Overview
- The top-seeded Hoosiers enter 15-0 seeking the first 16-0 season, while No. 10 Miami rides a seven-game win streak after knocking off Ohio State and Ole Miss.
- Indiana routed Alabama and Oregon in the playoff, leads the nation with a +21 turnover margin, and features Mendoza’s 3,349 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.
- Miami hosts the championship in its home venue with a remodeled defense under coordinator Corey Hetherman, rising to No. 4 in defensive FEI and powered by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
- Key matchups center on Miami QB Carson Beck and RB Mark Fletcher Jr. against an Indiana defense starring CB D’Angelo Ponds, with Hoosiers backs Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby supplying balance.
- Unverified social-media accusations of Indiana cheating were rejected by Hoosiers players and an opposing coach, and a Power Four executive deemed large-scale hacking highly unlikely.