Curt Cignetti Says '8.5 Point Spread is a Set Up,' Reacts to Betting Odds for Indiana-Miami CFP Game

No. 1 Indiana is the betting favorite to beat No. 10 Miami in Monday night's College Football Playoff final, but head coach Curt Cignetti isn't underestimating his opponent.

While speaking to SiriusXM's Nicole Auerbach, Cignetti sang the praises of the Hurricanes before declaring that he feels the 8.5 point spread favoring the Hoosiers "is a set up."

Cignetti made it clear that he has the utmost respect for Miami, highlighting their athleticism, size and skills at all three phases of offense, defense and special teams. He also pointed out that the Hurricanes will be playing Monday's national championship game in their home of Hard Rock Stadium, further fueling his belief that his team shouldn't be such a heavy favorite.

However, it's easy to see why prognosticators are leaning toward Indiana to win its first national title in program history. The Hoosiers enter Monday night's game with a perfect 15-0 record and scored a combined 94 points in its two CFP games before reaching the CFP final.

Indiana star quarterback Fernando Mendoza has played at an immaculate level during the playoff, throwing eight touchdowns with no interceptions. The Hoosiers' defense has also been on fire, holding No. 9 Alabama to just three points before shutting down the high-powered offense of No. 5 Oregon in a 56-22 win.

Still, it can be expected that Indiana will be facing a spirited Miami team that will be motivated by being the underdog in Monday night's game. It's clear that Cignetti is hoping to keep the Hoosiers focused on the task at hand before getting ahead of themselves, regardless of what the betting lines say.