Indiana is King of College Football

CFP Championship Game – Indiana Beats Miami 27-21

  Jan. 20, 2026 – Miami Gardens, Fl

Frank Coyle / Head scout

The Indiana Hoosiers beat the Miami Hurricanes for their first national championship in college football history. It was a win for the ages as they completed a magical 2025 season going undefeated with a strong victory over the Hurricanes 27-21.

The Hoosiers were not affected by the Miami advantage of playing on their home field for the title game. They have overcome numerous obstacles this season on their way to the national title. They have been the doormat of college football annually, losing the most games in history. Their performance this year stands alone as the most amazing campaign with a perfect season 16-0. They were the first team to achieve 16-0 at this level.

It all changed with the hiring of HC Curt Cignetti in 2024 who began the incredible rebuilding process. The signing of Cal transfer QB Fernando Mendoza was a key addition which transcended them to national power this season. Cignetti built a disciplined, smart team club with sound systems and few mistakes. The team radiates discipline and poise and rarely turns the ball over or get few penalties. That has been the difference in several big games the past two seasons. Mendoza completed a story book 2026 performance, winning the Heisman Trophy in December, beating Ohio State for the Big Ten title and sweep in the CFP series to win the crown. Mendoza made an amazing 4th quarter play on fourth down when he ran a 12-yard QB drew and broke several hard hits to dive into the endzone with the game winning TD. Their aggressive defense completed the victory with a game ending interception of QB Carson Beck by corner Jamari Sharpe with seconds remaining deep in their territory. It completed the most incredible long shot champion in college football history. Indiana now has a national title in football to sit next to their basketball championships. Hail to the Hoosiers!

College Football Playoffs

CFP Championship Game – #1 Indiana vs #10 Miami

  Jan. 19, 2026 – 7:30 pm – Miami Gardens, Fl – ESPN

Frank Coyle / Head scout

Fernando Mendoza Looks to Guide Hoosiers to National Title

Carson Beck Hopes to Direct Another Impressive Miami Win

The CFP title game brings two new teams this year to the national venue in Indiana and Miami. The Hoosiers (15-0) look to complete their magical season and go undefeated through the regular season, Big Ten and CFP playoffs. Heisman trophy winner, QB Fernando Mendoza has been near flawless, dissecting the highly rated Bama and Ducks defense with impressive CFP wins. The Hoosiers are one of the most disciplined and efficient teams in history, under the guidance of HC Curt Cignetti. He has instilled discipline and organization on a club which did not win the Big Ten since 1967. Wideouts, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper have provided big plays and sure handed targets consistently. Their defense has been a cohesive unit which plays sound disciplined football forcing offenses to beat them physically.

Miami (12-2) has combined three impressive CFP wins over Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss behind QB Carson Beck to earn the title game. A win tonight would be the Hurricanes first national title since 2001. They have responded to the guidance of HC Mario Cristobal, running a balanced offense and an aggressive physical defense which has taken over games through their stretch drive.

QB Carson Beck has provided good leadership and the ability to deliver the ball to a solid group of playmakers. Freshman sensation playmaker Malachi Toney has been a difference maker in key spots and gives them a dangerous weapon which they go to in critical situations. Runner Mark Fletcher has been a workhorse back, giving this attack an excellent balance in big games. Their aggressive defense has relied on a talented tandem of edge rushers in Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to apply consistent pressure to give their secondary many opportunities on key passing downs.

The matchup has the makings of a classic contest with the Hoosiers looking to control the line of scrimmage and keep the Miami tough defense off balance. The Indiana offensive line has been highly productive and very underrated through the undefeated season. Miami looks to play their home field advantage to the fullest and bring out the alumni to create the old time Miami mystique. Their legacy of stars from Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to their long list of QBs over the past several decades will be in attendance.

Indiana 31 Miami 13

College Football Playoffs

Indiana Crushes Oregon – Miami Edges Ole Miss

Frank Coyle / Head scout
Jan. 12, 2026

CFP Championship Game – Indiana vs Miami

Jan. 19, 2026 – Miami, Fl

Fernando Mendoza Shines in Hoosiers Semi-Final Victory
Carson Beck Directs Another Impressive Miami Win

The CFP title game features two surprising teams this year in Indiana and Miami. The Hoosiers have had a magical performance, going undefeated in the regular season, winning the Big Ten title game vs Ohio St and blasting CFP clubs, Alabama and Oregon. Heisman trophy winner, QB Fernando Mendoza has been near flawless, dissecting the Bama and Ducks defense with impressive 38-3 and 56-22 wins. The Indiana club is one of the most disciplined and efficient teams in history, reflecting the guidance of HC Curt Cignetti. He has been hands down, the Coach of the Year in only his second season with the perennial downtrodden Indiana program. He has installed a team discipline and poise which plays out weekly. They have dominated in 2025 in all three phases of the game especially vs top competition.

Miami has combined three tight CFP wins over Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss behind QB Carson Beck to make the title game. Under the guidance of HC Mario Cristobal, they improved significantly through the second half of the season and reduced mistakes in big spots. The Miami mystique has resurfaced with their legacy of stars coming out in support. With the Hurricanes having the home field in the title game. Hard Rock stadium with be rocking on Jan. 19^th.

