Miami, Indiana Set to Clash in College Football Playoff Championship

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The stage is set for a thrilling showdown between No. 10 Miami and No. 1 Indiana as they face off in the College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN, with Indiana favored by 8.5 points. This marks the first year of the expanded 12-team CFP, and Indiana is on the cusp of achieving a historic milestone: its first-ever national title. The Hoosiers, led by coach Curt Cignetti, have made a remarkable turnaround since his arrival in 2024. In contrast, Miami is seeking its sixth national championship, its first since 2001. The key to Indiana's success lies in the hands of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner who returns to his hometown to face the team that was once a stone's throw from his childhood home. However, Mendoza will need to be cautious of Miami's formidable pass rusher, Rueben Bain, a first-round NFL prospect who has accumulated an impressive 8.5 sacks this season. Miami's defense will also be without cornerback Xavier Lucas, who was ejected from the semifinals for targeting. On the other hand, Indiana's receivers, Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt, have been unstoppable, each hauling in over 60 catches for more than 800 yards. Indiana's roster boasts a unique characteristic: it has no five-star recruits. As a result, any skill player can potentially make a game-changing impact. This was evident when center Pat Coogan received MVP honors after Indiana's dominant 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Miami's running back, Mark Fletcher, has been a force to be reckoned with, topping 100 yards in two of the Hurricanes' three playoff victories. However, with Indiana averaging over 42 points per game, Fletcher will need to produce a strong ground game and ball control for Miami to stay in contention. The matchup between these two teams marks a new chapter in their rivalry, which dates back to the 1960s. Miami coach Mario Cristobal has a personal connection to the Mendoza family, having been teammates with Fernando Sr. on the Christopher Columbus High School football team in the 1980s. The Hurricanes and Hoosiers have not played since Miami's 14-7 victory in 1966.