Rested or rusty? Top four playoff seeds eager to show they are ready as CFP quarterfinals arrive

(AP) — No. 1 Indiana spent several December weeks reveling in the luster of the best season in school history.

They sung the school’s fight song in the confetti celebration following their first Big Ten championship since 1967 and first outright title since 1945. They were featured on “60 Minutes.” They signed their offensive and defensive coordinators to contract extensions. They even flew to New Yorck City and took photos of quarterback Fernando Mendoza and his brand new Heisman Trophy in Times Square.

And now that they know their Rose Bowl opponent after Alabama rallied for a 34-24 victory at Oklahoma, Indiana has spent the past 10 days prepping to prove they’re worthy of holding both the No. 1 ranking and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.

“We understand that just like the Big Ten Championship game, just like any other big games we played this season, this page is now folded, although I will be in the (Heisman) fraternity for the rest of my life,” Mendoza said after returning to campus with the Heisman. “Our focus right now is winning the College Football Playoff. That’s what would make this trophy so much sweeter.”

Last year was the first for the expanded 12-team playoff,...