Indiana & Miami: Unlikely CFP Finalists Clash

The College Football Playoff national championship will feature an uncommon matchup between undefeated Indiana and tenth-seeded Miami, with the final taking place on January 19th. This game notably excludes traditional powerhouses such as Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson, marking only the second time in the CFP era that such a scenario has occurred. Both teams represent narratives of significant transformation and historical context heading into the championship.

Indiana has undergone one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college sports history. Previously holding the record for most all-time losses in FBS, the Hoosiers, under head coach Curt Cignetti, have reached unprecedented success. Cignetti inherited a 3-9 team and led them to the playoff in his first year, and now to the championship in his second. Their journey includes improbable victories, showcasing a complete reversal of decades of struggle and establishing a new standard for the program.

Miami, with a rich history that includes five national championships and two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, seeks to emulate its past glory. The Hurricanes, having not won a national title since 2001, are making a return to prominence. Playing in their home stadium, they aim to leverage their historical pedigree and a talented roster, bolstered by key transfers and strong recruiting, to secure a championship that has eluded them for decades.