Monday’s CFP National Championship game will see the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers take on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. With just a few days to go before the final NCAA football game of the season, one side of the matchup has stood out as a strong favorite.
The Indiana Hoosiers are on one of the most insane runs we’ve ever seen in college football.
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As the program with the most all-time losses in the NCAA, Indiana has historically been known as an afterthought, but the hiring of head coach Curt Cignetti changed everything.
While we’ve seen other programs make spectacular rebuilds, Indiana’s rise to greatness happened at a blistering pace.
After just two seasons, the Hoosiers sit at 15-0 and have looked like the best team in the nation for months. Their meteoric rise can also be credited in part to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who appears to be the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
But the Hurricanes are playing on their home field, and they look equipped to give the Hoosiers serious problems. Miami boasts a smothering defense that will look to put immense pressure on Mendoza in the pocket.
Their elite defensive line has a difficult task ahead of them though, as Indiana’s offensive line allows QB pressure on just 17.7% of snaps, by far the lowest in the country.
With that being said, Miami’s DL is as equipped as any to break down the Hoosiers, and that battle could easily be the deciding factor in the matchup.
On the offensive end, the Hurricanes have had some inconsistencies this season. QB Carson Beck struggled in a few late-season matchups, but ended the season dominantly and helped Miami etch out impressive wins in the postseason.
While the Hoosiers are heavy betting favorites to take home the title, the Hurricanes have home field advantage and will almost certainly put up a stronger fight than most fans expect.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
