Honestly, if you had told me back in August that we’d be staring at a national championship featuring these two teams, I would’ve asked what you were drinking. But here we are. It’s January 17, 2026, and the dust has finally settled on one of the most chaotic bowl seasons in recent memory. We are officially in the "calm before the storm" window, waiting for the big one on Monday night.
The scoreboard doesn't lie. The bracket is set.
Current College Football Scores and the Road to Miami
If you’re looking for a live game right this second, you’re out of luck. The semifinals are wrapped. The minor bowls are in the books. We are currently in that weird, jittery four-day gap before the College Football Playoff National Championship kicks off at Hard Rock Stadium.
But looking back at how we got here? It’s wild.
The most recent "big" result that everyone is still talking about is Indiana's absolute demolition of Oregon. They met in the Peach Bowl on January 9, and it wasn't even a contest. The Hoosiers hung 56 points on a Ducks defense that usually looks like a brick wall. Final score: Indiana 56, Oregon 22. Curt Cignetti has basically turned Bloomington into the center of the football universe, and I’m still trying to process it.
Then you’ve got the other side of the bracket. Miami (the U, for those who forgot they could actually win big games) barely squeaked past Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8. That game was a heart-stopper. Carson Beck—who has had a career arc that feels like a soap opera—scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left on the clock. Miami 31, Ole Miss 27.
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Recent Playoff & Major Bowl Results
- Peach Bowl (Semifinal): Indiana 56, Oregon 22
- Fiesta Bowl (Semifinal): Miami 31, Ole Miss 27
- Rose Bowl (Quarterfinal): Indiana 38, Alabama 3 (Yes, you read that right. Indiana beat Bama by 35.)
- Sugar Bowl (Quarterfinal): Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34
- Orange Bowl (Quarterfinal): Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0
- Cotton Bowl (Quarterfinal): Miami 24, Ohio State 14
The Indiana Phenomenon: What Most People Get Wrong
People keep calling Indiana a "Cinderella story."
That’s lazy.
Cinderellas usually win on luck and a couple of prayer-sized plays. This 2025-2026 Indiana team is a buzzsaw. They finished the regular season 15-0. They didn't just beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl; they dismantled them. They held the Tide to three points. Three!
What people miss is the defensive secondary. Everyone talks about Fernando Mendoza throwing five touchdowns against Oregon, but it’s the Hoosier defense that actually wins these games. They forced three first-half turnovers against the Ducks. By the time Oregon realized they were in a fight, they were already down three scores.
Miami’s Controversial Path
You’ve probably heard the grumbling on social media. Miami didn't even play in the ACC title game. Some folks thought they shouldn't even be in the 12-team playoff.
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Kinda feels like they heard the noise.
They’ve played the "villain" role perfectly. First, they went into College Station and beat Texas A&M 10-3 in a game that was ugly, windy, and defensive. Then they took down the defending champ Ohio State 24-14. They aren't flashy, but Mario Cristobal has them playing a brand of physical, nasty football that reminds me of the early 2000s Canes.
Carson Beck has been the "closer." He isn't putting up video game numbers, but when it’s 3rd and 8 with the season on the line, he’s making the throw. Or, in the case of the Ole Miss game, he's using his legs to finish the job.
What’s Next: The National Championship
The current college football scores lead us to one final destination.
Monday, January 19, 2026
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
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Vegas has Indiana as an 8.5-point favorite. That feels high for a championship game, but given how they’ve looked, I get it. The Over/Under is sitting at 48.5. If you think Miami’s defense can slow down Mendoza, the Under looks tempting. But man, betting against this Indiana offense feels like a recipe for a bad night.
If you’re planning to watch, keep an eye on the injury reports for Miami’s offensive line. They got beat up pretty good in the Fiesta Bowl, and they’ll need to be at 100% to keep Indiana’s pass rush off Beck.
Actionable Insights for the National Championship:
- Check the Weather: It’s a home-field vibe for Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, but it’s January. Humidity could play a factor if the Hoosiers try to keep their high-tempo pace.
- Watch the First Quarter: Indiana has outscored opponents in the first quarter by an insane margin this season. If Miami falls behind early, it's over.
- Quarterback Comparison: Mendoza (IU) is the gunslinger; Beck (Miami) is the game manager who can scramble. The mismatch is real, but Miami’s defensive line is the "equalizer."
Everything comes down to Monday night. Whether you’re a die-hard Big Ten fan or just waiting for the Canes to finally "be back," this is the weirdest, most compelling title game we've seen in a decade.
Final Score Prediction: Indiana 34, Miami 20.
Check your local listings for the pre-game show starting at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN to get the latest injury updates and starting lineups before kickoff.