If you’re looking for a simple score, here is the reality: the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship hasn't actually kicked off yet. It’s scheduled for Monday night, January 19, 2026.
But if you’re asking who won the most recent completed title, the answer is the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Last year, on January 20, 2025, Ohio State took down Notre Dame in a 34-23 slugfest at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It was a massive moment for Ryan Day and quarterback Will Howard, finally bringing a trophy back to Columbus after a decade-long drought. But the reason everyone is asking "who won the CFP" right now is because we are currently sitting in the eye of a literal hurricane—the Miami Hurricanes, that is.
The 2026 CFP Matchup: Indiana vs. Miami
Honestly, if you told a college football fan three years ago that the 2026 title game would feature No. 1 Indiana against No. 10 Miami, they’d probably ask what you were smoking.
Yet, here we are.
Indiana is 15-0. Read that again. The Hoosiers, led by Curt Cignetti, have been a buzzsaw. They didn't just stumble into the number one seed; they demolished Alabama 38-3 in the quarterfinals and then hung 56 points on Oregon in the Peach Bowl. It’s been total, absolute dominance.
On the other side, Mario Cristobal has finally "brought The U back," though it took a wild, backdoor route. Miami didn't even play in the ACC Championship game. They got into the 12-team bracket as an at-large No. 10 seed and have spent the last month playing the role of the ultimate spoiler.
✨ Don't miss: Irmo High Football Schedule: Why This Season Was Absolute Madness
How Miami Got Here
Miami's path has been a gauntlet of "how did they do that?" moments:
- First Round: They traveled to College Station and suffocated Texas A&M in a 10-3 defensive masterpiece.
- Quarterfinals: They stunned the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14.
- Semifinals: In a Fiesta Bowl for the ages, quarterback Carson Beck led a last-minute drive to beat Ole Miss 31-27.
Who won the CFP last year?
Let's look back at that 2025 Ohio State victory because it set the stage for this new 12-team playoff era.
The Buckeyes were clinical. Will Howard threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, while Quinshon Judkins looked like a man among boys, racking up 100 yards and two scores on just 11 carries. Notre Dame tried to make it a game late with a Riley Leonard-led comeback, but the Buckeyes’ talent gap was just too wide.
That win was the first time a Big Ten team had won back-to-back titles (following Michigan's 2024 run) in the playoff era. Now, Indiana is trying to make it three in a row for the conference.
What to Expect on Monday Night
The betting lines have Indiana as an 8.5-point favorite. That feels right given how they’ve dismantled everyone in their path, but Miami is playing at Hard Rock Stadium—their home turf.
There's also a crazy subplot involving the quarterbacks. Both Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Miami's Alberto Mendoza (yes, they are brothers) played at Christopher Columbus High School right there in Miami. No matter who wins, that high school is getting a banner.
Key Players to Watch
- Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana): The Heisman winner has been nearly perfect. If he protects the ball, Miami is in trouble.
- Carson Beck (QB, Miami): The Georgia transfer has the "big game" experience. He’s 37-5 as a starter and doesn't blink under pressure.
- The Indiana Defense: They’ve allowed an average of about 10 points per game in the playoffs. That's absurd.
The 12-Team Playoff Reality
This season has proven that the 12-team format is total chaos. In the old 4-team system, a No. 10 seed like Miami would have been home by December. Instead, they are sixty minutes away from their first national title since 2001.
Critics said the regular season wouldn't matter anymore. Tell that to the fans in Bloomington who haven't slept in three weeks. The stakes feel higher than ever because the path is longer and the margin for error is non-existent.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Check the TV Listing: The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN on Monday, January 19.
- Watch the Trenches: Miami’s offensive line is their greatest strength; if they can’t handle Indiana’s pass rush, Beck won't have time to find his playmakers.
- Keep an eye on the "Mendoza Bowl": This is a historic moment for a single family and a single high school in South Florida.
The winner will be crowned Monday night. Until then, Ohio State remains the reigning king of the hill.