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Indiana–Miami Title Game Nears at Hard Rock Stadium With Hoosiers Favored

Media day yielded a firm Curt Cignetti denial of NFL interest, alongside fresh Miami secondary updates that could shape personnel.

Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti speaks with the media as the Indiana Hoosiers football team arrives for the College Football Playoff at Miami International Airport on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
Indiana fans pose in front of an Art Deco lifeguard stand on South Beach, repurposed in the colors of Indiana University and the University of Miami, before the College Football National Championship game on Jan. 19.
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Overview

  • No. 1 Indiana faces No. 10 Miami on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Miami Gardens, with the Hoosiers listed as 8.5-point favorites despite the Hurricanes playing in their home stadium.
  • Indiana enters 15-0 behind Heisman Trophy quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who downplayed his Miami homecoming to emphasize the Hoosiers’ collective run.
  • Citing his long-held preference for the college game, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said he is not pursuing NFL opportunities as speculation swirled during the playoff run.
  • Pro Football Focus rates Miami’s pass rush as the nation’s best, highlighting Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor in a trench matchup that analysts say could test Indiana’s protection.
  • Miami reported DB Damari Brown as a gametime decision, OJ Frederique as fully healthy, and confirmed DB Xavier Lucas must sit the first half due to a targeting penalty, potentially affecting the secondary rotation.