The No. 2 ranked Indiana Hoosiers are set to host the Wisconsin Badgers in a crucial matchup as they aim to complete their second consecutive perfect home season. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has only one year under his belt at Indiana, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., a four-year veteran of the team, will lead the charge in what could be their final home game together this Saturday.
Indiana enters the contest with an impressive record of 10-0 and 7-0 in conference play. For the second year in a row, the Hoosiers find themselves on the verge of clinching a playoff spot and potentially reaching the Big Ten Championship game. Head coach Curt Cignetti remains focused on the task at hand, dismissing the idea that the narrative surrounding their perfect season will distract his players. “I doubt any of them are thinking about the end right now because everybody understands sort of where we”re at and what”s possible,” he remarked. “I think we”re on a little bit of a mission here, and that”s really been the focus.”
Mendoza has become one of the standout players from last year”s transfer portal, choosing Indiana partly to reunite with his younger brother, Alberto. Leading the league with 31 total touchdowns, he has emerged as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy and is seen as a potential top pick in the upcoming NFL draft. In contrast, Cooper has had a tougher road, experiencing seasons with a combined record of 7-17 before helping lead the Hoosiers to a remarkable turnaround.
Indiana is looking to extend its school record home winning streak to 14 games against Wisconsin, which currently holds a 3-6 overall record and 1-5 in the conference. Cooper played a pivotal role in Indiana”s recent successes, including a crucial touchdown catch in the final minute that secured their first-ever win at Penn State, allowing them to shed the title of America”s losingest football program.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin”s head coach Luke Fickell is acutely aware of the challenges posed by Indiana following his team”s recent victory that ended an 11-game losing streak against Power Four opponents. “I don”t even know if you asked a coach from within (the program) like if they could pinpoint exactly what it is,” Fickell stated regarding Indiana”s resurgence. “There”s a lot of things that have gone into it. Great coaching is one of them, great quarterback is another.”
As for Wisconsin, the pressing question is who will start at quarterback on Saturday. The Badgers began the season with Billy Edwards Jr. as their starter, but injuries have plagued the position throughout the year. With Danny O”Neil and Hunter Simmons sharing starting duties, Fickell has had to turn to first-year quarterback Carter Smith, who struggled in his last outing but managed to secure a narrow victory.
This matchup marks Wisconsin”s sixth game against a ranked opponent this season, having already faced teams such as No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Alabama. Despite their struggles, linebacker Mason Reiger expressed a desire to take on tough competition, stating, “I”d rather play the best five teams in the country than play none of them. It”s a challenge, sure. It”s not easy to play these good teams, but at some point in college football you want to play the best teams because to be the best, you”ve got to go against the best.”
