INDIANAPOLIS — The road to immortality runs through Atlanta.

On Friday night, the undefeated No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (14-0) will step onto the turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a chance to do what was once unthinkable: punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

But standing in their way is a ghost from their past. The No. 5 Oregon Ducks (13-1) are looking for revenge.

This is a rematch of Indiana's most defining game of the regular season. On Oct. 11, then-No. 7 Indiana walked into Autzen Stadium and stunned the then-No. 3 Ducks, 30-20. That loss remains the only blemish on Oregon's résumé. Since then, the Ducks have been on a scorched-earth tour of redemption, while Indiana has ascended to the throne of college football, capturing the Big Ten title and annihilating Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

Now, the stakes are higher. The lights are brighter. And only one team is leaving Atlanta with their season still alive.

The Road to Atlanta

Indiana: The Perfect Season

The Hoosiers' path has been nothing short of historic. After navigating the Big Ten gauntlet unscathed, including a gritty 13-10 defensive masterpiece over Ohio State in the conference championship, Indiana entered the playoff as the undisputed No. 1 seed.

Any remaining doubters were silenced in Indiana's CFP Quarterfinal vs. Alabama. The Hoosiers dismantled the No. 9 Crimson Tide 38-3 in the Rose Bowl.

Oregon: The Redemption Tour

After the Week 6 loss to Indiana, the Ducks did not fold despite looming matchups at then-No. 20 Iowa, vs. then-No. 15 USC, and at Washington. Oregon survived 18-16 at Kinnick Stadium on a last-second field goal, held off the Trojans 42-27, and never trailed in a 26-14 season-finale victory over the Huskies. Those wins — part of a six-game win streak to close the regular season — essentially guaranteed the one-loss Ducks an at-large bid.

Oregon is playing its best football right now. After pushing their lead to 35 midway through the third quarter in a 51-34 win over No. 12 James Madison in the first round, the Ducks delivered a defensive clinic in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl, blanking Big 12 Champion and No. 4 Texas Tech 23-0.

Tale of the Tape

The Hoosiers average 41.6 points per game compared to the Ducks' 38.1, making them two of college football's elite offenses. However, they put up points in very different ways. Indiana is a machine of balance, efficiency, and ball security. Oregon is an explosive Ferrari relying on big plays.

Key Matchups

The Heisman vs. The Pass Rush

Fernando Mendoza has been the heartbeat of Indiana's dream season. Completing 72.3% of his passes with a 6:1 TD-to-INT ratio, he is the definition of cool under pressure.

The biggest challenge for Mendoza on Friday? Oregon's front seven has woken up. The Ducks have recorded 10 sacks in their last three games (3.3 per game) after totaling 19 through their first 11 contests (1.7 per game). They sacked Mendoza just one time in the October matchup, but if they can move Mendoza off his spot, the dynamic changes.

Dante Moore vs. The "No-Fly Zone"

Oregon QB Dante Moore has played two different seasons. Early on he played like the Heisman favorite, throwing for 14 touchdowns against just one interception through five games. Then came Week 6 and the Hoosiers, a game in which he threw two picks. Over his last nine games, he's passed for 14 touchdowns but has thrown eight interceptions, including three in the CFP (two vs. James Madison, one vs. Texas Tech).

So, what is the biggest hurdle for Moore in the rematch? He faces an Indiana defense coordinated by Bryant Haines that is allowing 10.3 points per game (second behind Ohio State's 9.3). They held Alabama to a field goal. They suffocate passing lanes. Moore cannot afford a single mistake against a secondary that feasts on errant throws and has 17 interceptions.

The X-Factors

1. The Turnover Battle

If you want to know why Indiana is 14-0, look at the turnover margin: Plus-18, tied with Arizona for best in the nation. It is a staggering number. The Hoosiers do not beat themselves. Oregon isn't bad either at plus-9 in turnover margin, tied for 12th in the country. In the October meeting, IU won the turnover battle 2-1.

2. The Coaching Chess Match

Curt Cignetti is now 25-2 over two seasons in Bloomington. He has instilled a culture of discipline and belief that is unbreakable.

Dan Lanning is chasing his first National Title appearance as a head coach. He was Georgia's defensive coordinator when the Bulldogs beat Alabama in the title game played in Indianapolis in 2022. At Oregon, Lanning has the talent advantage on paper, but Cignetti has the schematic advantage based on their last meeting.

3. The Venue

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a fast track, and the roof will be closed — conditions that favor speed, which usually helps Oregon. Indiana didn't have a problem slowing down Ohio State's high-octane offense in the same conditions at Lucas Oil Stadium.

What the Sharps Say

• Spread: Indiana -3.5

• Over/Under: 46.5

• The Trend: The UNDER has hit in four of Indiana's last five games. The public loves the offense, but the money is respecting the Hoosier defense.

The Verdict

The winner heads to the CFP National Championship on Jan. 19 to face either No. 10 Miami or No. 6 Ole Miss.

For Indiana, this is uncharted territory. Two years ago, they were an afterthought. They're now just 60 minutes away from playing for all the marbles. Curt Cignetti has built a machine, and Fernando Mendoza is piloting it with Heisman precision.

Oregon already knows the pain of losing to this team. They have the firepower to win, but until someone proves they can solve the puzzle of the Indiana defense, the smart money stays with the Hoosiers.

We're predicting a nail-biter, with the Hoosiers forcing a late turnover to seal it.

Indiana 27, Oregon 24.

Game Details

• Date: Friday, Jan. 9

• Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET

• Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

• TV: ESPN

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