Overview
- Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, airing on ESPN with multiple alternate viewing options.
- No. 1 Indiana enters 15-0 after routing Alabama 38-3 and Oregon 56-22, seeking the program’s first national title and a 16-0 season.
- No. 10 Miami reached the final as the last at-large selection and won three road playoff games over Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss to earn a championship shot at home.
- Sportsbooks list Indiana around -8.5 with a total near 47.5, and coach Curt Cignetti dismissed the spread as “a set up” while stressing respect for Miami’s strengths.
- Key matchup features Mendoza against a Hurricanes pass rush led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, with Miami cornerback Xavier Lucas suspended for the first half for targeting.