Mario Cristobal has already pulled off something special this season-guiding the Miami Hurricanes to the doorstep of a national title. But as impressive as that run has been, the biggest test still lies ahead. The Hurricanes are set to face an Indiana team led by Curt Cignetti, a squad that’s been steamrolling opponents all season and earning praise as one of the most dominant teams in recent college football memory.
Cristobal knows exactly what he’s up against. Indiana isn’t just good-they’re disciplined, physical, and relentless.
And Cignetti has them playing with a level of confidence and cohesion that’s hard to match. So it’s no surprise that Cristobal isn’t entertaining any distractions this week.
Miami’s head coach is keeping his eyes locked on the task at hand: preparing his team for the College Football Playoff National Championship.
In his own words, Cristobal made it clear that all focus is on the present. When asked about the future of the quarterback position in Miami, he didn’t bite. “The team’s focus is on the present and the Indiana game,” he said, declining to comment on any long-term plans under center.
And honestly, that’s the only mindset that makes sense right now. Because while Miami has questions to answer down the road-especially at quarterback-none of that matters if they don’t handle business against Indiana.
Right now, it’s about Carson Beck vs. Fernando Mendoza.
That’s the quarterback matchup we’re getting in the title game. Beck has been steady for Miami, and while he won’t be returning next season, he’s got one more shot to deliver on the biggest stage.
Mendoza, on the other hand, has been a revelation for Indiana, executing Cignetti’s offense with precision and poise beyond his years.
But make no mistake-this game won’t come down to just the quarterbacks. It’s about Cristobal’s ability to rally his team, to block out the noise, and to find a way to slow down an Indiana team that’s looked borderline unstoppable. It’s about trench play, defensive adjustments, and who can win the situational battles when the margin for error is razor-thin.
After the final whistle, Miami will have to face its quarterback future head-on. With Beck moving on, there’s a void to fill, and fans are already tossing around names like Sam Leavitt and Brendan Sorsby.
But both of those options come with complications. As it stands, Duke’s Darian Mensah seems like the most realistic possibility to take the reins in 2026.
Still, Cristobal isn’t letting that conversation creep into the locker room. Not now.
Not with a national championship on the line. And that’s the right call.
Because if Miami is going to shock the college football world and take down Indiana, it won’t be because of offseason plans or transfer portal rumors-it’ll be because they stayed locked in on the moment.
This is the kind of game that defines programs. For Cristobal and the Hurricanes, the opportunity is right in front of them. The only question now is: can they rise to meet it?