Game Details
- Matchup: 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. 1 Indiana Hoosiers
- Date: Monday, 1/19/2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium
- TV: ESPN
Recent History
- Last matchup: October 21st, 1966 – Miami 14, Indiana 7
- All-time series record: Miami 1 win, Indiana 1 win
- The first game played between these two institutions was in 1964
- They will now meet for the third time in history, but will everything be on the line
Miami Hurricanes Outlook
The Miami Hurricanes have reached the national championship for the first time since 2002, and fans have been waiting for this moment to return to the promised land.
Mario Cristobal has led the Hurricanes
on this journey, rebuilding the program to what it once was. His first two years weren’t pretty in Coral Gables, but in his last two seasons, he has had back-to-back 10+ win seasons, and now he is 60 minutes away from claiming the sixth national championship in school history.
Not many people around the country believed in Mario and his vision for the program, but he has built a roster capable of winning the national championship.
Starting with the offensive line, where future first-round pick RT Francis Mauigoa has been the anchor at right tackle for this offense. He is the heartbeat of the offensive line, and they have been physically dominating their opponents all season long, especially in the College Football Playoffs.
Mark Fletcher Jr. has been running behind this offensive line and has been one of the main reasons why Miami has made it this far. The running back has had over 100 total yards in all three CFP games and has been the heart and soul of this offense.
It’s hard to put into words what WR Malachi Toney has been for Miami as a true freshman, but the superstar had an incredible game against Ole Miss last week. Coming off a five-reception, 81-yard, 81-yard, and a touchdown performance to earn the right to play for a national championship, he has been the go-to man in the passing game for OC Shannon Dawson and QB Carson Beck.
Beck has continued to prove his worth during this run at Miami and showed up massively for the Hurricanes against Ole Miss. Throwing for over 260 yards and had the game-winning rushing touchdown to send the Canes to the national championship. His veteran leadership and experience have carried this offense a long way, and he is 60 minutes away from winning the big one.
A few notable offensive players worth mentioning are WR Keelan Marion, who had the best game of his collegiate career last week against the Rebels. WR CJ Daniels has been terrific for the Canes and may be a bit healthier than he was going into Monday’s big game.
On the defensive side, Corey Hetherman’s unit has been phenomenal. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor have been on a generational run for the Hurricanes. The impact they have had on the defensive line game in and game out has been remarkable. If they continue to perform the way they’ve performed in this CFP run, Miami will have a good chance of winning on Monday.
Ahmad Moten Sr. has been a force on the defensive line as well. The interior defensive linemen are big bodies and have been wrecking shop in the run game all season. Armondo Blount, Justin Scott, and Marquise Lightfoot are a few notable names along that line that can be a game-changer on Monday, too.
In the second level of the defense, it’s led by Mohamed Toure and Wesley Bissainthe. They have been violent all season, delivering punishing hits and communicating at a high level. Indiana will try to manipulate them on Monday, so being disciplined will be key for both linebackers.
As for the secondary, Keionte Scott has been the superstar Miami has been loving. The nickel cornerback has been making some of the best plays we have seen in program history. Yes, you read that right. He has been that good.
Scott has been great in coverage and pressuring the quarterback on the nickel blitzes Hetherman loves to dial up. Behind Scott, Jakobe Thomas and Zechariah Poyser have been excellent at the safety positions. Thomas has brought back the old school version of playing safety, delivering hit sticks left and right. Poyser is third on the team in tackles, flying around everywhere. True freshman Bryce Fitzgerald is behind them but still gets plenty of playing time due to his ball-hawking skills. His six interceptions lead Miami, and lead the country for true freshmen.
CB Xavier Lucas will be suspended for the first half of the game on Monday due to the targeting call he received last week against Ole Miss. He has been a good fit for the Canes, but they will need others to step up in his quick absence. Damari Brown is questionable for the national championship and will be leaning toward a game-time decision. He is Miami’s best corner, but he has missed the last few games due to injury. Having him back, even if it’s just for a half, will be big. The Canes will rely on Ethan O’Connor, OJ Frederique Jr, and possibly Ja’boree Antoine.
Miami has been rolling on this CFP run and will look to capitalize on an opportunity right in their backyard. The talent is in abundance, and the coaches have been pressing all the right buttons.
Indiana Hoosiers Outlook
The best team in the country all year has steamrolled its way into the national championship with a 15-0 undefeated record.
HC Curt Cignetti has done a coaching job we have never seen before in any coaching profession. He has transformed that Indiana program in just two seasons and is 60 minutes away from winning the national championship.
It’s been a tremendous story for the Hoosisers.
It starts and ends with the Heisman trophy winner, QB Fernando Mendoza. The local Miami kid from Christopher Columbus High School has been a machine all season. His pinpoint precision and decision-making have been off the charts, as he is the consensus number one overall pick as of now.
Mendoza has thrown for over 3,600 yards and 41 touchdowns. He has thrown only six interceptions and completes over 72% of his passes.
The playmakers around him have been mistake-free and disciplined all year, which makes their team so difficult to beat. They only have six drops all season and have zero fumbles lost this season. The attention to detail and preparation that Cignetti preaches to his team pays off on the field, and they’ve been dominant because of it.
Indiana has a few good pass catchers helping Mendoza, including wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr, Elijah Sarratt, and Charlie Becker. They have been consistent for Cignetti and his offense.
Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black lead the Hoosisers’ backfield and rushing attack. They have combined for nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
Indiana’s defense has been outstanding all season. When you search up the definition of discipline, that unit comes up. Mikail Kamara has been their best pass rusher, totaling 57 pressures, including two sacks. LB Rolijah Hardy leads the Hoosisers in sacks with eight. What’s impressive is that Mario Landino and Tyrique Tucker are interior defensive linemen, and each has seven sacks on the season.
The strength of Indiana’s defense is its secondary, which communicates and executes at a high level. It’s tough to point out just one player because they all move together and make plays as a team. There are no busts in their coverage defensively, and they have been making crucial plays up to this point. D’Angelo Ponds is the one who highlights the secondary and cornerback room.
What’s at Stake
- Returning to the glory days of winning national championships: The Hurricanes are 60 minutes away from officially busting down the door and being the powerhouse it once was in the college football landscape.
- Securing Six: Defeating the Hoosiers will fill the void of all Miami fans and secure its sixth national championship in program history.
- Legacy: Being a national champion at the University of Miami would have players being remembered forever. Having the team remembered forever. And for the players who have made a significant impact and possibly won the national championship, they will earn the right to have their names etched across the stadium alongside some of the other greats in Hurricanes history.
Prediction
It all comes down to this.
The Miami Hurricanes are 60 minutes away from glory. The fans, who have been through so much pain and defeat, are so close to tasting what the glory days were.
National outlets are already writing the obituary for the Canes. They are debating whether this Indiana team is already better than the 2019 LSU team that won the whole thing.
The game hasn’t been played yet, and there is all this bulletin board material that I know is fueling the Canes right now.
Indiana has been the best team in the country all season. Mendoza has been a robotic machine that has been perfect, and turning that program around. The defense has been stout and showed up in big moments.
With that being said, just analyzing the games they have faced with the same amount of talent as Indiana, they have struggled and been in close games.
The Hoosiers will be facing a roster just as great as theirs and a coaching staff just as good, too. Not to mention that Corey Hetherman worked for Curt Cignetti and knows his system better than most.
So, with both rosters being ultra-talented and playing at a high level, I’ll fall back on what I have been doing to predict and analyze these games.
What a wise (and the greatest college football coach of all time) man once said:
“Mass kicks ass.”
Final Score Prediction: Miami 30, Indiana 23
