Miami has an opponent in the National Championship Game — and it comes with a flawless record, a Heisman winner with 305 ties, and a defense that turns mistakes into points.
No. 1 Indiana punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game Friday night, blasting No. 5 Oregon, 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal in Atlanta. Indiana forced three first-half turnovers, including a pick-six just 11 seconds after kickoff. The Hoosiers never let the Ducks breathe.
That result locks in Miami vs. Indiana on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, with the Hurricanes chasing their first national title since 2001.
Miami earned that stage one night earlier, surviving Ole Miss, 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl. Carson Beck capped a 15-play, 75-yard march with a 3-yard keeper that gave the Hurricanes the victory. Beck finished with 268 passing yards and two touchdowns, and used his legs for the biggest points of Miami’s season.
Now, the next matchup reads like a collision between two programs peaking in different ways.
Indiana rides balance and brutality. Fernando Mendoza completed 17 of 20 passes and fired five touchdowns against Oregon, spreading damage across the field while Indiana’s front and secondary swarmed Dante Moore into multiple mistakes. Mendoza also brings a storyline South Florida fans will lean into all week: the Miami native heads home for the sport’s biggest night, but he’ll try to silence the building instead of celebrate with it.
Miami, meanwhile, reaches the title game behind a defense that flipped its identity under coordinator Corey Hetherman and a quarterback who refuses to shy away late. The Canes held Texas A&M and Ohio State to a combined 17 points in the CFP, then controlled long stretches against Ole Miss before Beck went back and forth with the Rebels in the fourth quarter.
Hard Rock adds another twist since Miami gets the comforts of home. The familiar routine, familiar turf, and no cross-country travel. Yet the CFP format still tags the Hurricanes as the “visiting” team because of the seeding. That detail changes sideline logistics and game-day ceremony, even if Miami keeps its home base for prep.
Miami will play for a national championship on its home field for the fifth time, a throwback echo to Orange Bowl glory days. This time, the opponent arrives wearing the sport’s top ranking and a 15-0 record.
One more game decides everything.
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