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.
The Protect College Sports Act, legislation meant to introduce and codify sweeping reforms related to college athletics, passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday morning.
It now heads to the Senate floor.
The bill passed out of committee by a 19-9 vote. Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young voted no, his decision reflecting Big Ten concerns over the bill.
A spokesman for Sen. Young told IndyStar, “Senator Young hopes that additional changes can be made to the bill to address concerns raised by the Big Ten.”
Co-sponsored by Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), the Protect College Sports Act represents Congress’ most substantial success so far in a yearslong effort to bring legislative reform to college athletics. Since before the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders in college sports — including the NCAA, member conferences and schools, and other major players — have lobbied for national solutions to what have become state and regional problems.
Several pieces of legislation have been introduced across the last several years, only to fizzle long before reaching the floor of either chamber. The SCORE Act, introduced last year in the House of Representatives, gained some traction and passed out of committee, but was never brought to the floor.
Which makes Thursday’s news meaningful. Moving the Protect College Sports Act to the Senate floor, while not a guarantee of any outcome, potentially takes the bill past a threshold no other such piece of reformative legislation has yet been able to cross.
Cruz told Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger on Thursday that Cruz believes Sen. Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is committed to introducing the bill to the Senate floor soon.
The bill provides a legal framework for a host of potential reforms and protections for college sports. It grants limited antitrust protection to the NCAA, places limits on certain things including potential conference realignment, builds safeguards meant to protect non-revenue and Olympic sports, addresses potential broadcast rights reforms, and more.
It enjoys significant backing, and not just among leaders in college sports. This week, the NFL, its players’ association, the National Basketball Players Association and Major League Baseball all voiced their support for the bill.
Two key constituencies not in lockstep on the bill voiced their own concerns Thursday.
In a joint statement issued just after 10 a.m. Thursday, the Big Ten and SEC — far and away the two most powerful conferences and arguably two greatest power centers, full stop, in college athletics — suggested they still hold significant reservations over the bill.
“From the outset, we identified a set of essential revisions to the PCSA necessary for the long-term sustainability of college athletics,” the statement read. “We have worked with both majority and minority staff to advance those revisions, which focus on better supporting student-athletes and stabilizing the college sports environment. We continue to believe revisions are needed to secure our support for the bill.
“Despite our sustained engagement and good faith efforts, these critical revisions have not been accepted.”
The statement went on to note the “several Commerce Committee members that share our concerns and support these recommendations.”
Young is one of several members of the committee representing a Big Ten state, including one of three Republicans. He is the only Republican member of the committee whose state contains multiple schools in the conference.
Allowing for those reservations, Thursday’s news is still significant. It marks the first time a bipartisan bill on the subject has reached this point in the Senate and, should it be brought to the floor, it would be the first such legislation to reach that stage, in either chamber.
The bill could be brought to the Senate floor as early as July, though that timeline remains fluid.
(INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE) – The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission voted 3-1 Wednesday to approve a $71 million electricity rate increase for AES Indiana customers.
That is about 37% of what the utility initially requested and lower than a settlement agreement proposed in October.
Neither Gov. Mike Braun nor consumer advocates are happy with the outcome.
“My top priority is affordability, which is why I am deeply disappointed by the IURC’s approval of another AES rate increase,” he said. “Hoosiers have spent years tightening their belts and making tough financial decisions. It’s time for utility companies to do the same.”
Members of the commission didn’t explain their votes Wednesday. IURC Chair Andy Zay focused his remarks on the process.
“There’s a lot of eyes on this order and what we’re doing today,” he said. “What is before you on the floor is a nearly a year’s worth of work, evidence, deliberations, and considerations that bring us to this moment in this decision. None of this was taken lightly. I want to thank my colleagues for the patience and working through this amongst the auspice of affordability, which is certainly a hot topic now, as well as the resiliency, reliability that we see in this increased demand in electricity.”
The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor last year recommended that state regulators deny AES Indiana’s request for a $193 million base rate increase — instead proposing a $21 million reduction in current rates.
“The AES rate order issued today is an outrage and Hoosiers deserve better!” Counselor Abby Gray said in a statement Wednesday. “Governor Braun has made it clear that ratepayer affordability is a priority, far more than just a ‘hot topic’ as described by the chairman of the IURC today. This order fails the governor’s call to overhaul how utilities are regulated in order to lower bills for ratepayers.”
Gray’s office represents Hoosier ratepayers in regulatory cases.
“The order approves a substantial profit margin for shareholders in addition to a rate increase for customers,” she continued. “It even requires ratepayers to pay approximately $3 million to AES lawyers and experts.”
