No Alabama. No Georgia. No Ohio State. The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will crown a first-time champion of the modern era as the #1 Indiana Hoosiers take on the #10 Miami Hurricanes.
Game Information
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- TV: ESPN
- Line: Indiana -7.5
The Juggernaut: Indiana (14-0)
Curt Cignetti's squad has been nothing short of perfect. After destroying Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and obliterating Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers look unstoppable. Led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, their offense is clicking at a historic rate.
The Home Team: Miami (12-2)
Miami enters the title game as the #10 seed, having navigated a gauntlet that included wins over Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. Quarterback Carson Beck, the Fiesta Bowl MVP, has played his best football in the postseason. Playing at Hard Rock Stadium, the Hurricanes will effectively have a home game for the national title.
Key Matchup
Mendoza vs. The "U" Defense: Indiana's passing attack has shredded every secondary it has faced. Miami's defense, led by Rueben Bain Jr., must generate pressure without blitzing to have a chance. If Mendoza has time, the Hoosiers could run away with it.