After a long, exciting college football season, it’s all come down to this on Monday night. The top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, 15-0 on the season and led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, battle the No. 10-ranked Miami Hurricanes, 13-2 this season and led by quarterback Carson Beck, in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The last college football game of the season will be played at Hard Rock Stadium, the Hurricanes’ home stadium, although Miami is the designated road team by virtue of its lower seeding.
Indiana has had an incredible turnaround in college football, led by no-nonsense head coach Curt Cignetti. Miami has head coach Mario Cristobal watching his players try and bring another college football championship to “The U.”
Miami Hurricanes Opt-Outs and Injury Report
Looking at the opt-outs for the Hurricanes ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship game, the only one listed at this point is defensive lineman Daylen Russell, who has entered the transfer portal.
But the Hurricanes do have a fairly lengthy injury report that’s worth checking out. As for those players who are out, they include linebacker Malik Bryant, tight end Elija Lofton, wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw, and defensive lineman Donta Simpson.
Defensive back Xavier Lucas will be out for the first half after getting a targeting penalty in the Hurricanes’ last game. Defensive back Damari Brown and defensive lineman Cole McConathy are listed as questionable for Monday’s championship clash.
There are no concerns over starting quarterback Beck, however, who earned an 83.3 PFSN CFB QB Impact score for his efforts through the 2025 college football regular season.
Indiana Hoosiers Opt-Outs and Injury Report
As for Indiana, when it comes to opt-outs, wide receiver Makai Jackson chose to enter the transfer portal, so he’s not going to be around on Monday night.
Injury-wise, Indiana also has a few players listed as out or questionable at this point.
MORE: Elijah Sarratt: How Indiana’s ‘Waffle House’ Became College Football’s Most Clutch Receiver
Among the Hoosiers who will be out include defensive linemen Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt; defensive backs Jah Jah Boyd, Amariyun Knighten, and Bryson Bonds; running back Lee Beebe Jr.; and defensive lineman Andrew DaPaepe. Kicker Brendan Franke is listed as questionable at this point.
What about Mendoza and his PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics? Mendoza posted an impact score of 93.3 and graded out to an A. Only Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia graded higher than Mendoza in the PFSN metrics.
How to Watch the CFP National Championship Game
ESPN will telecast the CFP National Championship Game.
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL
- TV: ESPN
ESPN will have its top college football broadcast team on the call. Longtime ESPN college football play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler will call the action, while analyst Kirk Herbstreit joins Fowler in the booth. On the sidelines, Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath will provide updates from the Hurricanes and Hoosiers.
Streaming services will have the CFP National Championship Game available. Fans can use the ESPN app or choose Fubo, Hulu + Live, and Sling as options, among others. Streaming services probably will need subscriptions to use them, so check them out.
