Miami vs. Indiana live score, updates, highlights from 2026 College Football Playoff championship

By | January 19, 2026
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At Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night, college football’s past and future collide in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship. After all the chaos since August — from record-breaking performances to historic upsets to the seismic realignment of the sport’s power structure — there are two teams remaining, and it is the perfect pair to play for a title under the lights in Miami.

On one sideline stands the top-ranked and undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. Just two years ago, this was the ‘losingest’ program in Power Four history. Then came Curt Cignetti, who famously told the world to ‘Google him‘ because all he does is win. Cignetti hasn’t just turned the program around — he has engineered a two-year stretch unlike anything the sport has ever seen.

Behind Indiana’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers have become a clinical machine, capturing their first Big Ten title since 1945 and achieving a No. 1 ranking that felt impossible only a few years ago. As Cignetti famously said, they don’t just win; they “beat the s— out of them.” Now, they look to become the first team in major college football history to finish a season 16-0. 

Across the field, playing in their home stadium — though designated as the road team — are the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. After two decades of searching for an identity, Mario Cristobal has finally restored the championship DNA to Coral Gables. Led by veteran quarterback Carson Beck and a ferocious defensive front that leads the nation in sacks, Miami has bullied its way through the playoff bracket.

The storylines are as deep as the rosters. Mendoza, the Heisman winner, grew up less than a mile from the UM campus and attended the same high school as Cristobal. The ties are intergenerational: Mendoza’s father was a high school teammate of Cristobal’s, and his mother was a standout tennis player for the Hurricanes. Tonight, the kid who was once passed over by his hometown program returns to South Florida as the most decorated player in the country, aiming to spoil Miami’s homecoming.

This matchup is a collision of two incredible journeys: the Cignetti Revolution, which turned a historical underdog into a juggernaut, and the Miami Restoration, which returned the swagger to ‘The U.’ One is fighting to rewrite the record books; the other is fighting to reclaim a throne. Tonight, the storybook runs come to an end, and only one team gets to write the final sentence in championship gold.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Miami vs. Indiana in the 2026 CFP national championship game. Follow below for complete results from the College Football Playoff finale.

STREAM: Watch Indiana vs. Miami live with Fubo (free trial)

Miami vs. Indiana football score

SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule

Miami vs. Indiana live updates, highlights from 2026 CFP championship game

All times ET.

8:46 p.m.: Now it’s 3rd & 12 for the Hoosiers, with two Hemby runs getting swallowed up by the Miami front. Both defensive lines have been superior to start the game.

8:44 p.m.: Black and Hemby each got runs, but they go for short gains. Indiana once again faces a third down.

This time, with six yards to gain, Mendoza tries targeting Sarratt, and though it comes up incomplete a pass interference penalty on Frederique moves the ball 12 yards to the spot of the foul.

Indiana advances all the way up to the Miami 46.

8:42 p.m.: After a completion to Nowakowski sets up a 3rd & 1, Indiana moves the chains behind a Black run that gets just enough. 

The Hoosiers are up to the 39.

8:41 p.m.: Indiana has a first down to start the drive, with Sarratt taking a curl route past the line to gain.

8:37 p.m.: The next play, Marty Brown Jr. tries to get a first down with a run up the middle but he gets engulfed by the Hoosiers, who lead the nation in pressure rate.

It’s star tackle Mikail Kamara who gets the running back, and now Miami has to punt again. Indiana has the ball back inside its 20.

So far, the Hurricanes have 19 total yards of offense.

8:36 p.m.: The Hurricanes are going tempo to start the drive. A second down pass to C.J. Daniels sets up a 3rd & short.

8:34 p.m.: On the first play of the second quarter, Toney almost stayed up after slipping but was down. Miami will start its drive at the 31.

End of the first quarter: Indiana 3, Miami 0

8:30 p.m.: Miami forces a three-and-out.

On 3rd & 15, a screen pass to Hemby is quickly stopped, and it leads us to the end of the first quarter in Miami. The Hurricanes will get the ball back to start the second quarter.

After 15 at Hard Rock Stadium, the No. 1 Hoosiers lead, with a field goal as the only score.

