January 19, 2026. Not only was it Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but it was also the FBS National Championship game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes. 

Indiana came in undefeated at 15-0 with wins over Alabama and Oregon. The Hoosiers, led by Curt Cignetti, were looking for their first title in program history.

Miami came in at 13-2 with wins over Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. The Hurricanes, led by Mario Cristobal, last won the National Championship in 2001, where they defeated Nebraska in Pasadena, California. The Canes essentially had home-field advantage, since this year, the game was held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Considering how badly Indiana had crushed its previous opponents, Miami made this one very competitive. Indiana jumped out to an early lead, 10-0, going into the half. Miami came out in the third quarter and scored an early touchdown, then Indiana blocked a punt to score a touchdown.

Then, the turning point of the game came when Cignetti’s team went for it on fourth down with 10:55 left in the game. Five yards from the line to gain on the Miami 37-yard line, QB Fernando Mendoza launched a 19-yard pass to WR Charlie Becker, and the duo was able to convert on fourth down. Shortly thereafter, 4th & 4 from the Miami 12-yard line arose. Mendoza took the snap, tucked the ball in, and ran for dear life. He made it past the line to gain, but was hungry for more.

He leaped into the end zone for a score, giving Indiana a two-score lead at 24-14.

The Canes had a strong fourth quarter, making it a 24-21 game, then Indiana kicked a field goal to make it 27-21. Miami was driving late in the game with a chance to win, but Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe intercepted the pass, ending the game. Indiana won 27-21 and completed their undefeated season. Miami ends the season off on an incredibly strong note, despite falling just short. The Hoosiers, on the other hand, completed their dominant year, which was one of the most successful seasons in recent history. 

Now that the college football season is over, players will continue to be recruited and commit to schools, and the transfer portal will be very active.