Miami vs. Indiana Championship Game Betting Tips

Two years ago, Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walked into the worst college football program in history. And when he took the basketball court at Assembly Hall to be introduced, he brashly vowed that the Indiana Hoosiers would win big and defeat the biggest brands in college football.

The majority of observers laughed and said he was a clown. Cignetti is one win away from having the biggest last laugh in history.

Cignetti has usurped Lane Kiffin as the undisputed King of the Portal. When Indiana hired Cig as head coach, he brought all the key players from his James Madison team to Indiana and immediately started winning.

This year, he imported Cal QB Fernando Mendoza from the portal and turned him into a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. Now, the impossible dream needs only one final win to come true.

On January 19, the Hoosiers will face the Miami-FL Hurricanes for the national championship with the Hoosiers favored on the college football spread.

Miami is loaded with NFL talent, but failed to make the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game. However, the Canes have saved their best for last and are playing their best football of the season.

Miami-FL vs. Indiana Championship Game Preview

On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Indiana Hoosiers will meet the Miami-FL Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Kickoff time is 7:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on ESPN.

Public Betting Odds Factors

• The Hurricanes may have a home-field advantage with a “neutral site” game being played on their home field.

• Indiana has been the more dominant team in the College Football Playoff compared to Miami, which has had close call wins against the Ole Miss Rebels and Texas A&M Aggies to make the championship game.

• Gamblers are awe-struck with Indiana, as they should be.

• Miami often frustrates gamblers by not fully playing up to its ability.

Miami-FL vs. Indiana Championship Game Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider 

• Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti is the biggest asset in this matchup.

• Cignetti is a no-nonsense coach who will not allow his team to get caught up in the hype.

• Indiana is a team that makes fewer mistakes and plays with more discipline than Miami and that is one reason they are favored in college football daily lines
• Miami head coach Mario Cristobal often forces his team to play in a shell with ultra-conservative game plans.

• Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is the best and most impactful player on the field.

Miami-FL vs. Indiana Championship Game Prime Best Bet: Indiana Hoosiers 

Miami-FL vs. Indiana Championship Game Betting Tips

• Indiana opened as a 7.5-point favorite on the college football spread, and Miami is a +7.5-point dog.

• Miami opened as a +265 moneyline dog with Indiana a -330 favored in college football money lines.

• The Hoosiers and Hurricanes opened with a total of 48.5.

Miami-FL Hurricanes 

• Miami ranks 26^th for total offense, 22^nd for passing, 62^nd for rushing, 34^th for scoring, and 40^th for fewest turnovers committed.

• Miami ranks 21st in total defense, 62nd vs. the pass, 7th vs. the rush, 4th in fewest points allowed, and 12th in takeaways.

• Last game, the Miami Hurricanes won 31-27 against the Ole Miss Rebels as 3.5-point favorites.

• The game went over the total of 52.5.

• Miami is 13-2 straight up, 10-5 against the spread, and 6-9 over/under the total.

• Miami has covered five out of its most recent six games.

• Miami went under the total in three of its last four matchups.

Indiana Hoosiers 

• Indiana ranks 5^th for total offense, 36^th for passing, 8^th for rushing, 5^th for scoring, and 3^rd for fewest turnovers committed.

• Indiana ranks 7^th for total defense, 33^rd vs. the pass, 3^rd vs. the rush, 2^nd for fewest points allowed, and 7^th for takeaways.

• Last game, the Indiana Hoosiers won 56-22 against the Oregon Ducks as 3.5-point favorites.

• The game went over the total of 50.5.

• Indiana is 15-0 straight up, 10-5 against the spread, and 9-6 over/under the total.

• Indiana has covered its last four games.

• Indiana went under the total in two of its last three matchups.

Miami-FL vs. Indiana Championship Game Head-to-Head and Key Stats

• The Hoosiers covered the spread in 14 of their last 20 games when laying points.

• The Hoosiers went over the total in 14 of their last 20 games as a favorite.

• The Hurricanes covered the spread in five of their last six games when getting points.

• The Hurricanes went under the total in three of their most recent five games as a dog.