8:29 p.m.: On play one for Indiana, Hemby takes a carry to the left, but he’s swallowed up behind the line of scrimmage by Bain, who has already been a factor tonight. It’s a six-yard loss. The next Hemby carry goes straight to Ahmad Moten. Indiana is behind schedule, facing a 3rd & 15.

8:28 p.m.: Two pass breakups on first and second down, including by All-Big Ten corner D’Angelo Ponds, bring Miami to a 3rd & 10.

Then, the captain of Indiana’s defense, linebacker Aiden Fisher, gets to Beck on third down. No. 4 bull rushes and slams Beck to the ground for the first sack of the game.

For the third straight drive, Miami has to punt. Indiana will start its next drive at the 27.

Indiana 3, Miami 0

8:19 p.m. FIELD GOAL: The Hoosiers face a 3rd & 6 inside the red zone. Mendoza goes for his roomate, Charlie Becker, in the end zone down the right sideline, but it is broken up by O.J. Frederique, who is playing his first game since November.

Though Indiana does not find paydirt, Niko Radicic comes in for the first points of the game. He hits a 34-yarder, and Indiana (both literally and metaphorically) draws first blood.

8:17 p.m.: Mendoza has taken quite a beating early in the first quarter. A possible targeting penalty was not called Miami’s Jakobe Thomas.

The quarterback is in the game, but has a bloody lip.

8:16 p.m.: On 3rd & 5 inside the 30, it’s a handoff to Kaelon Black, who bursts seven yards for a first down.

The Hoosiers are the first team in the red zone.

8:15 p.m.: It’s another first down for Indiana, with Riley Nowakowski sitting in the middle of the field and grabbing a curl route for enough yardage.

Indiana is finding its rhythm on drive two.

8:13 p.m.: After a false start penalty made it 2nd & 9, Elijah Sarratt gets his first target of the game and gets enough for a first down. 

The Hoosiers are the first team in opponent territory tonight, with a new set of downs at the Hurricanes 45.

8:11 p.m.: On the first play for Indiana, Bain was trying to get to Mendoza but was locked up by Indiana’s Kent Benson. It’s a holding penalty, moving the Hoosiers back 10 yards.

Though, the Hoosiers get the yardage back and more right away, with Mendoza hitting Cooper Jr. over the middle of the field. No. 3 breaks a tackler and goes all the way past the first down marker for 25 yards.

8:08 p.m.: Facing a 3rd & 5, Beck was going for Keelan Marion, but it’s broken up by the sixth-year senior Louis Moore. Miami goes three-and-out on its second drive.

After a punt and fair catch, Indiana will start at its 29.

8:07 p.m.: Fletcher opens up Miami’s second drive with a four-yard drive to the right.

Though, on second down, he gets swallowed up at the line of scrimmage by Mario Landino.

8:03 p.m.: Two plays, both to Roman Hemby, go for two yards, setting up a 3rd & 8 for the Hoosiers.

Though, the No. 1 third down offense in the country can’t convert early on. Reuben Bain Jr. and the Hurricanes’ defense got to Mendoza, forcing him to scramble and throw it away.

Just like Miami, the Hoosiers have to punt on drive one. After a return by Toney was negated by a penalty, Beck and co. have the ball back and will start at the 23.

8:01 p.m.: One play, one first down for the Hoosiers.

Mendoza swings it out right to Omar Cooper Jr., who makes a defender miss and muscles his way past the chains.

7:57 p.m.: Beck has nobody on second down, setting up a 3rd & 8 for Miami.

Beck hits Toney out of the backfield, but it’s too short, going for three yards. Miami has to punt on the first drive of the game.

Indiana will start inside its 5 after a great punt by the Canes. Next up is Miami native and the Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza.

7:55 p.m.: On play one, it’s Mark Fletcher jr. barreling nine yards up the field.

The Hurricanes love to control the time of possession and run the ball. Fletcher had 133 yards in the CFP semis against Ole Miss as Miami had over 40 minutes of game time.

The next play, it’s the other Miami star Malachi Toney who takes a six yard completion for the first first down of the game.

7:52 p.m.: It is time. Indiana has kicked off and the National Championship is officially underway in Miami.

Here come Carson Beck and the Hurricanes offense.

