Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza gave up trying to escape the whirlwind he helped create by marching the Hoosiers right back into playoff position with an undefeated regular season on pause during a bye this week.

Mendoza, a transfer from Cal who took over for Kurtis Rourke at Indiana this season, is viewed as a near-certain Heisman Trophy finalist for steering the Hoosiers to an 11-0 start and perfect, 8-0 Big Ten record with only the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket -- a traditional rivalry game with state and conference rival Purdue -- before a chance to play for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis on Dec. 6.

"I never thought I'd be in this moment at this point," Mendoza said Wednesday.

Indiana is No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 1 Ohio State has a chance to pu

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