 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and no interceptions in the win over Oregon.

He also recorded six carries, including a 21-yard gain, to help the Hoosiers clinch the semifinal victory.

The victory allowed Indiana to clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff national championship game while potentially boosting Mendoza's stock ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

Mendoza is projected as the No. 1 pick in the latest Bleacher Report mock draft. Fans of the Las Vegas Raiders are ready to see him in NFL after Friday night's dominant performance.

Mendoza led the NCAA in touchdown passes (36), yards per attempt (9.6) and passing efficiency rating (184.7) through the first 14 games of Indiana's season.

He could now cap off his college career by leading the Hoosiers to a national championship against Miami when the CFP title game kicks off Jan. 9.

The Raiders haven't landed on a franchise quarterback since Derek Carr's final season in Las Vegas in 2022.

After trying to replace Carr with Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew II over the following two seasons, the Raiders turned to Geno Smith ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Smith and the Raiders went on to finish the season 3-14, potentially leaving the franchise in need of a new answer under center for the fourth time in as many offseasons.

If Las Vegas ultimately targets Mendoza at the top of the upcoming draft, the Raiders will hope that means they've finally landed on a long-term answer at quarterback.