Indiana
National championship game predictions, picks, odds for Indiana vs Miami
Indiana’s Peach Bowl win over Oregon secures national championship spot
Indiana’s impressive victory over Oregon in the Peach Bowl propels them to the national championship game.
Indiana and Miami will face off in the national championship game in a matchup between unlikely foes.
The No. 1 Hoosiers (15-0), ranked No. 19 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, has dominated nearly everyone they’ve faced this season and are coming off a 56-22 win over Oregon and a 38-3 win over Alabama to reach the title game.
Meanwhile, the No. 10 Hurricanes (13-2) are amid an impressive run of their own. After nearly missing out on a College Football Playoff bid, Miami has upset Texas A&M on the road and taken down Ohio State and Ole Miss to set up a bout with Indiana.
The national championship game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where the Hurricanes play their home games. Indiana’s fan base has traveled in droves for its two CFP games, though.
Who’s going to come out on top? Here are the latest odds along with the matchups to watch in the national championship game.
Indiana vs Miami national championship game odds
Odds from BetMGM as of Jan. 12.
Indiana is favored against Miami in the 2025-26 national championship game. Here are the latest odds.
- Spread: Indiana (-8.5)
- Over/under: 48.5
- Moneyline: Indiana -350 | Miami +270
National championship game Indiana vs Miami matchups to watch
Fernando Mendoza vs. Miami pass rush
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been outstanding in the CFP, with eight touchdowns to only five incompletions in two starts against Alabama and Oregon. Miami’s pass rush has been the most dominant in the CFP, though.
The Hurricanes are led by edge duo Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, both of which are projected first-round picks. The duo has 19 combined sacks this season, including 7.5 of which have come in the CFP. Defensive back Keionte Scott has also been a weapon defensively, with two sacks and a forced fumble against Texas A&M and a 72-yard pick-six against Ohio State.
Mendoza has rarely been sped up this season by an opposing defense, and Indiana’s offensive line has allowed 22 sacks this season. If Miami is able to win, it’s likely due to its best two defensive players causing havoc.
Can Carson Beck find success through the air?
Miami quarterback Carson Beck wasn’t asked to do much in wins against Texas A&M and Ohio State, passing for a combined 241 yards with two combined touchdowns. However, he was a huge reason the Hurricanes won against Ole Miss, as he passed for 268 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for a game-winning score in the final seconds of the game.
Beck will have to play similar to how he did against the Rebels against Indiana’s tough defense, which ranks No. 4 nationally in total defense (260.9 yards per game).
Beck, a sixth-year senior, might need to play one of his best games of his career against the Hoosiers, who pair two of the best offensive and defensive units in college football this season.
Indiana receivers vs. Miami secondary
Indiana’s trio of Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr. and Charlie Becker have been next-to impossible to stop in the CFP, and pose a huge challenge with their speed and length.
Sarratt, who stands 6-2, leads the country with 15 touchdown receptions this season and caught two scores against Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Cooper Jr. leads the team with 64 receptions for 866 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, and has been the Hoosiers’ best middle-of-the-field attacker.
Becker, the 6-4 sophomore, has emerged of late as Indiana’s best deep threat. He climbed the ladder for a 36-yard touchdown reception against Oregon, and has gains of 30, 36 and 51 yards in Indiana’s past three games.
Miami has been very solid against the pass this season, ranking No. 17 nationally allowing a passing efficiency of 114.70.
Indiana vs Miami predictions in national championship game
Here are our expert predictions for Indiana vs. Miami in the national championship game:
Austin Curtright: Indiana 24, Miami 23
It’s wild to think Indiana was coming off a 3-9 finish in 2023 when it hired Curt Cignetti, who led James Madison from FCS to FBS during his tenure. The Hoosiers, one of the worst Power Four college football programs historically, have accomplished one of the greatest turnarounds of the modern era, regardless of if they defeat Miami in the national championship.
It won’t be easy for Indiana. Miami is playing its best football at the right time and has the most ferocious pass rush in the sport, holding Ole Miss’ high-powered offense to two touchdowns in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ultimately, I trust Indiana’s veteran roster, along with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has the edge over opposing quarterback Carson Beck. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor will make things tough for the projected No. 1 overall pick, though.
Give me the Hoosiers on a last-second score, resulting in an unprecedented title for the former Big Ten doormat-turned college football power of the future.
Kevin Skiver: Indiana 24, Miami 10
When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, we find out which one of those things is actually true. In this case, the staunch Hurricanes finally budge and Indiana — yes, Indiana — stands atop the college football world when the dust settles.
Picking against Miami hasn’t done anyone any favors to this point, but Indiana has carved out a war path. It has met every stumbling block head-on. A long layover before the Rose Bowl? Not a problem, 38-3 over Alabama. A difficult rematch against Oregon? Try 56-22 in a game that saw Oregon score a garbage time touchdown to even make it that “close.” Fernando Mendoza has been all but perfect, and his offensive line has neutralized everything in front of it.
That brings us to Miami. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are the best pass rushing duo Indiana has seen this year. But Indiana’s Joe Moore finalist line has given Mendoza all of the time he needs and then some to find Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., not even to mention Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby in the running game. It’s pretty simple: Indiana has simply been better than everyone it has played this year. Why should that change in the final game of the season?
