The college football world is forever changed after Jan. 19, 2025, as the Indiana Hoosiers (No. 1) dominated and took victory against the Miami Canes (No. 10) in a 27-21 win in the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is an annual college football postseason bowl game that includes twelve NCAA Division I college football teams that face off and compete to win the national championship.
The game was very intense with both teams being ranked top ten in the NCAA Division I bracket. The anticipation for the game was high; both teams were expected to play a good game, but most predicted that the Canes would win. The Miami Canes’ key was their strong defensive line with players like Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor on the front lines towering over 6’ and weighing more than 250 pounds. Both players are mobile, able to defend, and have strong football IQ.
The Indiana Hoosiers’ strength lay in their discipline and physicality. The Hoosiers’ ability to remain disciplined throughout the season allows them to protect the ball and avoid self-inflicted errors through penalties, as they were the second-least penalized team and led the nation in turnover margin.
Both teams were led by great quarterbacks, but one stood out the most; MVP of the game, 2026 Heinemann Trophy winner, Indiana player Fernando Mendoza. Fernando played a pivotal role in the game as quarterback and his game winning touchdown. Closing the game with it being 4th down on the 12-yard line, Fernando ran the ball to Miami’s end zone to put the Hoiosiers ahead and lead the game 21-14.
“It just means so much to my family, playing in Miami against the University of Miami, kind of the journey, it’s kind of like a full circle moment,” Mendoza said after winning the national championship on Monday.
Fernando deceived the game at a “full circle moment” because coming out of high school, he was only a two-star recruit, with one offer, and was declined a walk-on offer by the University of Miami. In the championship game, he returned to his hometown and beat the team that once overlooked him.
“The College Football Playoff trophy now heads to the most unlikely of places: Bloomington, Indiana—a campus that endured a nation-leading 713 losses over 130-plus years of football before Cignetti arrived two years ago to embark on a revival for the ages,” said an NPR Kera article, “Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami.” written by the Associated Press.
This game and season have changed the trajectory of Indiana’s football program. Firstly, having their first undefeated season with a 16-0 record, being ranked No. 1 in the nation, and finishing their season off with a National championship for the first time.