It’s almost time to crown a national champion.
The College Football Playoff national championship game is set for Monday as the unbeaten No. 1-seeded Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) take on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (13-2). This is the first national title game appearance in the CFP era for both programs.
Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers are looking to complete a perfect season and secure their first-ever national title. Indiana boasts the No. 2 scoring offense and No. 2 scoring defense – both of which have been on full display in the CFP.
The Hoosiers won their first two playoff games by a combined score of 94-25. They returned from a first-round bye with a 38-3 Rose Bowl blowout win over the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide before rolling past the No. 5 Oregon Ducks 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and projected No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza had more touchdown passes (8) than incompletions (5) over the two bowl victories.
Indiana now meets a Miami team that will get to play for the national title at its home stadium. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, is the site of this year’s championship game.
Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes received a controversial first-ever CFP bid, but they’ve certainly shown they belong among college football’s elites. Miami’s stout defense powered its first two playoff wins, as the Hurricanes defeated the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies 10-3 before bouncing the defending champion No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl.
And then it was the Hurricanes’ offense that came up clutch in a 31-27 Fiesta Bowl victory, as Miami and the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels combined for 25 points in a roller-coaster fourth quarter that saw four lead changes. Carson Beck engineered a 15-play, 75-yard go-ahead drive, which was capped by the quarterback scrambling for a touchdown inside the final 20 seconds.
So, will Indiana finish off a perfect championship season? Or will Miami celebrate its first national title in decades on its home field? Here’s how to watch the CFP national championship:
When is the Miami vs. Indiana CFP national championship game?
The Hoosiers and Hurricanes will meet on Monday, Jan. 19.
What time does the CFP national championship game start?
The national title game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. PT.
What TV channel is the CFP national championship game on?
ESPN will air the national championship.
Where to stream the CFP national championship game live online
It will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
How many football national championships have the Indiana Hoosiers won?
The Hoosiers are seeking their first national championship.
How many football national championships have the Miami Hurricanes won?
The Hurricanes own five national championships, most recently claiming a BCS championship in the 2001 season. Miami was also an outright national champion in 1983, 1987 and 1989, while earning a title share with Washington in 1991.
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