Victory Lap!

The College Football Playbook: The Hoosier Holiday Edition!

Leesl: 16-0. Let that sink in for a second, Andy. While so many were busy talking about “The U” and Miami’s home-field advantage, the Hoosiers went all the way to the first-ever 16-win national title. And I’m officially the College Football Queen of this household, and honestly, the crown fits perfectly. 👑

Andy: So, while you are practicing your royal wave, as expected Indiana was incredible. But can we talk about the fact that it was a dogfight? Miami really had them on the ropes in the second half. If a couple of those third-down conversions went the other way, we’re having a very different conversation.

Leesl: A dogfight? It was a headhunt, Andy! Let’s be real—the refs must have left their flags in the locker room. Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza, was out there playing with a bloodied lip after a hit from Jakobe Thomas that should have been an automatic targeting ejection. No flag. No review. Just Mendoza spitting blood and leading a 75-yard drive anyway.

Andy: I’ll admit, the officiating was… let’s call it “permissive.” Coach Cignetti was definitely chirping at Holly Rowe at halftime for a reason. But that’s championship football. They let ’em play! And you have to admit, seeing Mendoza—a Miami kid—scramble for that 12-yard touchdown on 4th-and-4 was the play of the year. Even if it broke my heart. 💔

Leesl: And that’s what makes this Indiana team legendary. Mendoza didn’t just win the Heisman; he won the respect of everyone who ever doubted that a “basketball school” could actually reach the mountaintop.

And what a comparison to the other QB on the field! Carson Beck is a one-year rental who didn’t even stick around to shake hands after his interception ended the game. He was out of there before the confetti even hit the turf. Meanwhile, our Fernando was hugging every teammate and celebrating with the fans. One played for the name on the back of the jersey; the other played for the one on the front.

The Final CFB Scoreboard:

The Final Word!

Leesl: Looking back on the full season, from our weekly “surprises and setbacks” to the final confetti shower, I’m struck by how much this sport is about the roots, not just the results. Beyond the 16-0 run, it’s the homecoming parades, the generational alumni tailgates, and that undeniable team spirit that makes college ball feel like a community ritual rather than just a business. My hope is that amidst the chaos of the transfer portal and the looming shadow of NIL money, we don’t lose the heartbeat of Saturday afternoons.

Andy: I’m with you—it’s the magic of the marching bands and the century-old rivalries that no “super-conference” media deal can ever truly replace. The real soul of the game still lives in the fans who show up win or lose because they’re tied to the institution for life. As we head into the off-season, we’re both keeping our fingers crossed that the traditions stay louder than the checkbooks and that the next generation of fans gets to experience the same unbought magic we did.

Now It’s Your Turn! 📣

As we close the book on college ball and look toward the NFL playoffs, we want to hear from you. In this era of big money and shifting rosters, what is the one tradition you refuse to let go of?

Is there a team that is your “heart and soul”—not because of their ranking, but because of the memories they carry for you? Maybe it’s a specific song the band plays, a handshake you have with your dad at the stadium, or a parade through your hometown that feels like time standing still.

Drop a comment below and share your Saturday tradition. Let’s remind each other why we love this game! 👇