College Football Playoff: National Championship Game Matchup and Updated Bracket

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is heating up as we get closer to the national championship game. The road so far? Full of wild matchups and some real surprises.

No. 10 Miami and No. 1 Indiana have clawed their way to the final showdown. Miami punched its ticket by taking down No. 6 Mississippi in the CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal. Indiana, meanwhile, made quick work of Oregon in the CFP Peach Bowl.

Now, it all leads to Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. That’s where it’ll all be settled.

Miami’s Journey to the Championship

Miami’s run to the championship has honestly been pretty wild. As the No. 10 seed, they’ve upset higher-ranked teams every step of the way.

It started with a gritty 10-3 win over No. 7 Texas A&M. That one was a slugfest, but it set the tone for what was coming.

Then came the Cotton Bowl, and Miami shocked just about everyone by beating No. 2 Ohio State, 24-14. The Hurricanes’ defense really stepped up, holding Ohio State’s offense to just two touchdowns.

Carson Beck, Miami’s quarterback, made all the difference. He kept his cool and led the team with smart decisions and a steady hand.

Next up was the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against No. 6 Mississippi. That one was a nail-biter, but Miami pulled it off, 31-27.

Beck came through again with the go-ahead touchdown, sealing Miami’s first-ever trip to the CFP title game. That’s a big deal for the Hurricanes program.

Indiana’s Dominant Run

Over on the other side, No. 1 Indiana has looked almost unstoppable in these playoffs. They came in as the top seed and, honestly, haven’t really been challenged yet.

They opened their run with a 38-3 dismantling of No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl. That’s about as dominant as it gets.

In the Peach Bowl semifinal, Indiana squared off with No. 5 Oregon and just steamrolled them, 56-22. Their offense was on fire, and the defense didn’t let Oregon get much going.

Curt Cignetti, Indiana’s quarterback, was lights out—throwing for several touchdowns and keeping the Hoosiers in control from start to finish.

CFP Championship Game Preview

So here we are: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami for all the marbles. The national championship goes down Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

It’ll be on ESPN, and if you’re not near a TV, you can stream it through the ESPN app or Fubo. Options are nice, right?

Key Players to Watch

For Miami, Carson Beck is the guy to keep an eye on. He’s been the heartbeat of this playoff run, and if Miami’s going to win their first CFP title, he’ll need another big night.

Miami’s secondary will have their hands full, too. Indiana’s offense can light it up, so those guys will need to be sharp.

Indiana’s Curt Cignetti has been stellar all season. He leads the Hoosiers’ offense with poise and accuracy, and he’s got a knack for making the right play at the right time.

The Indiana defense has been rock solid, and if they keep that up, they might just finish what they started.

How to Watch the CFP Championship Game

You can catch the CFP national championship game live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET, Monday, Jan. 19. Prefer streaming? It’ll be on the ESPN app and Fubo, which even offers a free trial for new folks.

One way or another, you probably won’t want to miss this one. Miami and Indiana—winner takes all.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff has brought some wild matchups and a few moments you just can’t forget. Heading into the national championship, you can feel the energy building—everyone’s talking about it.

No. 10 Miami and No. 1 Indiana have both fought their way here. Their upcoming showdown? It’s shaping up to be one for the books.

Honestly, you won’t want to miss it. Tune in on Jan. 19 and see which team comes out on top and grabs that ultimate college football prize.

For more details and the latest updates, check out the official USA Today article.