2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship Prediction

Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Following months of action, the 2025-26 college football season concludes Monday night with a pair of teams hoping to end the year as National Champions. The top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers were dominant throughout the fall, but have turned it up a notch in the College Football Playoff, pummeling Alabama and Oregon to get to this stage. Now, they square off with the last remaining "underdog" Miami Hurricanes, who have upset Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss in a row. For the 'Canes, it's a chance to showcase a return back to being one of the top brands in the sport on the national stage. For Indiana, they're hoping to put the finishing touches on one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history. Who comes out on top in Miami Gardens?

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has already racked up a long list of accolades over the course of

this college football season, but he's still looking to bolster his resume over the coming months. First comes the chance to win a National Championship, with the chance to be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon this spring. The Cal transfer has looked in complete command all season, and he hasn't slowed down during the Playoff. He followed up a three touchdown showing against Alabama with five in the domination of Oregon, so there's little chance he'll be intimidated by what he's set to see from the Miami defense. The rest of the Indiana offense may not have the star power we've seen from past top overall seeds, but it's hard to argue with the results of a group that has averaged nearly 43 points per contest. Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt have been Mendoza's favorite weapons, with the duo combining for 28 touchdowns this season, but it's been sophomore Charlie Becker who has been the alpha down the stretch. His huge catch against Ohio State in the fourth quarter to win the game not only likely sealed a Heisman for Mendoza, but locked in the Hoosiers as the team to beat entering the Playoff. Since, he's gone for a pair of touchdowns against Alabama and Oregon both, and Miami will have to have a plan for him. On the ground game, the steady pair of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black has been the secret sauce to Indiana's success. The two of them have combined for over 2,000 yards while averaging over five yards per carry, loosening up defenses for Mendoza and company to hit them over the top. Then there's the Hoosier offensive line, who may be up for their greatest test of the season in the Miami pass rush. These Hoosiers have stymied the likes of Ohio State, Oregon (twice), and Alabama up front, but the Hurricanes feature several future NFL pass rushers. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are the two big ones, spearheading a defense that lead all of FBS football in sacks. Miami coordinator Corey Hetherman has been on a masterful run down the stretch this year, and his hiring has been one of the primary reasons the 'Canes have been able to make the jump towards National Championship good. You get the sense Hetherman and this defense are going to take some risks in this game with an ultra-aggressive approach. This is a unit that can turn the tide of the game with a well-timed sack or turnover, and they'll likely need one or two if Miami is to spring the upset.

After a disappointing 2024 campaign that saw his season end with injury, Carson Beck has been on a redemption arc during his one-season pit stop in Coral Gables. The sixth-year senior has thrown for 3,581 yards and 29 touchdowns on the season, while completing over 73% of his throws. His winning pedigree has been exactly what Miami has needed to get over the top, with his last-minute touchdown drive over Ole Miss the prime example. That's not to say Beck has been perfect - his four interception game against Louisville earlier in the year spoiled Miami's ACC Title hopes. But Beck has been on this type of big stage before and shouldn't be bothered by the moment. It also helps that he has been one of the most exciting players in the entire country in true freshman Malachi Toney, a player who has shattered records during his first season of college ball. Toney is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball, but his impact extends far beyond his production. By simply being on the field, Toney commands attention from the defense, often taking several defenders completely out of the play with his mere presence. That opens up operating space for the other weapons on this Miami offense, and we saw Keelan Marion take advantage in the semifinal, going for 114 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Whether it's Marion or C.J. Daniels, Miami is going to use Toney to open up this entire passing attack, and it will be interesting to see what matchups they can drum up against the Hoosiers. This has been a remarkably disciplined and well-coached Indiana pass defense, but the 'Canes do present unique challenges. The war in the trenches is going to be just as interesting. Mario Cristobal has focused on building up this offensive line into a group that looks more like an NFL team than a college one. Cristobal is going to want to test Indiana's toughness up front early, and see what edge Miami can gain up front. Indiana is not one to be pushed around with what they can feature up front, but there's no denying it's not quite at full strength without Stephen Daley, the veteran edge rusher who injured himself celebrating the Big Ten Championship Game victory. The Hoosiers haven't had much issue without him so far but every inch could end up making a difference when it comes to the trench warfare we'll likely see in this one.

Nothing I can say about Indiana's remarkable 2025 season hasn't been said already. A program that was relegated to the bottom of the Big Ten for decades is on the precipice of an undefeated, 15-0 season that has included dominant wins over some of the greatest brands in the sport. They've done so without the four and five star recruits that compose most of the other rosters in this year's CFB Playoff, but instead with the right mix of transfers, experience, and coaching. They aren't necessarily flashy, but are just a superb all-around football team that does the little things better than anyone else. Even against Miami, a team riding a wave of momentum and with a host of future NFL players, I have a hard time believing this Hoosiers team won't stick the landing. The offensive line should give them enough chances for the passing game to open things up against an inconsistent Miami back-end. And on the other side of the ball, they apply enough pressure on Beck to create the turnovers they need for extra possessions. Indiana has been the story of this college football season and on Monday night, they get the Hollywood ending they deserve.

The Pick: Indiana, 31 Miami, 21