Indiana is going for its first national championship in school history while Miami is trying to snap a streak without a championship that dates back to 2001.
If the Hoosiers win, not only will they cap one of the best seasons in modern college football history, they’ll extend a Big Ten title streak to three seasons after Michigan’s win in 2023 and Ohio State’s victory a season ago. Miami, meanwhile, would complete an improbable run to the title after the Hurricanes were the final team in the 12-team field.
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Here’s how to watch the national championship game and here’s everything you need to know. (Scroll down for live updates.)
CFP title game: No. 1 Indiana (15-0) vs. No. 10 Miami (13-2)
With Indiana coming in as a significant favorite, Miami’s best shot may be leaning on a defensive line that has been a dominant playoff force. The Hurricanes have been able to beat up opposing offensive lines so far, but this Indiana offensive line is better than any line that Miami has faced in its three playoff games. And leading the charge on offense is the Hoosiers’ Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza, who has been his usual outstanding self in these playoffs.
Miami’s chances of an upset also hinge largely on Malachi Toney breaking a big play or two. Can QB Carson Beck get the ball to his star freshman receiver while also avoiding any big mistakes? And can the Miami run game gain enough ground on a tough Indiana front seven? Those are the questions that will likely decide the national championship on Monday.
Live48 updatesMon, January 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 7:11 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers just blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown!
Nick Bromberg
Is it a coincidence that DB Xavier Lucas is back on the field after he had to sit out the first half because of his Fiesta Bowl targeting ejection?
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 7:02 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
After the promising start to the second half, we’re back to a field-position game.
Miami has it back at their own 7-yard line.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:58 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers made it out to near midfield on the ensuing possession and Elijah Sarratt was open for a catch, but he dropped the pass and they had to punt it back over.
The Canes have it back at their 11 with all the momentum in this game.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:49 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Just like that, the momentum in this game has shifted as Mark Fletcher burst through Indiana’s defense for a 57-yard touchdown. Game on in Miami!
Indiana 10, Miami 7
Nick Bromberg
Mark Fletcher Jr. sparked the Hurricanes in the first round against Texas A&M. Can he do it again tonight?
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:45 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Well, Miami overcame the bad penalty and delivered another sack on Fernando Mendoza to force a punt. The Canes will have it back at their own 37.
Miami’s Rueben Bain is showing out.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:42 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers were going to be facing a fourth and long, but there was another costly penalty against the Canes that will keep Indiana’s opening drive of the second half alive.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:40 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
We are back for the second half and the Hoosiers have the ball at their own 25.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:39 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
It wasn’t a great opening half for either quarterback. We’ll see if either one can get things going late in the game.
Ben Fawkes
The Indiana Hoosiers closed as 7.5-point favorites for the game and -4.5 in the first half against Miami (FL). A 10-0 lead at halftime means a cashed ticket for those on the Hoosiers -4.5 in the first half.
The full-game line is up to -15.5 at BetMGM.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:16 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers got to midfield but Fernando Mendoza’s Hail Mary hurl fell incomplete along the sideline.
Indiana will have the ball back when the second half begins.
Nick Bromberg
That clank means Miami kicker Carter Davis is just 3-of-8 on field goal attempts across Miami’s four CFP games.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:13 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hurricanes are still scoreless as the first half ticks toward a close after Carter Davis doinked a field goal off the right upright.
It’s still 10-0 with just over 30 seconds left.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:06 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Now the Canes are over midfield and nearing scoring range after a chunk-play pass from Carson Beck to CJ Daniels went for 25 yards.
There’s just 2 minutes left in the first half.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 6:05 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Canes were facing a fourth-and-short deep in their own territory and decided to go for it and Mark Fletcher got just enough for the first down.
What a gutsy call by Mario Cristobal and Miami!
Nick Bromberg
14 plays. 85 yards. Miami is getting pressure at times on Fernando Mendoza. But Indiana has answers.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers are the first team to find the end zone and it’s on a short TD run by Riley Nowakowski!
That capped off an impressive 14-play, 85-yard drive.
Indiana 10, Miami 0
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:53 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Facing a third-and-8, Indiana’s Kaelon Black burst through the line for a 21-yard gain and now the Hoosiers are on the doorstep!
Indiana thought it had a touchdown on the next play on a completion from Fernando Mendoza to Charlie Becker, but Becker stepped out on the sideline inside the 10.
Mon, January 19, 2026 at 5:46 PM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Hoosiers have moved out past midfield after several completions by Fernando Mendoza and a defensive pass interference call on Miami.