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Robert Griffin III names the best team in college football

No. 2 Indiana's 27-24 win at Penn State on Saturday drew a strong endorsement from Robert Griffin III, who used X to praise the Hoosiers.
Patrick Previty|
Robert Griffin III
Robert Griffin III | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

No. 2 Indiana's 27-24 win at Penn State on Saturday drew a strong endorsement from Robert Griffin III, who used X to praise the Hoosiers and preview an eventual collision with Ohio State. "Indiana found a way to win on their off day on the road at Penn State without their leading receiver in TDs. They continue to show the ingredients of a championship level team. Indiana is the best team in the country. The showdown between Indiana and Ohio State will feed FAMILIES," Griffin posted.

The result — Indiana's first road win over Penn State — helped them stay perfect on the season and showcased their resilience under HC Curt Cignetti. With top wideout Elijah Sarratt sidelined, quarterback Fernando Mendoza led a 73-yard drive in the final two minutes, finishing with a toe-tap touchdown to Omar Cooper Jr. with 36 seconds left. Mendoza threw for 218 yards (1 TD, 1 INT) and added a rushing score while Charlie Becker posted a team-high 118 receiving yards. Linebacker Aiden Fisher also returned to action with two big takeaways (one fumble recovery and one INT).

Griffin has been out front on the Hoosiers for weeks. On Oct. 21, he said on FOX Sports that "Indiana's the best team in the country," pointing to their comprehensive win at Oregon and general dominance. Indiana also holds a late-game victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Fernando Mendoza
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

The College Football Playoff committee's first rankings this week placed Ohio State at No. 1 and Indiana at No. 2, as both teams are on course to meet in the Big Ten Championship game.

Indiana didn't play its cleanest game — Mendoza was sacked three times and the Hoosiers briefly trailed 24-20 — but the final sequence was full of the championship ingredients that Griffin mentioned. The final drive to win the game included a composed quarterback who was ready for the moment, multiple contested catches when it was needed most and a highlight-worthy ending.

Indiana is 10-0 and 7-0 in the Big Ten after the win, with the Oregon road win being their biggest resume builder. Ohio State (9-0, 6-0) took care of business against Purdue on Saturday with a dominant and complete 34-10 win. QB Julian Sayin threw for 303 yards as WR Jeremiah Smith led the team in yards with 137 on 10 catches.

Jeremiah Smith
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Ohio State's remaining schedule

  • Nov. 15: vs. UCLA — Columbus, OH
  • Nov. 22: vs. Rutgers — Columbus, OH
  • Nov. 29: at Michigan — Ann Arbor, MI

Indiana's remaining schedule

  • Nov. 15: vs. Wisconsin — Bloomington, IN
  • Nov. 28 (Fri): at Purdue — West Lafayette, IN

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Patrick Previty
PATRICK PREVITY

In addition to writing for On SI, Patrick is also a site expert for Canes Warning and has previously written for outlets such as Betsided, Orlando Magic Daily and Southbound and Down. He serves as a sideline reporter for ESPN+, covering UCF athletics and the Big 12 Conference. In 2024, he hosted a live, on-site UCF football pregame show that aired on ESPN+. Patrick has interviewed numerous figures in the college sports world, ranging from players to UCF’s athletic director. Recently, he traveled to Mobile, Ala., to cover the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he spoke with multiple NFL Draft prospects. Patrick also hosts coverage of the Orlando Magic for Digest Media on YouTube and has become one of the leading voices on the team in the region. Patrick also helps run the social media department for The Voice of College Football Network, focusing on breaking news and digital storytelling. Patrick previously spent time at CNN in the sports department, where he assisted with CNN’s World Sport show and Bleacher Report updates for morning programming. Hailing from the Tampa Bay Area, Patrick is a lifelong fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, Orlando Magic and UCF Knights.

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