Due to his stoic behavior and willingness to say things as he sees them Curt Cignetti has been a lightning rod for the media. The days leading up to the national championship game have been no different. In his ambition to make sure his team finishes the job, he was quoted this week, saying, “There’s a lot of pro-Indiana hype, a lot of ‘rat poison’. It’s time to sharpen the saw now, throw those warm fuzzies out the door. You don’t go to war with warm milk and cookies.” The quote is yet another indicator of what has occurred over the last two seasons AT Indiana. Cignetti will have his team ready to play.

As for Miami head coach Mario Cristobol, he is the opposite of Cignetti. He’s very animated on the sideline, he shows excitement and emotion, both with the good and the bad. Yet, like Cignetti, he’ll be the first to tell you he tries to be the same guy all the time, the same person every day, because it’s important his team knows what they are getting. A former Miami player, he is the right coach for the ‘U’.

Miami started the season with a win against Notre Dame on their home field. Now they find themselves at home once again where they will play for the national championship. It won’t be the first time Miami plays for the national championship at home. Head coach Mario Cristobol was a starting offensive tackle for the Hurricanes when they won in 1991.

But Maimi making it back home was never a sure thing, in the CFP rankings after week one Miami was ranked 10^th. Because of losses to Louisville and SMU after week eleven, they were ranked 18^th.  By the end of season, they had worked their way back up to 10th and were the last power four team selected for the twelve-team pool. There was controversy over their selection as Notre Dame had the same record and had been ranked ahead of them all season. It was that head-to-head meeting that put Miami over the hump.

Indiana was ranked 23^rd in the CFP after week one. By week eight, the Hoosiers had climbed to 3^rd. The 2^nd ranked team at the time, Miami. By week nine Indiana found themselves ranked 2^nd. They would hang on to that spot until a win over top ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. They’ve been ranked 1^st ever since.

It’s difficult to imagine Indiana starting the season ranked 23^rd. Since the start of the 2024 season the Hoosiers have led the nation in points margin, outscoring opponents by 28.8 points per game. But there has been doubt surrounding the Hoosiers and head coach Curt Cignetti since day one. The 2024 season was considered a fluke. It wasn’t until 2025 that people started paying attention with wins over Oregon and Ohio State. And if that didn’t make you a believer then the Hoosiers 38-3 dominance of Alabama and the 56-22 destruction of Oregon in a rematch should have. As for Cignetti, there isn’t a better story in college football. He took a perennial losing program and turned them into a D1 powerhouse.

The Game

Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

(10) Miami 13-2 vs (1) Indiana 15-0

ESPN 6:30pm

Hoosier Offense

Indiana outgained Alabama 407-193 in yardage in the Rose Bowl. In the Peach Bowl if you compare the stats, you may have a difficult time determining a winner. However, the three turnovers by Oregon suggest the outcome, with Indiana returning an interception for a touchdown on Oregon’s first offensive play. By halftime the score was 35-7 and the Hoosiers never looked back.

Indiana’s success lies with their offensive line, led by center Pat Coogan, the MVP of the Rose Bowl. One of the top units in the Big Ten, whether running the ball or pass protecting, they have controlled the line of scrimmage all season. The Hoosiers rush for an average of 220.7 yards per game at a 5.4 yard per carry clip.

Top rushers are running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. In the two playoff games they have the following rushing totals, Hemby,142 yards, a 4.0ypc average, and 1 TD. Black, 162 yards, a 5.9ypc average, and 3 TDs.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza returns home to Miami after finishing the season with 3,172 yards passing, a 72.3% complete rate, 36 TDs, and 6 interceptions. His 36 TDs led the FBS. In two playoff games so far, Mendoza has 8 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions, and 5 incompletions in 36 attempts. Yes, he has more touchdown passes than incompletions. It’s a crazy statistic.

Mendoza has multiple targets starting with his three top WR’s, Charlie Becker, Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt. In the two playoff games Becker has 4 receptions for 99 yards, and 2 TDs. Cooper has 6 receptions for 52 yards and 2 TDs. Sarratt has 11 receptions for 115 yards and 3 TDs.

