The Oregon Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning are set to play the program’s third game in the 2025 College Football Playoffs, but Friday’s matchup will be the toughest of the 2025 season.

This year’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will feature two of the best teams within the Big Ten Conference, including the Ducks and the No. 1 in the nation, the Indiana Hoosiers. Luckily for Lanning and his squad, this is not the first time Oregon has faced the likes of head coach Curt Cignetti.

Earlier this season, the Hoosiers made a trip out to Eugene, OR, in Week 7. While many believed that the Ducks would be able to take care of business on their own home turf, this was not the case.

Indiana’s offense was firing on all cylinders during the contest, with running back Roman Hemby tallying 70 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback Fernando Mendoza also took care of business, throwing for 215 yards and one touchdown. And with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throwing two interceptions, the Hoosiers walked away with a massive 30-20 victory.

Now, the Ducks will be seeking revenge on Friday night.

If the Week 7 contest did not convince you that Mendoza is the best quarterback in college football this season, the veteran playmaker is coming off an incredible performance against the Alabama Crimson Tide, as he completed 14 of his 16 pass attempts for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

Mendoza is clearly the main catalyst for the Hoosiers’ offense. Still, the former Cal quarterback has received help this year from his dynamic pass-catching duo of Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. Both wideouts have combined for 116 catches for 1,576 yards and 25 touchdowns.

In addition to the Hoosiers’ outstanding passing attack, Hemby and Kaelon Black have formed a nasty one-two punch on the ground this year, totaling 1,905 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games.

As for Indiana’s defense, linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones have been the main pass rushers for the Hoosiers this year, combining for 15 sacks. The Hoosiers’ stout efforts within the trenches are perfectly complemented by strong play from the secondary unit. The combination of safety Louis Moore and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds has limited offenses to 178.9 passing yards per game in 2025.

One of the key reasons why the Ducks’ offense has been successful this season is due to the team’s incredible run game, led by Noah Wittington and Jordon Davison. The duo has combined for 1,469 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns over the course of the season.

However, Indiana’s defense ranks second amongst all FBS schools in rushing yards allowed per game this season (73.7). Oregon failed to move the ball on the ground against the Hoosiers earlier this season, with Wittington and Davison tallying 86 yards on 13 carries.

In order for the offense to overcome Indiana’s red-hot defense, it’s clear that Moore must play a clean game from the pocket and limit any type of mistakes. The junior quarterback threw two interceptions in the previous matchup against Indiana, so giving him quick, easy looks to start the contest will help him get into a groove.

On defense, the key to limiting the Hoosiers’ versatile offense is to remain disciplined throughout the entire game.

Indiana’s heavy RPO system allows for the run game to receive clean looks on the ground, while simultaneously opening up the passing game for Mendoza. Oregon’s leading tackler, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, must continue his success against the run this season, in addition to the secondary taking away Sarratt and Cooper through the air.