Welcome to our January 22nd edition of Irish Illustrated Insider.

I'm Tim O'Malley, joined today by Pete Sampson of the Athletic, John Bryce of Football Scoop.

And guys, the modern college football calendar actually brought us not only news this week in college football, but a football game.

It seems like it's been over longer, but IUU in the first really good championship game since about

2017 went to overtime. IU held off Miami. Miami's defensive line did a good job of

bothering Fernando Mendoza, but Fernando Mendoza put in his all-time highlight real clip. Pete, I think we

talked about it. He didn't have a Heisman moment other than clutch throws. Well, he found his

Heisman moment in the championship game. Yeah, he was, I mean, he was outstanding the entire

postseason. I know on this podcast, we talked about, you know, who should win the Heisman?

Is it Pavia? Is it love? Is it Mendoza? And I think we all were kind of more towards love.

I like Pavia, but if you could lock up the Heisman trophy after winning the

Heisman Trophy for Mendoza, definitely did that. Yeah, I mean, awesome story. Props to Pat Coogan,

I think unofficially is the Christian Leitner of college football with the most postseason victories

in the history of the sport.

So props to coogues as well.

That's a great note, Pete.

Mendoza was sensational.

I thought that, you know, he showed he could do stuff even when he got heated up.

Those first couple of playoff games, he had time to stand back there and he ate a chili dog. And this time, he was able to make plays under some duress and to do enough with his legs. And then I just thought that over

the balance of the game, Indiana appeared far more composed, just a little bit better prepared.

And honestly, I thought that you saw Indiana's belief. far more composed, just a little bit better prepared.

And honestly, I thought that you saw Indiana's belief emanating down from its head coach over the course of that game.

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