There’s no question Miami football’s biggest test lies ahead in the national championship game against No. 1 Indiana.
The Hurricanes have been impressive throughout the College Football Playoff, seeing Rueben Bain and the defense dominate in a hostile environment at Texas A&M and shut down defending champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Carson Beck answered the call against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, throwing and running for touchdowns in a back-and-forth fourth quarter to get Miami back to the title game for the first time since the 2002 season.
To win that sixth championship, though, UM will need to take down Indiana, which hasn’t been challenged since its 13-10 win over the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game. Miami native Fernando Mendoza has more touchdowns in two CFP games (eight) than incompletions (five). The ‘Canes will have home-field advantage, and the Hoosiers had two close calls on the road this season, with Elijah Sarratt streaking for the game-winning TD in the final 90 seconds of a 20-15 win at Iowa and Omar Cooper making the catch of the season with 36 seconds left to give Indiana a 27-24 win at Penn State.
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How Miami vs. Indiana match up for national championship game
Let’s walk through the four most crucial factors to the Hurricanes walking away with a win and a their sixth national championship.
1. Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor must harass Fernando Mendoza
The pass rush has anchored Miami’s defense all season, but Ole Miss nearly came away with a win in the Fiesta Bowl in large part because of its excellent pass protection. The Hurricanes’ star edge rushers combined for 7½ sacks over the first two CFP games, but Mohamed Toure was the only one to bring Trinidad Chambliss down. Bain was still credited with a game-high five QB pressures, according to PFF, but he’ll have to do more than just hurry Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman winner ranked among the least-pressured quarterbacks in the nation this year, and when he was, PFF rated him the fourth-best passer among regular starters. He can’t make those throws if he’s picking himself off the grass.
2. Malachi Toney needs to star again
Miami’s electrifying freshman was kept largely quiet over the CFP (apart from a 55-yard punt return and his 11-yard touchdown against Texas A&M) until the Fiesta Bowl. Toney had 92 yards on seven touches, highlighted by his 36-yard score off a screen in which he smartly cut across the field to stay protected by a wall of oncoming blockers. He also made what was nearly the catch of the night when he leaped to his left, reached back to make a one-handed grab, then came maybe an inch from landing his right foot inbounds on Miami’s final drive. The 18-year-old is easily their most gifted player on offense; the Hurricanes will need him to beat the Indiana machine.
3. Miami has to win time of possession
They can’t win on Toney’s star power alone. Thanks to a staggering 51 rushes for 191 yards, as well as an 11-for-19 performance on third downs, the Hurricanes controlled the ball for more than 41 minutes in the Fiesta Bowl. That kind of discrepancy is impossible to repeat (Ole Miss ranked 104th in TOP), but the Hoosiers also like to hold onto the ball: Miami and Indiana rank fifth and sixth in the nation with about 33 minutes of possession per game each. Mark Fletcher and CharMar Brown grinded their way to 3.7 yards per carry vs. Ole Miss. They aren’t likely to outperform Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, but the size discrepancy on the offensive line should help the Hurricanes’ push at the line of scrimmage.
4. Carson Beck can’t panic his way into interceptions
It’s no doubt that Beck has earned his NIL money throughout the playoff. He’s completed 67% of his passes for 509 yards, four touchdowns and, most importantly, only one interception. And that pick wasn’t even his fault as Ole Miss’ Kam Franklin made a great play to deflect his ball high into the air at the end of a lengthy third-quarter drive. The quarterback has taken great care of the ball since throwing six picks across Miami’s two losses. He’ll need to do it again a stout Indiana secondary that’s forced 17 interceptions (tied for eighth in the nation), including a pick-six to kick off its Peach Bowl rout of Oregon. The Hoosiers will pressure Beck like he hasn’t been all season; how he responds will determine whether the ‘Canes can avoid the Ducks’ fate.
What Miami football coaches, players have said about Indiana
Miami coach Mario Cristobal said “the Heisman was earned and well-deserved” by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a fellow alumnus of Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. “They dominated just about every game, and any time a game was close, he was a big reason why the outcome was what it was, because of his level of play.” Cristobal said Mendoza was always ahead of the defense with footwork and accuracy that makes him “a complete difference-maker for their program.”
Miami vs. Indiana history
The Hurricanes and Hoosiers have played each other only twice in their history, with both games coming in Miami during the 1960s. Indiana won 28-14 on Oct. 23, 1964, while UM got its revenge with a 14-7 win on Oct. 21, 1966.
When does Miami football play next?
The Hurricanes will be the de facto host against the Hoosiers in the national championship game Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and air on ESPN, with streaming options including Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 4 biggest things Miami needs to beat Indiana in national championship
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
