Miami vs. Indiana — January 19, 2026

It still feels strange typing National Championship and Indiana in the same sentence, but here we are — and at this point, it’s impossible to argue otherwise.

Indiana isn’t just deserving to be here. They are, without question, the best team in college football.

Miami vs. Indiana

College Football National Championship — January 19

Indiana has done everything you could possibly ask of a team. An undefeated Big Ten championship, followed by dominant playoff wins over Alabama and Oregon — not squeakers, not fluky wins, but complete, wire-to-wire beatdowns.

This team doesn’t just win games. They break opponents.

Miami deserves credit. The Hurricanes have looked like the second-best team in the playoff, and in most years, that might be enough. The problem for Miami is that this isn’t most years. This is a year where the best team in the country is operating on an entirely different level.

I was on a group thread with my buddies watching the Indiana vs. Oregon game, and someone casually said the national title line would probably be Indiana -4.5. My immediate reaction was: leverage everything and put the house on Indiana. There was absolutely no way this game wouldn’t be lined at more than a touchdown.

We got a two-score line at Indiana -8.5, and honestly, I still don’t think it’s enough.

Indiana should win this game by three scores.

Now, could a late Miami touchdown sneak in and make things uncomfortable? Of course. That’s why it’s called betting. But over four quarters, Indiana’s physicality, discipline, and coaching edge should separate in a big way.

This team is relentless. They don’t take their foot off the gas, and they don’t get sloppy with a lead.

Total Breakdown: Why I Love the Over

I also love the over 48.5.

Indiana will score — that’s a given at this point. And while Miami may struggle early, I expect them to find the scoreboard enough to push this total over. Whether it’s Indiana doing most of the damage or Miami contributing late, this game has too much offensive talent and too much pace to stay under.

Best Bets

✅ Indiana -8.5
✅ Over 48.5

Final Thoughts

What Coach Cignetti has done is nothing short of insane. Building a program that’s not only winning championships but dominating the sport, and doing it in two years, feels almost unreal.

This looks like the beginning of a dynasty, not a one-off run.

Indiana is on top of the mountain — and I don’t think they’re coming down anytime soon.

Good luck.

Before you place your final bet of the college football season, make sure you’re using the Golden Camel App to compare odds across sportsbooks and lock in the best possible number. And if you haven’t already, check out our College Football Playoff Semi-Finals Recap, Predictions & Best Bets to see how this Indiana run took shape and why this championship matchup felt inevitable weeks ago.