Overview
- No. 1 Indiana faces No. 10 Miami on Jan. 19 in Miami Gardens, Florida, for the national championship.
- Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads Indiana after throwing 41 touchdowns with elite efficiency, adding eight TDs on 86% completions in the playoff.
- Miami revamped its defense under coordinator Corey Hetherman, jumping to No. 4 in defensive FEI and leading the ACC in total and scoring defense.
- Indiana strengthened its run game and offensive line with targeted transfers, notably RB Roman Hemby and center Pat Coogan, the Rose Bowl MVP.
- Freshman Malachi Toney emerged as Miami’s primary offensive playmaker, while RB Mark Fletcher Jr. has fueled the postseason against an Indiana unit ranked No. 2 nationally against the run.