The top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers are now the unlikely darlings of college football. “I think a lot of people on our team, whether it's coaches, players, or staff, have all been overlooked,” says Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The undefeated Hoosiers just upset powerhouse Ohio State to win the Big Ten championship. Next up: the national championship game on New Year’s Day.

Coach Cig delivers the first ever Heisman Trophy for the Indiana Hoosiers. (🎥: ESPN)

Hoosiers Explained: The REAL Meaning Behind Indiana's Nickname!

“The Heisman's not a player award. It's really a team award,” says Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first Heisman Trophy winner in Indiana University history. #heisman #heismantrophy #fernandomendoza #iufootball

Curt Cignetti was a little-known coach when he was hired to take over the downtrodden Indiana Hoosiers football program. Even longtime broadcaster Don Fischer, who has covered Indiana football for more than 50 years, says he had never heard Cignetti’s name. Mere weeks on the job, tired of the “who-are-you?” questions, Curt Cignetti told reporters:

Diego Pavia finished second in the Heisman trophy voting to Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, where IU, under head coach Curt Cignetti, is ranked number one in the country. Pavia was not pleased with losing out and posted on Instagram ‘F all the voters’ even though he received 189 first-place votes. Afterwards video leaked of Pavia in a New York City club where a placard held up an ‘F Indiana’ sign as nodded along and smiled to the cameras. Imagine if this was Sheudeur Sanders or ev