7:50 p.m.: On the coin toss, Miami calls tails, which is the Hard Rock Stadium side of the coin.

Though, it lands on heads, and Indiana defers.

First, we’ll see Carson Beck and the Miami offense.

7:48 p.m.: Next up is the road team in their home stadium, the Miami Hurricanes.

Mario Cristobal has led his alma mater back to prominence, and now, they sit one win away from glory and a sixth national championship.

7:47 p.m.: Here come the No. 1 team in the country, the Indiana Hoosiers.

Curt Cignetti’s team is a win away from becoming the second team ever to be 16-0, and a win would finish the greatest turnaround in college football history.

7:45 p.m.: POTUS has officially arrived.

7:42 p.m.: The national anthem has been sang, and the ultimate game awaits.

The Hoosiers and Hurricanes will make their entrances soon.

7:39 p.m.: Indiana alum Mark Cuban is in the house, and he’s joined on the sidelines by the Sporting News’ own Bill Bender.

7:36 p.m.: The ESPN broadcast is underway, with teams making their entrances soon.

7:28 p.m.: The final “College GameDay” picks of the season.

Desmond Howard – Miami. Nick Saban – Miami. Marcus Freeman – Miami. Pat McAfee – Indiana.

If Curt Cignetti’s team didn’t need any more bulletin board material, here you go.

7:21 p.m.: Indiana is one of the top-scoring offenses in the country, and it starts with No. 15 Fernando Mendoza.

Pat McAfee brings you more on the Hoosier offense

7:20 p.m.: We’re getting closer and closer.

7:18 p.m.: Former Indiana quarterback Trent Green threw for over 5,400 yards during his time with the Hoosiers.

7:16 p.m.: Hard Rock Stadium is almost full, with kickoff less than 40 minutes away.

7:11 p.m.: Curt Cignetti has taken the college football world by storm, especially with his in-game facial expressions.

7:00 p.m.: There might not be a bigger celebrity in the college football world than Peter Herbstreit, who of course had to take it in from field level.

6:54 p.m.: The greatest quarterback of all time is in attendance.

Brady was on the 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team that won a share of the title.

6:52 p.m.: The President is on his way to Hard Rock Stadium.

6:47 p.m.: Kickoff is less than an hour away, and anticipation continues to build for the 2026 National Championship.

6:41 p.m.: Indiana and Miami both have honorary captains for tonight’s contest. On the Hoosier side is Adewale Ogunleye, who played for Indiana from 1996 to 199. For Miami, it’s the man who has been at every game so far, Michael Irvin.

6:30 p.m.: Speaking of Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner is on the field for warmups.

6:25 p.m.: Fernando Mendoza said that if Indiana makes the title game, he’d find a way for Lil Uzi Vert to be in attendance. Well, the rapper is officially in the house.

On the Miami side, D.J. Khaled is at Hard Rock Stadium.

6:15 p.m.: Both Carson Beck and Fernando Mendoza have arrived for the National Championship.

The two come from different stories. Mendoza, the Miami native, was an under-recruited quarterback who transferred from California, becoming Indiana’s first ever Heisman winner. Beck has been to the title game twice already as the backup of the Georgia Bulldogs; but, he wants “one of his own,” and can join elite company with a win tonight.

6:08 p.m.: Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza has the chance to put a storybook ending on his magical season in his hometown of Miami.

Mendoza grew up less than a mile away from the University of Miami campus, and he now faces the Hurricanes in their stadium for a national title.

5:55 p.m.: Want some more hype videos? ESPN’s Rece Davis has you covered.

5:52 p.m.: Here’s a little more information on the added security.

5:50 p.m.: In crimson and cream are the Indiana Hoosiers, who behind signal-caller Fernando Mendoza is one win away from one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history.

5:39 p.m.: Along with all the celebrities, the President of United States will be in attendance for the National Championship.

With the President in the house, there will be extra security for all fans. 

5:09 p.m.: Pregame coverage is underway, including ESPN’s “College GameDay.”

Join Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee and more for the final time of the season.

4:57 p.m.: Kickoff is only hours away and anticipation is building.

4:55 p.m.: Though they are playing in their home stadium, the Hurricanes will be decked out in their road whites tonight.

