2026 cbhsports College Football Playoff National Championship Preview

Image Courtesy: WRTV

Monday, January 19
College Football Playoff National Championship (Miami Gardens)
10.Miami (13-2) vs. 1.Indiana (15-0)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
Miami returns home for the College Football Playoff National Championship game against undefeated No. 1 Indiana/No. 5 Oregon after defeating No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27 in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes’ offense controlled the time of possession with offensive playmakers Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr. helping quarterback Carson Beck defeat the Rebels. Toney’s 36-yard touchdown on a bubble screen and Beck’s game-winning 3-yard touchdown run were the difference in the fourth quarter against an Ole Miss team that advanced to the semifinals without former head coach Lane Kiffin.

The Miami defense could have closed Jan. 8’s thriller much earlier with a victory as their secondary dropped four different potential passes that could have been intercepted from Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. But the defensive effort was good enough to help them advance to the program’s first national championship game since Jan. 3, 2003 at the Fiesta Bowl.

Indiana dominated No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. The Hoosiers’ defense forced three first half turnovers setting up great field position for quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the offense. D’Angelo Ponds’ pick six on the opening play from scrimmage and two forced fumbles led to 28 points.

Indiana’s Mendoza, who threw five touchdowns, and Ponds who contributed six tackles in addition to his interception, will both return to their hometown of Miami for Monday’s game after winning offensive and defensive MVP at the Peach Bowl. The Hoosiers will play for their first national championship game against the Hurricanes in their home stadium.

Beck, who went 23 for 37, passed for 268 yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and a fumble. While he did score the game-winning touchdown, he cannot expect to turn the ball over against Indiana and lead Miami to another victory. Hoosier linebackers Aiden Fisher, Isaiah Jones, and Rolijah Hardy will look to get to Beck and pressure him so that he does not have an easy time against their defense.

Mark Fletcher (22 carries for 154 yards) and CharMar Brown (14 carries for 54 yards and 1 TD) helped Beck in the backfield against the Rebels. Wide receivers Keelan Marion (7 catches, 114 yards, and 1 TD) and Toney (5 catches, 81 yards, and 1 TD) also were pivotal in Thursday’s victory. Fletcher, Brown, Marion, and Toney will be trusted to do even more against an Indiana defense that is one of the best in the country. Defensive backs Louis Moore, Jamari Sharpe, and Ponds will deal with the Miami playmakers.

The Hurricane’s skilled pass rushers, including Akeem Mesidor, Mohamed Toure, and Rueben Bain Jr., will have to affect Mendoza, who has been the most efficient passer in the country. Mendoza’s trusted weapons include Kaelon Black in the backfield and Elijah Sarratt, Charlie Becker, and Riley Nowakowski down the field.

Miami defensive backs Jakobe Thomas and Keionte Scott will attempt to stop Black, Sarratt, Becker, and Nowakowski from having successful days. Both Thomas and Scott have been key in the secondary for the Hurricanes and now they will face their biggest challenge of the postseason against the Hoosiers.

In a home game for Miami where they will be considered the “road team” because of being the lower seed, they will face their biggest challenge against the top seed Indiana in the national championship. The Hoosiers beat No. 9 Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl 56-22. The Hurricanes have been underrated their entire run to the national championship game but they will finally fall at the hands of the Hoosiers. Indiana and Miami may battle for a half or three quarters but the Hoosiers will win their first College Football Playoff National Championship trophy under Curt Cignetti.

Projected Score: Indiana 38, Miami 28