Marquette, MI – January 19th, 2026 – The season began in late August with teams across the country battling for a spot in the College Football Playoff. As Selection Sunday arrived, controversy surrounded the final berth, with Miami and Notre Dame emerging as the leading candidates. The Hurricanes ultimately earned the nod, thanks in part to their Week 1 victory over Notre Dame, a 27–24 thriller in Miami. Miami finished the regular season 10–2, while Notre Dame rebounded from an early loss to win its final ten games, but the head-to-head result proved decisive.
Miami is led by veteran quarterback Carson Beck, now in his seventh collegiate season and one of the most experienced players in the sport. Beck has thrived on the biggest stages, compiling a 15–3 career record against AP-ranked opponents. The Hurricanes opened the playoff on the road against Texas A&M in one of college football’s most intimidating environments. In a defensive struggle tied 3–3 entering the fourth quarter, Beck found Malachi Toney for a touchdown with 1:44 remaining, sealing a hard-fought 10–3 win.
On New Year’s Eve, Miami faced defending national champion Ohio State. The Hurricanes defense delivered a statement performance, shutting down one of the nation’s top offenses in a convincing 24–14 victory. The semifinal matchup against Ole Miss turned into an instant classic, as both teams traded scores in a shootout that produced 857 total yards and 58 points. With just 18 seconds left, Beck scrambled into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, sending Miami to the national championship.
Awaiting them is Indiana, completing one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history. Led by a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers went undefeated in the regular season and stunned Ohio State 13–10 in the Big Ten Championship to earn the No. 1 seed. Indiana dominated the postseason, dismantling Alabama 38–3 in the Rose Bowl and overpowering Oregon 56–22 to reach the title game.
For the first time in the BCS and CFP era, Miami will play for a national championship in its own home stadium. Indiana is chasing its first national title and a perfect season, while Miami seeks its sixth championship and first since 2001. With history on the line for both programs, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown. Catch all the action live on ESPN as the game kicks off at 7:30!
