Overview
- Kickoff is Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with streaming on ESPN Unlimited for the College Football Playoff National Championship.
- Indiana enters 15-0 behind Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and is roughly an 8.5-point favorite, with ESPN Analytics giving the Hoosiers about a 68% win probability.
- Miami ruled out tight end Elija Lofton, listed cornerback Damari Brown and defensive end Cole McConathy II as questionable, and will be without cornerback Xavier Lucas for the first half due to a targeting penalty.
- Analysts highlight Miami’s defensive line, led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, as a potential edge against Indiana’s front, with PFF grading the Hurricanes as the nation’s top pass-rush and among the best in run defense.
- Local ties loom large as multiple figures from Christopher Columbus High School—including QB Fernando Mendoza, Miami coach Mario Cristobal, and assistant Alex Mirabal—feature prominently, with Cristobal recalling his high school line-mate, Fernando Mendoza Sr.