For the first time in what feels like a generation, the college football national championship game won’t feature the usual suspects. No Alabama.
No Georgia. No Clemson or Ohio State.
Instead, we’re getting a matchup that’s as refreshing as it is historic: Miami vs. Indiana.
One program chasing a return to glory it hasn’t tasted since 2001, and another trying to write its name into the history books for the very first time.
Let’s start with Miami. The Hurricanes haven’t lifted a national title trophy since their Big East days - yes, it’s been that long.
Back then, they were a powerhouse, steamrolling teams like Rutgers 61-0 on their way to the top. Fast forward to this season, and while the Canes didn’t exactly cruise through the regular season - taking losses to Louisville and SMU - they found their rhythm when it mattered most.
Once in the College Football Playoff, Miami locked in. They battled their way past Texas A&M, took down a perennial contender in Ohio State, and outlasted Ole Miss in a gritty semifinal. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective - and now they’re one win away from their first national championship in over two decades.
Indiana’s story? Completely different.
No legacy to reclaim. No past titles to lean on.
This is a program that’s never reached the mountaintop - and until recently, wasn’t even in the conversation. But in the new era of college football, where the transfer portal and NIL have reshaped the landscape, Indiana has become a blueprint for how to build fast and smart.
They’ve used the portal better than just about anyone, and their coaching staff has squeezed every ounce of potential out of this roster. Two years ago, this was a team with more losses than any other in major college football history.
Now? They’re 60 minutes away from a national title.
And here's a twist that might hit close to home for Rutgers fans: the Scarlet Knights beat both of these teams in 2023.
That season, Rutgers got off to a 4-1 start and pulled off a dramatic comeback in the rain to beat Michigan State. Then came a dominant 31-14 win over Indiana, powered by 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns from then-quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. That win pushed the Knights to 6-2 - and while they didn’t win another regular-season game, they capped the year with a memorable 31-24 victory over a depleted Miami squad in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Kyle Monangai ran wild for 163 yards on 25 carries in that game, and special teams delivered a signature moment when Timmy Ward recovered a blocked punt by Trevor Yaboa-Kodie for a touchdown. It was a gritty, emotional win that sent Rutgers into the offseason on a high note.
Since then, both Miami and Indiana have surged. The Hurricanes won 10 games last season with Cam Ward under center and rode that momentum into this year’s playoff run as the No. 10 seed. And now, they’re playing for a title - in their own backyard, no less, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Indiana’s rise has been even more dramatic. From bottom-dweller to championship contender in just two seasons, they’ve flipped the script in a way few could have predicted. It’s a Cinderella story, sure - but it’s also a testament to how quickly things can change in today’s college football world.
As for who fans are pulling for? According to SBNation Reacts, the majority of the country is backing Indiana. There’s something about a first-time champion that captures the imagination, and most fans believe the Hoosiers will not only win - but cover the 8.5-point spread they’ve been given over Miami, per FanDuel.
So now the stage is set. Miami vs.
Indiana. Old power vs. new blood.
A team trying to reclaim its place among the elite, and one trying to crash the party for the first time.
Kickoff is set for Monday, January 19th at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Whether you’re a Rutgers fan reflecting on what could’ve been, or just a college football diehard ready for something different, this one’s got all the ingredients: history, heart, and high stakes.