As the college football season barrels toward its dramatic conclusion, all eyes turn to Monday night’s national championship clash between the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers and the resurgent Miami Hurricanes. For Indiana, it’s not just about chasing their first national title-it’s about putting the finishing touch on a perfect season and potentially etching their name among the all-time greats. For Miami, it’s a shot at reclaiming national relevance, even without an ACC title in hand.
But in a weekend where the NFL playoffs are narrowing the field from four teams to two, college football is fighting for its share of the spotlight. And longtime SEC analyst Paul Finebaum isn’t shy about calling it like he sees it.
“It’ll be a cute story,” Finebaum said during an appearance on The Matt Barrie Show, referring to the title game. “It’ll get some attention Tuesday morning, but really-it’s all about what’s next in the NFC and AFC Championship games.”
That may sound dismissive, but it’s more a reflection of the NFL’s gravitational pull than a knock on the programs involved. Still, when it comes to what’s happening on the field, Finebaum sees something potentially historic brewing in Bloomington.
“If Indiana finishes this thing off, they’ve got a real case to be considered one of the best single-season teams we’ve seen,” Finebaum said on SportsCenter. “A week from now, we might be talking about them in the same breath as some of the most dominant teams in modern college football history.”
He didn’t stop there. Finebaum drew a direct line to the 2019 LSU Tigers, a team that left scorched earth behind them on their way to a national title. That group, led by Joe Burrow and featuring a trio of future Heisman finalists at wide receiver, redefined offensive firepower.
“I said it then, and I’ll say it again-that LSU team was one of the most explosive, most exciting teams I’ve ever seen,” Finebaum recalled. “There were three Heisman finalists playing for Alabama in that game, and LSU still lit them up.
That was DeVonta Smith out there. If Indiana blows out Miami, they could be in that conversation.”
It’s a lofty comparison, but not an unreasonable one. Indiana has been methodical, efficient, and relentless all season long. They’ve handled adversity, dominated both sides of the ball, and come into this game with the kind of momentum championship teams ride all the way to the trophy.
For Miami, the stakes are different-but no less meaningful. This is a proud program with a rich history, and a win Monday would signal a return to national prominence. Even without an ACC crown, taking down an unbeaten Indiana team on the biggest stage would be a statement.
So while the NFL may dominate the headlines, don’t sleep on what’s happening in college football. The Hoosiers have a shot to make history.
The Hurricanes have a chance to play spoiler. And fans?
We get to sit back and watch it all unfold.
No matter what happens Monday night, it’s a weekend packed with high-stakes football. And that’s always worth tuning in for.