Indiana throttles Oregon, clinches berth in CFP title game - ESPN

ATLANTA — Undefeated Indiana's already impressive march through the College Football Playoff gained momentum as its dominant defense created three first-half touchdowns with turnovers, Fernando Mendoza threw five scoring passes and the Hoosiers overwhelmed No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal Friday night.

No. 1 Indiana (15-0, No. 1 CFP) will face No. 10 Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami beat Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal Thursday night.

Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the past two seasons. Few teams from any conference can compare with the Hoosiers' seasonlong demonstration of balanced strong play.

Led by Mendoza and the defense, Indiana is making a case to be considered among the top teams in history.

Though Miami will be home for the national championship game, Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and Miami native, will enjoy a homecoming following an almost perfect game against Oregon. Mendoza completed 17 of 20 passes and the five touchdowns, including two to Elijah Sarratt and a 36-yarder to Charlie Becker.

Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead the Indiana running game.

Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was doomed by the three first-half turnovers while also being short-handed by the absence of two of its top running backs.

The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to 9 rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held out with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had rushed for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, already was listed as out with a collarbone injury.

Backup running backs,