QB Beck has shown fine poise and leadership and the ability to deliver the ball to a solid group of playmakers. Freshman sensation playmaker Malachi Toney has been a difference maker in key spots and gives them a dangerous weapon which they go to in critical situations. Runner Mark Fletcher has been a workhorse back, giving this attack an excellent balance in big games. Their aggressive defense has responded to strong coaching by DC Corey Hetherman and line coach Jason Taylor. Edge rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor have applied consistent pressure and the secondary has been opportunistic on key passing downs.

We have a week to analyze the CFP title game and one of the more interesting matchups in years.

CFP Semifinals

Indiana vs Oregon and Miami vs Ole Miss HeadLine Championship Chase

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) Semifinals feature two exciting matchups this week. #10 Miami vs #6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8 and #1 Indiana vs #5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, with both games airing on ESPN. The winners advance to the National Championship game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 19, 2026.

Here is Semifinal infomation

Fiesta Bowl  – #10 Miami vs #6 Ole Miss
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026 – Time: 7:30 p.m. et
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
TV: ESPN

Peach Bowl – #1 Indiana vs #5 Oregon
Date: Friday, January 9, 2026 – Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV: ESPN

Monday, Jan. 19

CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

CFP Schedule Thru Championship Game

CFP Quarterfinal Games

Wednesday, Dec. 31

CFP Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
#10 Miami vs. #2 Ohio State
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 1

CFP Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl
#5 Oregon vs. #4 Texas Tech
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Noon, ESPN

CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential
#9 Alabama vs. #1 Indiana
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
4 p.m., ESPN

CFP Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
#6 Ole Miss vs. #3 Georgia
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
8 p.m., ESPN

CFP Semifinals, National championship game
Thursday, Jan. 8

CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Jan. 9

CFP Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Jan. 19

CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Remaining Bowl Games

Saturday, Dec. 27

Go Bowling Military Bowl

Pittsburgh vs. East Carolina
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
11 a.m., ESPN

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Penn State vs. Clemson
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Noon, ABC

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

UConn vs. Army
Fenway Park (Boston)
2:15 p.m., ESPN

Pop-Tarts Bowl

Georgia Tech vs. BYU
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ABC

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl

Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
4:30 p.m., CW Network

Isleta New Mexico Bowl

North Texas vs. San Diego State
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
5:45 p.m., ESPN

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Virginia vs. Missouri
EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
7:30 p.m. ABC

Kinder’s Texas Bowl

LSU vs. Houston
NRG Stadium (Houston)
9:15 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec. 29

JLAB Birmingham Bowl

Georgia Southern vs. App State
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
2 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
2 p.m., ESPN

Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl

Tennessee vs. Illinois
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
5:30 p.m., ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl

USC vs. TCU
Alamodome (San Antonio)
9 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl

Iowa vs. Vanderbilt
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Arizona State vs. Duke
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
2 p.m., CBS

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Michigan vs. Texas
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3 p.m., ABC

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

Nebraska vs. Utah
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Jan. 2

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Rice vs. Texas State
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
1 p.m., ESPN

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Navy vs. Cincinnati
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
4:30 p.m., ESPN

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
8 p.m., ESPN

Trust & Will Holiday Bowl

Arizona vs. SMU
Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
8 p.m., Fox

Sooners Host Tide in CFP Opening Round

Oklahoma – Alabama Rematch Heads Opening Weekend Serie

The CFP series opens with a rematch of Oklahoma vs Alabama, following their exciting 23-21 Nov game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The game elevated the Sooners into the top ten selections and a home game in the opening round of the playoffs.

Sooner HC Brent Venables has assembled a top flight defense, ranking in the top few clubs in virtually every defensive statistic. This is a veteran group under the direction of Venables who took over defensive calls this season. They lead the nation in TFLs with 115 stops and tied with Texas A&M with 41 regular season sacks. Venables has directed this defensive unit with a front-line rotation to pressure an opponent for 60 minutes.

Bama is coming off their worst performance of the year with a thrashing at the hands of Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer has been under pressure since an opening day loss to Florida State. The Tide ran off an eight game winning streak before falling to Oklahoma in mid November. They rode the hot hand of QB Ty Simpson who directed this offense well despite a surprisingly subpar ground game. Simpson will have to have a big performance vs the Sooners who look to pressure the Tide QB from the opening bell.

Look for another close game with the Sooner defense dictating the tempo while Sooner QB John Mateer directs their balanced attack to another victory.

The Sooner/Bama matchup heads a group of four games where the winners play the four teams with byes, Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia and Texas Tech in the Quarterfinal round on the way to the National Championship on Jan. 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, FL.

College Football Playoff First Round Games

Friday, December 19, 2025
Matchup / Time / TV / Location

#9 Alabama @ #8 Oklahoma 8:00 PM    ABC/ESPN
Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK

Saturday, December 20, 2025

#10 Miami @ #7 Texas A&M 12:00 PM   ABC/ESPN
Kyle Field, College Station, TX

#11 Tulane @ #6 Ole Miss 3:30 PM         TNT
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS

#12 James Madison @ #5 Oregon 7:30 PM        TNT
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR