If you’re sitting on your couch right now wondering about monday night football who playing, there is a massive twist you need to know about. Usually, Monday night is the exclusive domain of the NFL. It’s been that way for decades. But tonight—Monday, January 19, 2026—the schedule looks a little different than your typical regular-season routine.
Because we are deep into January, the NFL has actually moved past its Monday night slot for this week. The league just wrapped up its Wild Card round last Monday with that brutal Texans win over the Steelers, and this past weekend was all about the Divisional playoffs.
So, who is owning the primetime lights tonight? It’s not the pros. It’s the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship.
The Big Matchup: Indiana vs. Miami
Honestly, if you told a college football fan three years ago that the Indiana Hoosiers would be playing for a national title against the Miami Hurricanes in 2026, they would’ve laughed you out of the room. Yet, here we are.
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No. 1 Indiana is taking on No. 10 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This isn't just another game. It’s a total culture clash. You’ve got Indiana, the "undefeated Cinderella" that hasn't missed a beat all season, trying to finish the most improbable run in Big Ten history. Then you have Miami, playing in their own backyard, essentially. Even though they’re a No. 10 seed, the Hurricanes have been a defensive nightmare for opponents lately. They just narrowly escaped a thriller against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, and now they have the home-field advantage.
Why there isn't an NFL game tonight
People often get confused because the NFL does play on Monday nights during the first week of the playoffs (Wild Card weekend). But once the bracket shrinks to the final eight teams for the Divisional Round, the league shifts to a Saturday/Sunday doubleheader format.
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Basically, the NFL clears the road for the college championship. It’s a bit of a "handshake agreement" between the two levels of the sport to ensure the biggest game in college sports doesn't have to compete with a playoff game for ratings.
- Last Monday (Jan 12): Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL Wild Card).
- Tonight (Jan 19): Indiana vs. Miami (CFP National Championship).
- Next Week: No Monday game, as we head toward the AFC and NFC Championship Sunday.
Breaking Down the IU vs. Miami Stakes
Let’s get into the weeds of this game. Indiana’s offense has been clinical. They don't make mistakes. They’ve managed to maintain a .920 winning percentage over the last two seasons, which is just absurd for a program that used to be a basketball-first school.
Miami, on the other hand, is all about the "Sack Attack." They’ve got 47 sacks on the year. If they can get into the backfield and rattle Indiana’s rhythm early, this could be a long night for the Hoosiers. Plus, let's talk about the atmosphere. Hard Rock Stadium is going to be a sea of orange and green. Even though it's technically a neutral site, it’s going to feel like a true road game for Indiana.
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- TV Channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo, Sling TV
- Radio: SiriusXM 80, 81, or 84
- Weather in Miami: High 70s, humid, but the stadium handles it well.
Looking Ahead to the Next NFL Monday Game
If you're strictly an NFL fan and "monday night football who playing" is the only question on your mind, you're going to have to wait a while. There are no more Monday night NFL games for the 2025-2026 season.
The remaining schedule is strictly weekend-focused. We have the AFC and NFC Championship games happening next Sunday, January 25. After that, it's the two-week wait for Super Bowl LX, which kicks off on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara.
What about the ManningCast?
A lot of people ask if Peyton and Eli are doing a broadcast for the National Championship. For this specific Monday, the "ManningCast" typically doesn't run the same way it does for the NFL. However, ESPN usually does a "Megacast," which means you can find about six different ways to watch the game. There’s the main broadcast, a "Coaches Film Room," data-heavy feeds, and sometimes even a hometown radio sync. Check the different ESPN channels (ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS) to find the vibe that fits your viewing style.
Actionable Tips for Tonight’s Game
If you're planning to watch, here is the best way to handle the night:
- Tune in early: The pregame festivities are actually pretty cool this year. Jamal Roberts (the American Idol winner) is doing the anthem, and the "Playoff Playlist Live" concerts in Miami Beach have been buzzing all weekend.
- Check your streaming lag: If you're watching on a service like YouTube TV or Fubo, you're probably 30 seconds behind the live action. If you’re following along on social media, mute the team names so you don't see "TOUCHDOWN!" before the ball is even snapped on your screen.
- Keep an eye on the spread: Indiana opened as a slight favorite, but the "home" crowd factor for Miami is causing some late movement in the betting lines.
- Order your food now: It’s a championship Monday. Delivery times are going to spike right around 7:00 p.m. ET.
While it's not the NFL, tonight's game is the end of an era for this college season. It’s the first time we’ve seen these two teams meet since 1966. Enjoy the spectacle.