If you woke up this morning, January 17, 2026, and started frantically refreshing your apps for today's ncaa football scores, you probably think your phone is broken. It isn't. The scoreboard is dark. The stadiums are empty.
We are in that weird, quiet pocket of time between the chaos of the semifinals and the absolute madness of the National Championship. Honestly, it’s a bit of a breather we all probably need after what just happened.
Where are today's ncaa football scores?
There aren't any. Simple as that.
College football basically hits a pause button right before the title game. While the NFL is busy with its Divisional Round today—featuring the Bills taking on the Broncos and the 49ers facing the Seahawks—the college kids are currently in Miami just trying to keep their nerves in check.
We just finished a 12-team playoff gauntlet that felt like it aged every fan ten years. If you missed the scores that got us here, let’s catch you up because the road to Monday night was anything but predictable.
The Semifinals that broke the mold
People thought Indiana was a fluke. They weren't.
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No. 1 Indiana didn't just beat Oregon in the Peach Bowl; they dismantled them 56-22. It was clinical. It was loud. It was the kind of performance that makes you realize Curt Cignetti might actually be a wizard.
Then you have Miami.
The Hurricanes are the No. 10 seed. They weren't even supposed to be past the first round according to most "experts" on TV. But they took down Texas A&M, stunned Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and then survived a 31-27 thriller against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.
What to watch while you wait
Since there are no games today, the "score" everyone is watching is the injury report.
Miami is playing at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, which is basically a home game for them. They are the first team to play a CFP National Championship in their own stadium. That’s a massive storyline that people aren't talking about enough.
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- The Mendoza Connection: Both Indiana's quarterbacks (Fernando and Alberto Mendoza) and Miami's head coach Mario Cristobal went to the same high school in Miami.
- The Spread: Indiana is currently an 8.5-point favorite.
- The Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens.
- The Kickoff: Monday, Jan 19, at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
It’s kind of surreal. Indiana, a program that was the punchline of Big Ten jokes for decades, is one win away from a perfect season and a national title.
Why the 12-team playoff changed everything
In years past, today would have just been another Saturday. But the 12-team format made the December and early January scores feel like a marathon.
We saw No. 10 Miami survive a 10-3 rock fight against Texas A&M in the first round. We saw Oregon struggle with James Madison before blowing them out 51-34. These weren't just games; they were survival tests.
By the time we get to Monday, these two teams will have played more high-stakes football than any teams in the history of the sport. The wear and tear is real.
Key Stats from the Playoff Run
Indiana's defense has been the story. They held Alabama to just 3 points in the quarterfinals. Three. Against a Bama team that usually scores at will.
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Miami, on the other hand, is living on the edge. Their average margin of victory in this playoff is less than a touchdown if you exclude the Ohio State game. They are "Cardiac Canes" personified.
Actionable insights for the Championship
If you're looking to do more than just stare at a blank scoreboard today, here is how to prep for Monday's finale:
- Watch the lines: The 8.5-point spread for Indiana feels high given Miami’s "home" advantage. Keep an eye on the movement as public money flows in tomorrow.
- Check the weather: It's Miami in January. It'll be beautiful, but humidity can still play a factor for a team coming from Bloomington.
- Study the QB matchup: This game is going to be won in the pocket. Indiana's efficiency versus Miami's pass rush (which has 47 sacks this year) is the entire game.
Don't let the lack of games today fool you. The tension is building. Monday night isn't just a game; it's the culmination of the wildest season we've ever seen. Get your snacks ready now, because once that clock starts on Monday, there won't be time for anything else.
Log into your streaming apps early. Make sure your ESPN+ subscription hasn't lapsed. Monday night at 7:30 PM ET is the only score that matters now.