2026 CFP National Championship: Miami vs. Indiana, TV Schedule & Kickoff Time
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is shaping up to be a wild one. No. 10 Miami faces off with No. 1 Indiana on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Hoosiers are gunning for their first-ever national title. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are hoping to snag their first championship since 2001.
Both teams have clawed their way through a gauntlet to reach this game. Honestly, it feels like one for the ages.
Let’s get into what matters—where to watch, who to keep an eye on, and what might go down.
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The Road to the Championship
Indiana’s playoff run? Pretty spectacular, honestly. They kicked things off with a 38-3 demolition of Alabama in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.
That was their first bowl win since 1991. Then they steamrolled Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl.
Head coach Curt Cignetti has really turned Indiana into something special this year. The Hoosiers look like a team nobody wants to mess with.
Indiana’s Key Players
Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been at the center of it all. He grew up in South Florida, so he’ll be back on familiar turf for this one.
Indiana’s got a reputation for being tough up front and playing with discipline. That combo has carried them all season.
- Fernando Mendoza: The star QB has led Indiana with poise and a bit of swagger.
- Physical Play: Their dominance in the trenches is no joke—they control the line of scrimmage most games.
- Discipline: Indiana doesn’t beat themselves. They keep mistakes to a minimum and capitalize when it counts.
Miami’s Journey
Miami’s path to the title game has been just as wild. They had to win three straight games away from home to even get a shot to play for the title at their own stadium.
It started with a gritty 10-3 win over Texas A&M. After that, they knocked out defending champs Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl.
The Hurricanes punched their ticket to the big game with a dramatic 31-27 win over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. Quarterback Carson Beck threw the go-ahead touchdown with just 18 seconds left—talk about clutch.
Coaching and Strategy
Head coach Mario Cristobal has a shot at making a little history himself. If Miami wins, he’d be the first in the AP poll era to win a national title as both a player and a coach at his alma mater.
Cristobal played offensive tackle for Miami back in the day, and you can tell he’s brought that same toughness to the sidelines. The Hurricanes have become a gritty, hard-nosed bunch under his watch.
Key Strategies
Both teams have clear strengths they’ll lean on. Indiana needs to keep doing what works—dominate up front and set the tone physically.
Miami, on the other hand, gets to play at home. That’s a big deal, especially when you consider how comfortable they are at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Hurricanes have already proven they can handle the pressure. That win over Ole Miss? Pure resilience.
- Line of Scrimmage: Indiana’s muscle up front could end up being the difference.
- Home-Field Advantage: Miami knows every inch of that field, and the crowd will be on their side.
- Resilience: Both teams have had to dig deep all season. One more test awaits.
Where to Watch
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will air live on ESPN. There’s extra coverage on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and the ACC Network.
Streaming’s easy—just hop on fuboTV. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Viewing Options
If you want to catch every angle, ESPN’s got you covered. Here are some of the options:
- Field Pass with Pat McAfee Show: ESPN2 and fuboTV.
- Film Room: ESPNU and fuboTV.
- Skycast: ESPNEWS and fuboTV.
- Field Pass with ACC Huddle: ACC Network and fuboTV.
- All-22 with ESPN Radio: Available on ESPN’s app.
Need more info? Check out the CBS Sports site for all the details.
Expert Predictions
Many experts are saying Indiana’s got the edge, mostly thanks to their physical style and how disciplined they play. Still, Miami’s calm under pressure—and the buzz around head coach Mario Cristobal possibly making history—makes this matchup way more interesting than the odds alone suggest.
The real story? It probably comes down to which team can own the line of scrimmage and make the most of those big moments. That’s where championships are won or lost, right?
- Indiana -8.5: The Hoosiers are favored by 8.5 points, at least if you’re looking at what the sportsbooks are saying.
- Close Contest: Even with Indiana favored, a lot of folks expect Miami to keep it tight and maybe even surprise some people.
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is shaping up to be a wild one. Whether Indiana finally nabs their first title or Miami adds a sixth, fans are in for a night they probably won’t forget.
For live updates and more details, check out CBS Sports.
