When Indiana and Miami meet under the bright lights Monday night for the College Football Playoff National Championship, it won’t just be a battle for the sport’s biggest prize-it’ll also be a rare reunion between two programs with almost no shared history. In fact, this will be just the third time the Hoosiers and Hurricanes have ever faced off, and the first time in nearly 60 years.
The all-time series? Dead even.
One win apiece. That’s it.
No long-standing rivalry, no recent matchups to lean on, and no historical edge to exploit. Just two games, both played in the 1960s, both in South Florida, and both with a different winner.
The first meeting came in 1964, when Indiana rolled into Miami and left with a 28-14 win. The Hoosiers controlled that game from start to finish, setting the tone early and never letting go.
Two years later, in 1966, Miami returned the favor. This time, the Hurricanes held serve at home, grinding out a 14-7 victory to even the series.
And then… nothing. Decades passed.
No rematch, no scheduling chatter. Conference affiliations and geography kept them apart-until now.
That long pause makes Monday’s matchup feel even more unique. There’s no psychological baggage, no film to dig up from recent meetings, and no coaching familiarity to lean on. This is a clean slate, and both teams are writing a brand-new chapter on the biggest stage in college football.
Indiana, for its part, has undergone a stunning transformation. This is a program that hadn’t won a single postseason game since 1991.
Now? The Hoosiers are steamrolling through the playoff bracket, having dismantled Alabama and Oregon by 35 and 29 points, respectively.
They’re not sneaking into the title game-they’ve kicked the door down.
At the heart of Indiana’s rise is Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. The quarterback has been nothing short of sensational this season, throwing for over 40 touchdowns while keeping mistakes to a minimum with just six interceptions. His poise and production have been the driving force behind Indiana’s unexpected surge.
On the other side, Miami brings championship pedigree-and plenty of it. The Hurricanes have five national titles to their name, though the last one came back in 2001.
This year’s run feels like a throwback to those dominant Miami teams of the past. Entering the playoff as a double-digit seed, the Hurricanes have taken the long road to the title game, knocking off Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss in succession.
Leading the charge is Carson Beck, a seasoned quarterback who transferred in after five years at Georgia. Beck’s career numbers are eye-popping-over 11,000 passing yards and nearly 90 touchdowns. He brings experience and a steady hand to a team that’s been through the fire and come out stronger.
So what we’ve got here is a fascinating contrast. Indiana, the upstart, riding a wave of momentum and confidence. Miami, the battle-tested powerhouse, leaning on its legacy and a veteran quarterback to bring another banner back to Coral Gables.
There’s no past dominance to lean on. No recent history to reference. Just two programs, one trophy, and a game that promises to be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.