With my last hot take, I picked the Dallas Cowboys to make the playoffs while they were on their very promising mid-season stretch. Unfortunately, the Cowboys were not able to do enough to make the playoffs, making my record on hot takes this year 1-1-1. This week on Jan. 19, the Indiana Hoosiers play the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship and I think the Hoosiers will demolish the Hurricanes by 35+ points.
The Indiana Hoosiers have never won a national championship and the last time they had real success came when they made the Rose Bowl in 1967 and their playoff appearance last year in 2024. Head coach Curt Cignetti came to Indiana in 2024 and since then it’s been an immediate success. In 2023, Indiana went 3-9 and found themselves at the very bottom of the Big 10 conference. Since Cignetti has arrived, Indiana finished 11-2 in 2024, but currently leads themselves on a legendary run with a 15-0 record in the 2025-26 season. Cignetti brought in a transfer quarterback from the University of California this past season, and with little expectations, quarterback Fernando Mendoza finds himself as the face of college football. Mendoza had a historic season on the field, becoming the first Heisman winner in Indiana history. Off the field, Mendoza is just as likeable. Mendoza always gives his teammates praise which has been a key part to their success.
This playoff run, Indiana beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl 56-22. Indiana’s led by Mendoza, their star receivers and cornerback Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper jr. and D’Angelo Ponds. Although Indiana relies on their stars, they are all around very good at each position and that’s why they have been so dangerous to play. On the other side the Miami Hurricanes snuck into the playoffs as the 10 seed, but have been surprising everyone with the teams they have beat. In the first round Miami went on the road and beat Texas A&M 10-3, then played Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and won 24-14. In their semi-final game, the Hurricanes beat the Ole Miss Rebels 31-27. On offense Miami is led by quarterback Carson Beck and true freshman receiver Malachi Toney. On defense they have two of the top edge rushers in the nation, Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.
The current odds is Indiana to win by nine points according to ESPN. Both of these teams are very talented even though Miami’s had a great run in the playoffs, they stand no chance against Indiana. The Hoosiers are better than Miami in every aspect and Miami will struggle. The Indiana Hoosiers are going to beat Miami by at least 35 points.
