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The second year of the 12-team College Football Playoff provided several captivating stories leading up to Monday night’s title game showdown between No. 1 seed Indiana and No. 10 seed Miami. While the Hoosiers and Hurricanes provided many of the memorable moments, there were plenty to go around.
No. 6 seed Ole Miss emerged as one of the top stories of the sport’s postseason by winning a pair of CFP games after being deserted by coach Lane Kiffin, who left the Rebels in limbo when he left for LSU after the regular season. Oddly enough, Ole Miss — under the direction of new coach Pete Golding — was the last SEC team standing in the bracket.
The CFP National Championship Game matchup between the ACC’s Hurricanes and Big Ten’s Hoosiers ensured that the SEC’s title drought will continue for a third consecutive season. If the Hoosiers can finish their unbeaten campaign on Monday night with a win, they would become the Big Ten’s third straight champion, following in the footsteps of Michigan (2023-24) and Ohio State (2024-25).
An IU victory would cap a stunning rise for the once-moribund program under second-year coach Curt Cignetti. The 64-year old former Division II, FCS and Group of Five coach didn’t get a Power Four opportunity until he was in his early 60s, but he’s made the most of it by bringing the Hoosiers to the precipice of glory.
On the other side stands a formidable foe in Miami. The Hurricanes are a hard-nosed team that is physically imposing on both lines of scrimmage. Playing on their home field at Hard Rock Stadium under fourth-year coach Mario Cristobal, the ‘Canes will look to complete a storybook rise of their own.
Below, you can see the full College Football Playoff schedule as we move on to the national championship game.Â
2025-26 College Football Playoff schedule
All times Eastern
College Football Playoff National Championship
Monday, Jan. 19
(1) Indiana vs. (10) Miami — 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla. 2025-26 College Football Playoff scores, results
CBS Sports graphic
First round
Friday, Dec. 19
(9) Alabama 34, (8) Oklahoma 24 | Recap
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — Norman, OklahomaÂ
Saturday, Dec. 20
(10) Miami 10, (7)Â Texas A&MÂ 3:Â |Â Recap
Kyle Field — College Station, Texas(6) Ole Miss 41, (11) Tulane 10 | Recap
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Mississippi (5) Oregon 51, (12) James Madison 34 | Recap
Autzen Stadium — Eugene, Oregon QuarterfinalsCotton Bowl — (10) Miami 24, (2) Ohio State 14 | Recap
AT&T Stadium — Arlington, TexasOrange Bowl — (5) Oregon 23, (4) Texas Tech 0 | Recap
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla. Rose Bowl — (1) Indiana 38, (9) Alabama 3 | Recap
Rose Bowl — Pasadena, Calif.Sugar Bowl (6) Ole Miss 39, (3) Georgia 34Â | Recap
Caesars Superdome — New OrleansSemifinals Fiesta Bowl: (10) Miami 31, (6) Ole Miss 27 | Recap
State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Ariz. Peach Bowl: (1) Indiana 56, (5) Oregon 22 | Recap
Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta