Miami Faces Undefeated Indiana In Historic CFP Title Clash

All eyes in the college football world are locked on Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is set to kick off between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers. It’s a matchup brimming with storylines, history, and a dash of Hollywood glitz, as both programs chase glory on Monday night, January 19, 2026. The stakes? Nothing less than the ultimate prize: the CFP Trophy and a place in college football lore.

No. 1 Indiana, unbeaten at 15-0, is riding a wave of momentum and seeking its first national championship in program history. Their opponent, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (13-2), is determined to capture its sixth title—and its first since 2001—right in front of a home crowd. For the Hurricanes, this is more than just another shot at a title; it’s a chance to make history by playing for a national championship in their own stadium, a feat no team in the BCS or CFP era has accomplished.

The journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable for both teams. Indiana’s road to the championship has been paved with dominance. Earlier this month, the Hoosiers dismantled Alabama 38-3 in the CFP quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl, marking their first bowl win since 1991. They followed that up with a commanding 56-22 victory over Oregon in the Peach Bowl, leaving little doubt about their credentials as the nation’s top team. With their physical prowess on both sides of the ball, Indiana has looked every bit the juggernaut, and oddsmakers have noticed—Indiana enters the game favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points, with a moneyline of -310.

Leading the charge for Indiana is Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. The star quarterback, who grew up near Miami, returns to South Florida for the most important game of his life. The personal connection runs even deeper: Mendoza’s father, Fernando Mendoza Sr., was teammates with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. It’s a full-circle moment that adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already compelling contest.

On the other sideline, Miami’s path to the title game has been a testament to resilience and clutch performances. The Hurricanes had to win three games away from South Florida just to earn the right to play for the championship at home. Their postseason run began with a hard-fought 10-3 win over Texas A&M, followed by an upset of reigning national champion Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl. But the moment that truly defined Miami’s campaign came in the Fiesta Bowl, where quarterback Carson Beck orchestrated a dramatic comeback, scoring the go-ahead touchdown with just 18 seconds left to secure a 31-27 victory over Ole Miss. That win punched Miami’s ticket to the title game and electrified a fan base hungry for another taste of glory.

For Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, the stakes are personal and historic. A former Miami offensive tackle (1989-92), Cristobal could become the first coach in the AP poll era to win a national title as both a player and a coach at his alma mater. According to ESPN, “Cristobal played at Miami (1989-92) as an offensive tackle.” Should Miami prevail, they would also become just the third two-loss national champion in FBS history, joining LSU (2007) and Ohio State (2024).

Indiana’s story is equally compelling. The Hoosiers entered the season ranked No. 20 in the AP preseason poll, and now stand on the brink of becoming the lowest-ranked preseason team to win the national title since Auburn pulled off the feat in 2010. Their turnaround has been hailed as one of the most unlikely in college football history. If Indiana emerges victorious, it would mark the first time since the 1940s that the Big Ten has won three consecutive national titles, following Michigan and Ohio State’s triumphs in the previous two seasons. It would also be only the third time a conference has won three straight titles with three different schools.

The game is not just a sporting spectacle—it’s a cultural event. Hollywood stars like Dwayne Johnson, Mark Cuban, and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo (famed for “Rudy” and “Hoosiers”) are expected to be in attendance, adding a touch of celebrity sparkle to the proceedings. ESPN is banking on big ratings, and with so much on the line, the network is pulling out all the stops. Fans can watch the game live on ESPN, with alternate viewing experiences available on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the ACC Network. For those preferring to stream, options abound: Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, Sling Orange, and ESPN Unlimited all offer access, with many services featuring free trial periods for new subscribers.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT), and the weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the low 60s, and a gentle 10 mph breeze from the south—ideal conditions for a championship showdown. The natural bluegrass surface at Hard Rock Stadium is primed for a fast-paced, physical contest.

Fans eager to witness history in person still have a chance to score tickets, with last-minute deals available through outlets like StubHub, Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek, some offering exclusive promo codes for discounts. It’s shaping up to be one of the most-watched college football games in years, as the Hurricanes and Hoosiers vie for national bragging rights and the coveted CFP Trophy.

On the field, all eyes will be on the quarterback duel between Miami’s Carson Beck and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Beck, the hero of the Fiesta Bowl, has shown nerves of steel in crunch time, while Mendoza has dazzled all season and is the favorite to be named game MVP, with odds at -270. Beck isn’t far behind, listed at +650, highlighting the high stakes and the potential for a star-making performance.

Betting markets have leaned heavily toward Indiana, with 77% of the action backing the Hoosiers at the current spread. Yet, as any college football fan knows, the magic of the postseason lies in its unpredictability. Miami, playing in front of a raucous home crowd, is eager to defy the odds and add another chapter to its storied history.

As the teams take the field under the lights at Hard Rock Stadium, the anticipation is palpable. Will Indiana complete its perfect season and claim its first-ever national title, or will Miami seize the moment and deliver a storybook ending for Cristobal and the Hurricanes faithful? With kickoff fast approaching, one thing’s for certain: college football fans are in for a championship night to remember.