Indiana, Miami battle for college football national championship: What to know

Joel Klatt and Colin Cowherd discuss Indiana’s pursuit of being the first 16-0 team ever in CFB, Miami’s odds of causing an upset, whether or not the Big Ten has surpassed the SEC, and how Alabama QB Ty Simpson will fare in the draft.

It all comes down to this.

The Indiana Hoosiers will look to finish the season undefeated as they take on the Miami Hurricanes, who will hope to end a lengthy title drought for one of college football’s storied programs, in the national championship on Monday night.

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Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti pose with the trophy after a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The Hoosiers have never won a national title and rarely played in prestigious bowl games throughout the program’s history. This season has been unlike any year the Hoosiers have ever had. Indiana has a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Fernando Mendoza leading the charge while putting together Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl wins on their way to the final game.

Indiana will meet an extremely hungry Miami team. The Hurricanes have a long history of greatness in college football, having won national championships five times. But it’s been a long time since they’ve played for a title. Miami got into the College Football Playoff by the skin of their teeth and have made the most of it.

Miami topped Texas A&M in the first round of the CFP, defeated the defending champs in Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, then stunned Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes will be playing in their home stadium – Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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