Indiana football is one step from the College Football Playoff national championship in one of the most amazing runs in the sport’s history. The Hoosiers (15-0) will play Miami (13-2) for the national title at the Hurricanes’ home field.
The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0) had little success before coach Curt Cignetti arrived in late 2023. IU made the CFP in 2024 and is a powerhouse this season behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The No. 10 Hurricanes (13-2) have won three games for their title shot. Coach Mario Cristobal, a Miami native, played on title-winning Hurricanes teams. Quarterback Carson Beck ran in the winning touchdown in the closing seconds of their semifinal game against Mississippi.
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Who’s favored to win the national championship? Who is favored, Miami or Indiana?
IU is favored by 7.5 points, according to BetMGM.
Indiana football vs. Miami predictions, picks tonight, Jan. 19; College Football Playoff national championship predictions tonight, Jan. 19
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 27-21
“Razor thin. Indiana is the better team all around. What Miami does well, it does better, physical on offense and so disruptive on defense. It’s hard to know how much homefield advantage will factor in here, but it’s probably safest to assume IU will have enough fans in the stadium to make things closer to equal. If that’s the case, I’ll back the team with more matchup advantages, barely.”
Michael Niziolek, Herald-Times: Indiana 38-17
“Indiana football has proven to be an unstoppable juggernaut in the CFP.
“The Hoosiers went from bullying Alabama in the quarterfinals to slamming the door on Oregon’s hopes of winning a rematch between the programs the following week. They dominated those games in all three phases from play 1-150 as their coach likes to say.
“Miami has built up some momentum of its own in the postseason, but the Hurricanes are a No. 10 seed for a reason. They lost a pair of games in the regular season with a roster that isn’t nearly as talent-laden as the last three teams IU has faced.
“Could UM pull off a stunner? Stranger things have happened, but there’s no evidence that Indiana will suddenly make the costly mistakes that have tripped up higher seeds in recent years and that’s what would need to happen here for the Hurricanes to pull out a victory.
“While Miami is playing at home, all the tickets that go to corporate sponsors will likely prevent the crowd from tilting too decisively in either team’s favor. Indiana probably wouldn’t be bothered by a Hurricane-flavored crowd anyway having won this season in some of college football’s toughest environments.
“This is Indiana’s moment and they aren’t going to let it go to waste.”
Pete Fiutak, College Football News: Indiana 27-20
Indiana’s improbable dream will come true with two wonderful late scoring drives to finally breathe easily, but for the first time, it’ll have to deal with a little bit of drama this playoff season.
And then Curt Cignetti will cement himself as pulling off the greatest turnaround in college football history.
Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report: Indiana 20-13
“Miami can match Indiana play-for-play on defense, but the Hoosiers’ deep group of offensive playmakers could be the difference in a tight game.”
R.J. Young, Fox Sports: Indiana wins
“In the age of the College Football Playoff, not far removed from three of the best teams to ever win the national title — 2018 Clemson, 2019 LSU and 2020 Alabama — it can feel hyperbolic to say this team will finish as one of the best teams to ever take the field in a sport that has spanned 156 years. However, given how (coach Curt) Cignetti has totally flipped a program that was once a bottom-feeder into a burgeoning Godzilla, I don’t think it is.”
Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: Indiana covers the spread
“Miami has pulled off several big upsets this season, but I think the run ends here. Give me the Hoosiers to cover and complete an undefeated season.”
Dan Rorabaugh, Palm Beach Post: Indiana 20-14
“It’s hard to picture a more complete team than Indiana, a wild thing to read if you’re a college football historian. The Hoosiers have both the No. 2 offense (42.6 points per game) and the No. 2 defense (11.07 ppg). The Hurricanes have played one (Ole Miss’s offense) or the other (Ohio State’s defense) but no other team boasts both on this level. Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback led the nation in passing touchdowns, but they’re primarily a run-based offense behind Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, ranking 11th in rush yards. Their defense is right up there with Miami’s averaging three sacks a game. There’s nothing IU can’t do.”
John Talty, CBS Sports: Indiana 34-20
“If Indiana plays its game — smart, methodical, without major errors — it should win.”
Is Indiana favored in the national championship game tonight? IU vs. Miami betting odds, spread tonight, Jan. 19
When is the College Football Playoff national championship game?
The College Football Playoff national championship game is 7:30 p.m. ET Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Where is the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026?
The College Football Playoff national championship game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
What channel is the College Football Playoff national championship game on? Where to watch College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 19
Watch the Rose Bowl with ESPN+/Unlimited/Select
College Football Playoff results
First round, Dec. 19-20
Quarterfinals, Dec. 31-Jan. 1
Where is the 2027 CFP national championship?
Las Vegas.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: College Football Playoff national championship favorite, predictions: Indiana vs. Miami tonight, Jan. 19
Reporting by Scott Horner, Zach Osterman and Michael Niziolek, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
