Overview
- The national championship kicks off Monday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
- BetMGM lists Indiana as an 8.5-point favorite with a -350 moneyline and a 47.5 total, and most preview predictions lean toward the Hoosiers.
- Indiana enters 15-0 with dominant postseason wins over Alabama (38-3) and Oregon (56-22) after a rapid turnaround under Cignetti.
- Key matchup factors include Miami’s top-tier pass rush featuring Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor against Indiana’s protection, plus the Hoosiers’ need to slow running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
- NFL draft stakes are high with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza projected No. 1 overall and Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr. viewed as a top-five prospect, among several other draftable players on both teams.