AES Indiana provides electricity service to about 490,000 homes and businesses in Indianapolis and some nearby areas.
The utility originally sought $193 million in rate increases. The previously proposed settlement agreement dropped that to $91 million, while the final, approved settlement agreement lands at $71 million.
Three IURC members supported the increase: Zay, David Veleta and David Ziegner.
Commissioner Bob Deig voted no. A fifth member, Anthony Swinger, recused himself because he worked on the case previously when he was on the consumer counselor’s office staff.
Ben Inskeep, program director for ratepayer advocacy group Citizens Action Coalition, said utilities across the country often ask for a larger increase than they need, knowing that regulators will disallow “roughly half” of it.
“The latest AES Indiana fuel adjustment clause proceeding shows AES Indiana is actually not only earning all of their allowed profit but over-earning by $19 million their return amount,” he said. “They’re already extremely financially successful at this moment in time, so it’s rather bizarre to even get an extra $71 million dollars approved here.”
Inskeep also noted that the increases will fall disproportionately on residential customers over commercial and industrial users.
Brandi Davis-Handy, president of AES Indiana, said the company has maintained some of the lowest rates in the state for more than a decade “through disciplined planning and a focus on efficiency. We applied the same approach here by working closely with stakeholders to make balanced decisions that keep the system reliable, limit customer impact, and align with the state’s energy pillars.”
AES said for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, the increase will be less than $5 per month per phase. Phase one rates will be implemented in July 2026 and phase two rates will be implemented in January 2027.
The final order says the utility “will not seek to implement a change in basic rates and charges as a result of its next base rate case before January 1, 2030.”
A new law, however, requires all utilities to file a multi-year rate case in 2029, though implementation wouldn’t happen until 2030.
Indiana
Indiana AG seeks execution date for death row inmate convicted in 2010 killings of two children
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on Wednesday asked the Indiana Supreme Court to schedule the execution of death row inmate Jeffrey Weisheit.
The filing came just eight days after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in Weisheit’s case.
He was sentenced to death in 2012 for the murders of 5-year-old Caleb Lynch and his 8-year-old sister, Alyssa Lynch, who were killed in a Vanderburgh County house fire in 2010.
In a verified motion filed with the state’s high court, attorneys for the state argued that Weisheit has exhausted all available avenues of review and that no active stay remains in place to prevent his execution.
The state requested that the court set an execution date 30 to 45 days after granting the motion.
“For more than 15 years, the family of these two innocent children has waited for justice,” Rokita said in a Wednesday statement. “A jury lawfully convicted Weisheit and sentenced him to death. That sentence has been upheld through every level of the judicial system. It is long past time to carry out the sentence.”
Weisheit killed the children during the early morning hours of April 10, 2010, according to court records. Prosecutors said he “hog-tied” Caleb and placed railroad flares in the boy’s underwear before igniting them and fleeing the home. Alyssa was also inside the residence when the fire spread through the house, killing both children.
Authorities later apprehended Weisheit in Kentucky after a high-speed chase. Court records indicate he threw a knife at pursuing officers before being taken into custody.
A Vanderburgh County jury convicted Weisheit in 2012 of two counts of murder and recommended a death sentence after finding multiple aggravating circumstances, including that both victims were younger than 12 years old. The trial court subsequently imposed the death penalty.
The case has spent more than a decade moving through state and federal courts.
The Indiana Supreme Court upheld Weisheit’s convictions and death sentence in 2015. His request for post-conviction relief was later denied, and the state’s high court affirmed that decision in 2018.
Weisheit then turned to federal court, filing a habeas corpus petition in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in 2020. The petition was denied in 2022, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the decision last August before rejecting a rehearing request the following month.
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case on June 8.
-
Texas2 minutes agoSweep in the heart of Texas: Twins beat Rangers again
-
Utah7 minutes agoRock Canyon fire doubles in size overnight near Arizona-Utah border
-
Vermont14 minutes agoPossible tornado causes damage in small Vermont town during Thursday’s intense storms – The Boston Globe
-
Virginia17 minutes agoFirst responders train in Blacksburg
-
Washington22 minutes agoWashington State University Vancouver faculty, staff anxiously await details of 15% budget cuts
-
Wisconsin29 minutes agoPresident of Wisconsin’s largest mosque released from ICE custody
-
West Virginia32 minutes agoCommunity Catalyst Grant applications are open through West Virginia First Foundation through June 30 – WV MetroNews
-
Wyoming37 minutes ago250 Portraits self-portrait exhibition now on display throughout downtown Jackson
