Overview
- Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, where Miami becomes the first BCS/CFP-era team to play for a title in its home stadium.
- Top-seeded Indiana enters 15-0 seeking the sport’s first 16-0 season in more than a century and is priced around -8.5 with a 47.5 total and a money line near -340.
- Indiana reached the final after routing Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl; No. 10 Miami advanced by beating Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss.
- Heisman quarterback Fernando Mendoza has 41 TDs and six interceptions, including eight TDs without a pick in the playoff, against a Miami pass rush led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor that has combined for 19 sacks.
- Indiana coach Curt Cignetti dismissed the spread as "a set up," as attention centers on Miami’s trench strength and an opening-half suspension for Hurricanes defensive back Xavier Lucas.