"Indiana, which entering this season was the sport's all-time losingest team at the Division I level, is looking to provide one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the sport's history with a remarkable ending. After an 11-2 first season under coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have blown through the college football circuit in his second campaign -- entering the title game as the No. 1 seed with a 15-0 record and an average margin of victory of 34.5 points across their first two playoff games."
"Miami is hoping to bring one of the sport's most storied programs back to the mountaintop. "The U" won five national titles across the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, boasting future NFL stars such as Ray Lewis and Reggie Wayne. In contrast to Indiana's dominance, Hurricanes alum Mario Cristobal has brought his alma mater back to the championship game with a string of clutch performances."
Indiana completed a dramatic turnaround under coach Curt Cignetti, entering the 2026 CFP title game unbeaten at 15-0 and seeded No. 1 after overwhelming opponents with a 34.5-point average margin in its first two playoff games. Miami, a program with five past national titles, reached the championship through late-game heroics under alum coach Mario Cristobal, delivering or preventing game-changing touchdowns in the final minute of each playoff match. Betting markets list Indiana as a 7.5-point favorite, but Miami gains home-field familiarity at Hard Rock Stadium. High ticket prices above $3,000 reflect intense fan demand.
Read at ESPN.com
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