Indiana football 's announcement of College Football Playoff national championship contender Saturday came, partly, because of the way one unit stymied Oregon's high-octane offense.

A Hoosiers defensive unit that produced six sacks, when Oregon had allowed one in five games this season, and 8 tackles for loss with four quarterback hurries and caused once-Heisman Trophy favorite Dante Moore into two interceptions, may be the best in the country.

IU's defensive front has set the standard for offenses expecting to be physical, just ask Illinois before and after its 63-10 loss to IU — the Hoosiers first of two wins against a top-10 team this season, mind you.

Super Bowl-winning offensive guard Aaron Taylor knows a stout defense when he sees one. The former Notre Dame player and a two

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