If you're frantically checking your watch and wondering what time is the iu football game today, take a deep breath. You haven't missed the kickoff.
Honestly, the schedule for this week is a little different than your typical Saturday routine. Because we are currently in the peak of the postseason—specifically the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship—the timing doesn't follow the usual noon or 3:30 p.m. slots you've grown used to during the Big Ten regular season.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026. There is no IU football game today.
The No. 1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers are scheduled to play the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship game on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET. I know, waiting until Monday feels like an eternity when the program is on the verge of its first-ever national title. But while there isn't a game happening right now, there is a massive amount of activity happening in Miami and Bloomington today that you probably need to know about if you’re a die-hard fan.
Why Everyone Is Asking What Time Is The IU Football Game Today
The confusion usually stems from the "Championship Weekend" festivities. Even though the actual "business trip" for Curt Cignetti and his undefeated squad doesn't culminate until Monday night, the College Football Playoff Fan Central officially opens today, Friday, Jan. 16.
If you happen to be in Miami, the Fan Central at the Miami Beach Convention Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. You'll find pep rallies, autograph sessions, and enough cream-and-crimson gear to drown out the local South Beach neon.
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It’s weird to think about Indiana being the No. 1 seed in a 12-team playoff, isn't it? If you told a Hoosier fan two years ago that Cignetti would have this team at 15-0, they’d have asked what you were drinking. But after dismantling Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal, the reality has set in. IU is the favorite.
The Essential Monday Night Details
Since you're looking for the schedule, mark these specifics down for Monday so you don't miss the actual kickoff:
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT)
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- TV Channel: ESPN (and the various "Megacast" options)
- Radio: IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer
What’s Happening Today (Friday) in Hoosier Nation?
While the pads aren't popping until Monday, today is a massive day for logistics. In Bloomington, the excitement is basically at a fever pitch. If you are looking for those limited-edition national championship rally towels, local distribution points like Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall have been the place to be.
Actually, the team is likely going through their final heavy "prep" sessions today before the weekend walkthroughs. Cignetti mentioned in his "Media Monday" presser that the biggest challenge is not making the game "bigger than it is." That's easy for a coach to say. For fans? Not so much.
We’re talking about a team that beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, rolled over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, and now faces a Miami team led by Mario Cristobal and quarterback Carson Beck. It’s a surreal lineup.
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The Miami Matchup: What to Watch For
If you’re sitting around today wishing there was a game, spend some time looking at the tape on Miami. They aren't your typical No. 10 seed. They’ve played 15 games to get here (13-2) and survived a gauntlet including a close win over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
- The Quarterback Battle: IU’s Fernando Mendoza has been surgical. He isn't just a "game manager" anymore; he’s the reason the Hoosiers put up 50+ on Oregon. Meanwhile, Miami’s Carson Beck is a veteran who knows how to handle the bright lights.
- The Trenches: IU’s defensive line, led by the schemes of Bryant Haines, has 47 sacks on the year. They need to get home against a very veteran Miami offensive line.
- The "Cignetti Factor": The man is 26-2 in his two years at Indiana. That is a stat that doesn't even feel real.
How to Watch the Game on Monday
Since you’re already planning your schedule, you should know that ESPN is going all-out with the "Megacast." If you’re a purist, you’ll stay on the main ESPN channel for the standard broadcast.
However, many IU fans are planning to use the "sync" feature. You can listen to Don Fischer’s radio call—his first national championship call since the 2002 basketball run—synced up with the TV broadcast. There’s also the "Field Pass" with Pat McAfee if you want something a bit more chaotic, or the "Coaches Film Room" on ESPNU if you want to see guys like Mike Gundy break down the X’s and O’s in real-time.
Surprising Details About This Season
Most people think this was a fluke. It wasn't. Indiana is the last unbeaten team in college football for a reason. They’ve beaten five top-10 teams this year. Five.
The defense has been the unsung hero, creating three turnovers against Oregon and essentially shutting down Alabama’s run game in the Rose Bowl. It’s a disciplined, "nasty" brand of football that hasn't been seen in Bloomington since... well, maybe ever.
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Actionable Steps for IU Fans Today
If you were searching for what time is the iu football game today because you wanted to watch the Hoosiers, don't let the "no game" Friday get you down. Here is what you can actually do today to get ready for the big one:
- Check the Gear: If you haven't secured your National Championship shirts, the IU Bookstore and the team store on Kirkwood are still moving inventory, but it’s thinning out.
- Plan the Watch Party: If you aren't one of the lucky ones heading to Hard Rock Stadium, check the Bloomington watch party schedules. Assembly Hall is hosting a massive watch party on Monday with a 10,000-towel giveaway.
- Download the Apps: Make sure your ESPN app is updated. If you're streaming, you don't want a "login expired" message at 7:29 p.m. on Monday night.
- Listen to the Archives: Go find the "Hoosier Sounds" podcast with Trent Green from yesterday. It’s a great way to kill an hour and get even more hyped about the program’s trajectory.
The wait is almost over. Friday and Saturday are for the fans in the streets; Sunday is for the nerves; Monday is for the history books.
See you at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
Next Steps: You can prepare for the game by checking out the official IU Athletics "National Championship Hub" for parking and shuttle info if you're traveling to Miami, or look up the local Bloomington "Cream and Crimson" parade route planned for later next week.