On the season Indiana averages 461.0 yards of total offense and 42.6 points per game. They are balanced with 242.7 yards passing and 218.3 yards rushing, making them one of the most productive offenses in the CFP.

Miami Defense

The Cane’s defense struggled early in the season but came alive over the last six games only allowing an average of 9.6 points per game. They allowed a total of 17 points in their two CFP games against Texas A&M and Ohio State. Things weren’t as easy against Ole Miss. They gave up 398 total yards and 27 points to the Rebels. However, the Cane’s held Ole Miss to 2/10 on 3^rd down and if you take away Kewan Lacey’s 73-yard run, only allowed 48 yards rushing on 20 carries. That’s a 2.3 yard per carry average. While the Cane’s entire defense is formidable, it’s defensive linemen Ruben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor that typically get things going. The pair terrorized offensive lines all season, registering 101 total tackles, 28.5 TFLs, 18.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 5 forced fumbles. Bain alone had three sacks against A&M. But Ole Miss neutralized the pair, taking them out of the game statistically, allowing no TFLs or sacks and 5 total tackles. Defensive backs Jakobe Thomas and Bryce Fitzgearld have combined for 11 interceptions on the season. As a defense the Canes have logged 96 TFLs, 47 sacks, 19 interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles. They must play better than they did against Ole Miss to have a shot against an explosive Indiana team.

Miami Offense

Georgia transfer, QB Carson Beck is 36-5 as a starter. The purpose of his going to Miami was to lead this team to a national championship. Beck’s performance against Ole Miss displayed his leadership and his desire to complete that task, giving his team a never-die mentality. His game winning run for a touchdown caught the Rebels off guard since he isn’t known for his ability to scramble. In three playoff games he has completed 56/83 passes for 509 yards, and 4 TDs. He relies heavily on the Miami running game to keep defenses honest.

Toting the rock for the Hurricanes is Mark Fletcher and Chamar Brown. In three games Fletcher has rushed for 395 yards for a 6.9 yard per carry average and 0 TDs. Brown has rushed for 80 yards and 2 TDs. Fletcher also had a receiving TD against Ohio State. Brown is more of a power runner and is used in short yardage.

From a receiving standpoint everything runs through WR’s Keelan Marion, CJ Daniels, and Malachi Toney. In the three playoff games Marion has 15 receptions for 183 yards and 1 TD. Daniels has 11 receptions for 104 yards, and 0 TDs. Toney has 15 receptions for 119 yards, and 2 TDs.

On the season Miami averages a total of 409.2 yards per game, with 254.6 yards passing and 154.6 yards rushing. They score on average 31.6 points per outing.

Indiana’s Defense

Over 15 games the Hoosier defense has only allowed 75 yards per game rushing and 185.9 yards passing, for a total of 260.9 yards and 11 points per game. As a unit, they’ve recorded 128 TFLs, 45 sacks, 18 interceptions, 47 pass deflections, 11 fumble recoveries, and 12 forced fumbles. They are a disruptive bunch, and the strength of the defense lies with the linebacking crew. Leading tacklers are linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Aiden Fisher. Hardy has logged 98 total tackles, 15 TFLs, 8 sacks, and 4 PDs. Fisher has 93 total tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 for a TD, 1 FF, and 1 FR. The 3^rd leading tackler is defensive back Louis Moore with 81. He is also the Hoosiers interception leader with 6. Indiana’s defense is talented and Cignetti has built a unit that plays with physicality. But this team is also tops in film study and preparation. That was evident with defensive back D’Angelo Ponds interception for a TD against Oregon on the opening play. Look for them to come out hot against Miami and try to set the tone early.

Outcome

This game pits Mendoza and Indiana’s high scoring offense against Miami’s pressure defense led by Ruben Bain. Will it be the best national championship game ever played? You never know. That’s why we continue to watch. I like to think the game will be competitive, but the Cignetti and Indiana story is too good to have but one ending. The Hoosiers offense wears the Hurricanes defense down and scores too many points for Beck and company to keep up.

OTC’s Pick – Indiana 31-21

As always, GO BIG RED NEBRAKSA!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!

Artwork by Lyle Harmon

Stats gathered from ESPN – Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

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