Two wins from a Cig-natty (patent pending)
Upstart Hoosiers punish blue blood Alabama in every conceivable way; on to Oregon in the semifinals.
MY COUCH, Ind. – I can’t believe what I’m watching. IU, the second losingest program in college football history, is kicking the ever-loving crap out of Alabama, winner of seven national titles and owner of the third-most program wins in history. It’s not even a contest, IU running the ball at will – including six early rushing yards from Fernando Mendoza, whose gait inspired Kirk Herbstreit to opine that he runs “like a baby giraffe” – passing it whenever it seems appropriate. Defense? More of the same. Virtually impenetrable.
Think about that sentence: IU is kicking Alabama’s backside.
In football.
This is real. This is real life, not some crazy figment of a fevered imagination. The Hoosiers are headed toward a College Football Playoff semi-final rematch with fifth-seeded Oregon next week at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, two wins from winning a Cig-natty (patent pending). After six straight teams with the first-round bye lost their games – four last year and Ohio State and Texas Tech this season – IU showed why they’re undefeated and ranked No. 1, crushing nine seed Alabama, 38-3, Thursday at the Rose Bowl in soggy Pasadena, Calif.
