What to KnowIndiana won the coin toss and opted to defer, so the Hoosiers will have the ball to open the second half.After just a field goal in the first quarter, Indiana scored the game’s first touchdown with about six minutes left in the second through tight end Riley Nowakowski powering the roc k home.The No. 1-seeded Hoosiers are led by Fernando Mendoza, who is also expected to be the top pick in April’s NFL draft as the QB-needy Las Vegas Raiders go first.The No. 10 Hurricanes have fifth-year quarterback Carson Beck under center, who left Georgia after four seasons. Miami is playing underdog in front of a home crowd, as Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Dolphins, is the venue for the showdown.The game will be available to watch on TV via ESPN, with streaming on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.Indiana has never won the national championship. The 2026 appearance is also the program’s first in the final.Miami has won five national championships, but none since 2001. Along with the 2001 victory, the Hurricanes hoisted the trophy in 1983, 1987, 1989 and 1991. The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is between the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 10-seeded Miami Hurricanes. Follow along for live updates. ...read more read less