At a Glance
- 15-0 Indiana meets 13-2 Miami Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Hoosiers own No. 2 scoring offense and defense; outscored foes 94-25 in playoff run
- Hurricanes play title game at Hard Rock Stadium, their home field
- Why it matters: First CFP-era title game for both programs; Indiana chasing first national championship while Miami eyes sixth crown and first since 2001
The College Football Playoff national championship stage is set for Monday, Jan. 19, as the undefeated No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) collide with the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (13-2) inside Miami’s own Hard Rock Stadium. Both programs will make their first appearance in a CFP title game, setting up a historic showdown under the lights.
Indiana’s Dominant Path to the Final
Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers have steamrolled the competition all season, and the playoff has been no exception. Indiana ranks second nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense, numbers that translated into lopsided victories over two marquee opponents.
- Rose Bowl: 38-3 dismantling of No. 9 Alabama
- Peach Bowl: 56-22 rout of No. 5 Oregon
The combined score in those two games: 94-25. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, threw eight touchdown passes and completed all but five attempts across the two victories.
Miami’s Resilient Playoff Surge
Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes earned a controversial first-ever CFP bid, but they have silenced doubters with three straight wins over ranked foes.
- First round: 10-3 defensive slugfest over No. 7 Texas A&M
- Cotton Bowl: 24-14 upset of defending champion No. 2 Ohio State
- Fiesta Bowl: 31-27 thriller over No. 6 Ole Miss
The Ole Miss win featured a roller-coaster fourth quarter with four lead changes and 25 combined points. Quarterback Carson Beck capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive by scrambling for the game-winning touchdown inside the final 20 seconds.
Championship History on the Line
| Program | National Titles | Last Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 0 | – | Seeking first championship in program history |
| Miami | 5 | 2001 | Titles in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991 (shared), 2001 |
How to Watch
Date: Monday, Jan. 19
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT / 4:30 p.m. PT
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN.com and the ESPN app
Site: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Key Matchups
- Mendoza vs. Miami defense: The Heisman winner faces a unit that held Texas A&M to three points and forced timely turnovers against Ohio State
- Beck’s composure: The veteran quarterback must limit mistakes against an Indiana defense that has allowed 25 points total in two playoff games
- Home-field energy: Miami will feed off a partisan crowd, but Indiana’s balanced attack has produced 94 points in its last two games
What’s at Stake
A victory would:
- Give Indiana its first national championship in any sport since men’s soccer in 2012
- Extend Cignetti’s remarkable turnaround after taking over a program that went 3-9 two seasons ago
- Deliver Miami its first title since the 2001 BCS championship and sixth overall
- Make the Hurricanes the first team to win a CFP title in their home stadium
Key Takeaways
- Indiana enters 15-0 and has outscored opponents 94-25 in the playoff
- Miami’s defense has been the catalyst, but the offense delivered in the fourth quarter against Ole Miss
- Fernando Mendoza has thrown eight TDs with only five incompletions in two CFP games
- The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium
