CFP National Championship Bracket 2026 Odds and Guide for Miami vs. Indiana

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) has been one for the ages. The entire football season was filled with remarkable storylines, but the bracket has unfolded with thrilling games and no shortage of surprises.

Heading into the regular season, few could have predicted that Indiana would emerge as the No. 1 team in the country. That's exactly what transpired, though, as the Hoosiers won the Big Ten, claimed the No. 1 seed in the tournament, and steamrolled Alabama and Georgia to get to Monday's championship game.

Miami, meanwhile, barely sneaked in as the No. 10 seed. Yet, the Hurricanes beat Texas A&M, handed Ohio State a convincing loss, and barely outlasted Mississippi to reach the final round.

With Monday's matchup looming, here's what you need to know about the CFB Championship and its participants.

2025-26 CFP National Championship Game

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10. Miami vs. 1. Indiana

When: Monday, January 19

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami

TV and Live Stream: ESPN and ESPN app

Line: Indiana -8.5

Over/Under: 47.5

Moneylines: Indiana -320 (bet $320 to win $100), Miami +280 (bet $100 to win $280)

*Consensus odds from Action Network

Miami Hurricanes (10-2)

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Miami QB Carson Beck

Miami entered the CFP amid controversy. Despite being ranked behind Notre Dame—a team the Hurricanes beat at the start of the season—heading into the final rankings, Miami leapfrogged the Irish as the bracket was set.

"Once we moved Miami ahead of BYU, we had that side-by-side comparison," CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek said, per Brad Crawford of CBS Sports. "...The one metric we had to fall back on was the head to head."

While one can certainly argue that Notre Dame deserved to be in the tournament—realistically, over Alabama—the committee got it right by putting Miami in the field. Losses to Louisville and SMU stand out, but the Hurricanes got stronger late in the season and have looked championship-caliber in the playoff.

Coach Mario Cristobal has forged an impressive roster that cleanly outplayed a Buckeyes squad many believed was better than last year's championship team. Led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, Miami's fast, physical, and aggressive defense is capable of keeping Indiana in check—though cornerback Xavier Lucas's first-half suspension for targeting will loom large.

Offensively, the Hurricanes are led by senior transfer Carson Beck, who won a pair of championships as a backup at Georgia. While Beck and the offense were up and down throughout the regular season, they've delivered in the playoff. Beck led a 75-yard drive and scrambled for the go-ahead touchdown late in regulation against Mississippi.

Miami may be the underdog, but it cannot be taken lightly.

Indiana Hoosiers (13-0)

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Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

The rise of Indiana under coach Curt Cignetti was one of the better feel-good stories of the 2025 season. However, the Hoosiers have consistently shown that they're more than just a good story.

Indiana did play close games against Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State during the regular season. However, it reached the Big Ten Championship with an unblemished record, then outlasted Ohio State 13-10 to win the conference title.

And while the direct comparison of matchups against the Buckeyes adds to Miami's resume, the Hoosiers have looked like an even better team since beating Ohio State.

Cignetti has largely built a roster out of experienced transfers, and it has shown in the playoff. Indiana has simply looked bigger, faster, and more physical against its opponents, beating Georgia and Oregon by a combined score of 94-25.

Defensively, the Hoosiers have a terrific defensive front, a sticky secondary, and a penchant for winning on third downs. Sustaining drives will be difficult for the Hurricanes, who may need to break big plays to put up points on Monday.

Offensively, Indiana is led by Heisman winner and presumptive No. 1 NFL draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. The Cal transfer had an efficient and impressive campaign during the regular season but has been absolutely surgical during the playoff.

If the Hoosiers can keep Miami's vaunted pass rush at bay, Mendoza will have a chance to finish his collegiate career with another memorable performance and a perfect season.