Matt Glenesk: Indiana 35, Miami 24
Miami’s swagger and physicality will test Indiana’s seeming invincibility. The Hurricanes’ pass rush will be the key because Fernando Mendoza has been absolutely surgical in two CFP games: eight touchdowns, five incompletions. Read that again. Eight touchdowns. Five incompletions. Miami’s run game should be able to keep the Hoosiers’ offense off the field, but Indiana’s efficiency doesn’t really rely on them needing the ball too much. As part of the nation’s largest alumni base, I can’t pick against Indiana. Having endured years of ineptitude, the layers of scar tissue are starting to heal as belief has turned into expectation. I expect Indiana to win every game now. And yes, that includes a national championship. Is this real life?
What time does the national championship game start?
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The 2026 CFP national championship game is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday, Jan. 19.
Where is CFP national championship game?
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
The national title game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, which is coincidentally the home stadium for the Hurricanes. The venue is also home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
What TV channel is CFP national championship game on?
The CFP national championship game, like the vast majority of the playoff, will air live on ESPN. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Fairfield native, David K. Wells, 69, and his wife Aileen, were found dead inside their home in Newburgh, Indiana, Monday night. Warrick County Sheriff Michael Wilder said that deputies responded to the residence just before 8:00 p.m. after dispatch received a call around 7:40 p.m. from a friend of the family requesting a welfare check. When officers didn’t get an answer at the door, they entered through the back of the home and found the couple deceased. Officers cleared the home and waited for detectives to arrive. Investigators also obtained a search warrant to do a further examination of the residence. Authorities were able to notify family members and conduct interviews to gather additional information. Sheriff Wilder said investigators believe the couple had been dead for less than 24 hours before they were found. He also said there is no indication of any forced entry or an intruder. Sheriff Wilder has not made a formal determination as to what happened. Autopsies for the couple were scheduled for yesterday morning to help determine a cause. David Wells grew up in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1975. He had a long career in television commercial production in Evansville and had more recently operated the Cigar! Cigar! tobacco store in Evansville.
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — Indiana saw a significant decline in veteran homelessness last year, despite the total number of homelessness rising across the state.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual estimation of the homeless population, known as the Point in Time (PIT) count, Indiana saw an 18.7% decline in veteran homelessness in 2025 compared to the year before.
That marked the second-largest decline of any state by percentage.
Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana specializes in assistance for veterans facing homelessness. CEO Emmy Hildebrand told News 8 the formula that’s finding success is the same that works with any at-risk group: housing and wrap-around services.
Hildebrand said that the formula needs support from the state.
“There is no state funding supporting homeless services in our state,” Hildebrand said. “And very little local funding outside Indianapolis.”
Safety net programs have faced budget cuts, with lawmakers eliminating funding for the Housing First program in 2025. It supported organizations helping people secure stable housing.
And housing advocates have criticized Indiana’s public camping ban as essentially making it illegal to be homeless.
HVAF client Terri Massey, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, said the stigma of being homeless was the most difficult challenge to overcome.
“I’m still trying to provide for my kids,” Massey said “I’m (not) out here being lazy or not trying to do better.”
Massey was working, supporting her children, but found herself sleeping in cars and hotel rooms because she didn’t have stable housing. “Going to that work, working 10 hours, leaving, going to sleep in my car.”
HVAF helped place Massey in a permanent apartment. HVAF also placed Massey in a different kind of “bootcamp” years after her time in the military, learning job skills. She’s looking for a job, but thankful to do it from a place she can call home.
“I am beyond grateful and thankful. I literally pray and thank God every day,” Massey said. “Because for the longest I felt like I was alone. And I had to figure everything out by myself. I didn’t.”
It’s estimated that seven percent of Indiana’s homeless are veterans. Hildebrand said there are federal funds for organizations working with veterans, which support HVAF’s programs.
Still, finding permanent housing is a struggle.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, for every 100 extremely low-income households in Indiana, just 34 rental homes are affordable and available.
“There are so many people on the bubble that are just one emergency away from living in their car, staying with friends and family, or living on the streets because we don’t have the appropriate system here in Indiana,” Hildebrand said.
Hildebrand said lawmakers assured her they would work to support homeless services, but she hasn’t seen any drafted legislation that might be introduced in the next legislative session.
Across the country, about one in 25 people experiencing homelessness previously served active duty in the armed forces, according to numbers from HUD. Veteran homelessness declined 56% between 2009 and 2025.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day for July 8th in Northwest Indiana.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, also known as the “orange” level. While not everyone will notice or be effected by the conditions, and while they may not be as severe as recent wildfire smoke events, individuals with asthma, COPD, and other health issues should proceed with caution when exercising outside.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, also known as the “orange” level. (WSBT Photo)
The affected area is all of Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities in the region, especially those near Lake Michigan.
Warm temperatures, mostly sunny skies, and light and varied winds coming off of Lake Michigan are expected to contribute to elevated ozone levels.
To stay up to date on issuances and quality levels in Indiana, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.
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