4:49 p.m.: Miami has been a dormant powerhouse for 20+ years, and with a win tonight will be back on top of the college football world since 2001.

The win would also be Miami’s first over the AP No. 1 team since 2000.

4:28 p.m.: The scene is set in Miami, Florida for the 2026 National Championship.

While the game is being played at the Hurricanes’ home stadium, expect a fair share of Indiana fans, who dominated the Peach Bowl.

It’s an easier commute for Hurricane fans, with Sebastian already at Hard Rock Stadium.

4:15 p.m.: College football fans, get your dose of hype videos before the season is over.

Chris Pratt gets us ready for tonight’s contest with his pregame trailer on ESPN:

4:04 p.m.: Of course, expect the stars to come out in Miami, including Mr. 305 himself.

3:37 p.m.: Then, of course, are the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers.

What was once the losingest program in college football history and the basement of the Big Ten is now the newest powerhouse in the sport. Curt Cignetti has turned the Hoosiers into a steamroller in two years, compiling a 26-2 record, the program’s first No. 1 ranking and first Big Ten title since 1945.

Tonight, a win would cap off the greatest turnaround in college football history. Indiana would join only Yale as teams to go 16-0 and win its first ever national championship in football.

This would be one of the best stories in not only college football, but sports history if the Hoosiers are victorious.

3:33 p.m.: First, the team playing in its home stadium but the designated “road team,” the Miami Hurricanes.

Many thought No. 10 Miami shouldn’t have been in the 12-team field, but now sit one win away from history. Mario Cristobal is looking to bring his alma mater to its sixth star and first since 2001.

The Hurricanes have stars on both sides of the ball. On offense, it’s two-time national champion Carson Beck at quarterback, joined by running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney. On defense, Miami leads the nation in sacks, with Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor at the helm.

Miami has made it back to the mountaintop and becomes the first team since 1998 (also Miami) to play the title game at their home stadium.

3:31 p.m.: Tonight, we crown a champion.

No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami are the last two standing. Will tonight be the return of a dormant powerhouse or the birth of a new one?

Either way, one legendary story gets its final sentence in championship gold.

MORE CFP CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS:

How to watch 2026 College Football Playoff championship

Miami vs. Indiana start time

  • Date: Monday, Jan. 19
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. PT

The College Football Playoff National Championship will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

While Miami is playing in its own backyard, the Hurricanes are actually the designated road team for this matchup. This marks the first time a team has played for the modern national title in its own stadium since the 1995 Orange Bowl. For Indiana, this is a historic debut; the Hoosiers have never played in this venue, making their first-ever trip to Hard Rock Stadium one with the ultimate stakes.

What channel is Miami vs. Indiana on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Fubo 

The National Championship will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. The network’s lead team of Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color commentator) will be on the call, joined by reporters Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath on the sidelines.

ESPN will also feature its signature Megacast for the title game, offering a variety of alternate viewing experiences:

  • Field Pass with Pat McAfee (ESPN2)
  • Command Center (ESPNU)
  • Skycast & All-22 (ESPN App)
  • Spanish Language Broadcast (ESPN Deportes)

Fans looking to stream the game can turn to Fubo, which often offers a free trial to new users.

College Football Playoff schedule 2026

Dec. 19

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
First-Round CFP game Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24 8 p.m. ESPN

Dec. 20

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
First-Round CFP game Miami 10, Texas A&M 3 12 p.m. TNT
First-Round CFP game Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10 4 p.m. TNT
First-Round CFP game Oregon 51, James Madison 34 8 p.m. ESPN

Dec. 31 

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
Cotton Bowl Classic (quarterfinal) Miami 24, Ohio State 14 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Jan. 1

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
Capital One Orange Bowl (quarterfinal) Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0 12 p.m. ESPN
Rose Bowl Game (quarterfinal) Indiana 38, Alabama 3 4 p.m. ESPN
Allstate Sugar Bowl (quarterfinal) Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34 8 p.m.  ESPN

Jan. 8

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (semifinal) Miami 31, Ole Miss 27 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Jan. 9

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (semifinal) Indiana 56, Oregon 22 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Jan. 19

Game Matchup Time (ET) TV
CFP National championship Indiana vs. Miami 7:30 p.m. ESPN

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