No. 10 Miami (13-2) vs. No. 1 Indiana (15-0), Monday 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Latest line: Indiana is favored by 8 1/2 points

Adam Lichtenstein, Miami Hurricanes Writer: Miami 21, Indiana 20

They say styles make fights. If that’s true, this should be an excellent battle. The Hoosiers — who obliterated two playoff opponents — are undefeated and are one win from their first national title. The Hurricanes are close to reclaiming their past glory. Both teams have dominant defenses, with IU ranking second nationally in points allowed per game and UM ranking fifth. The Hoosiers’ offense has done better, ranking second nationally; the Hurricanes are 30th. This game comes down to who wins in the trenches. Miami is the No. 1 pass-blocking and pass-rushing team in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus. Indiana is 17th and 31st, respectively. The Hoosiers have better numbers in run blocking and run defense. Fernando Mendoza holds onto the ball for an average of 2.72 seconds per dropback — that’s longer than Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss, who UM sacked once, but quicker than Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, who Miami sacked 12 times combined. If the Hurricanes can pressure Mendoza consistently, they will win.

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist: Miami 31, Indiana 28

How long was it since Miami played in a game with these stakes? Twenty-three years since the Hurricanes played in a national championship game. Now, in Mario Cristobal’s fourth season, this program gets a chance at another one after showing resiliency after two bad mid-season losses. For the past week, Miami has practiced at home, lived at home and now plays the championship game at home. It’s not like either of these teams had problems on the road in these playoffs. Indiana has blown out Alabama and Oregon in improving to 15-0, making it the clear favorite. It’s an underdog role Miami is used to after upsetting Texas A&M and Ohio State. But beyond the matchups and stats comes the intangible of Miami playing the first CFP championship game in its home stadium. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?

Mike Bianchi, Sports Columnist: Indiana 42, Miami 17

It’s been a great season for the Hurricanes, but unfortunately it’s about to come crashing down to earth like a dying meteorite — bright, loud and over in the seconds. Indiana has the better coach and the better quarterback. Indiana has the better offense and the better defense. And Indiana doesn’t make mistakes. The Hoosiers are No. 1 in the nation in turnover margin and have lost only one fumble all season. Yes, Miami will be playing on its home field, but UM’s crowd is typically more of a suggestion than an advantage. Let’s face it, the Hoosiers’ offense, piloted by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, is less “unstoppable force” and more “inevitable conclusion.” Short yardage? Deep shots? Pick your poison. Indiana converts third downs the way a veteran poker player takes your chips — quietly and efficiently.  And before you know it, your stack is gone and the Hoosiers are already shuffling for the next hand. Coach Curt Cignetti has turned Indiana from 3–9 afterthought into a full-blown team of destiny, steamrolling Alabama and Oregon along the way. Miami’s so-called swagger won’t scare them; it’ll just give Indiana better field position.

Edgar Thompson, College Football writer: Indiana 38, Miami 23

Curt Cignetti’s team ends a historic season with a Hollywood ending. “Hoosiers Part II” is a Cinderella story even Tinsel Town might have deemed too improbable to put on the big screen. On college football’s biggest stage, Cignetti secures his place as the sport’s biggest star on the sidelines. IU’s leading man is Heisman-winning quarterback Francisco Mendoza, who outplays Carson Beck. Meanwhile, the Hooisers’ supporting cast delivers its own winning performance. Superior coaching and execution, the physicality to match Rueben Bain, Francis Mauigoa and Co., and the knack for making winning fourth-quarter plays prevents the Hurricanes and coach Mario Cristobal from re-establishing UM as college football’s bullies. For the Hoosiers, a sequel no one saw coming ends in an unbeaten season for the sport’s losingest program before Cignetti arrived from out of nowhere a la Norman Dale.

Matt Murschel, College Football writer: Indiana 30, Miami 17

For the better part of nearly sixty years, Indiana University has been known, for the most part, as a basketball school. Football, it seemed, was what Hoosiers did to pass the time until basketball season began in November. Not anymore. IU has a chance to make history as the team looks to claim the program’s first national title in football. In short order, coach Curt Cignetti has transformed the program into a football power. Nobody has won more games (27) over the past two seasons than Indiana. It’s a tall task for the Hoosiers, who must defeat Miami on its home turf. Still, it’s a homecoming for Heisman Trophy quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has stepped up at every turn when needed and he’ll do so again. As will the IU defense, which has held teams to an average of under 12 points in the playoffs.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor: Indiana 30, Miami 27

Simply put, Indiana is the better team. But this game should be closer than oddsmakers think. The Hoosiers are favored by 8 1/2 points after their dismantling of Oregon last week. But Miami excels on defense and ball control. Indiana has an explosive offense that Miami will be hard-pressed to slow down. While the Hurricanes’ defense has been stellar in the playoffs, the Hoosiers are bound to put up points. Can Miami’s offense score enough against Indiana’s dominant defense? That’s the biggest question. The Hurricanes’ game plan will be to run the ball with Mark Fletcher Jr. and try to chew up the clock in order to keep Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza off the field.