Indiana football never beats itself. To beat the Hoosiers requires perfection. Nobody's proven up for the challenge — all the way to the national title game.

Indiana's +473 point differential ranks first among schools in the playoff era (hat tip to my CBS Sports colleague Tom Fornelli ). The Hoosiers have bludgeoned opposing teams by an average of 31.5 points per contest. Their last three wins against blue bloods Ohio State and Alabama and new blood Oregon have come by a combined score of 107-35.

The Hoosiers are looking to enter the discussion alongside some of the best national champions of the College Football Playoff era.

Within 11 seconds of Friday night's Peach Bowl, Indiana football cornerback D'Angelo Ponds set the tone for the Hoosiers' convincing victory over Oregon.

These Hoosiers are a dadgum heavyweight. They just knocked Oregon out cold. Pinch yourself, folks, because Indiana is a football powerhouse now.

Christian Academy of Louisville football stars Ja'Hyde Brown and Garyon Hobbs have committed to Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers.