Miami vs. Indiana College Football National Championship: How to Watch with Sling
The College Football National Championship between Miami and Indiana is one of the biggest surprises in all of sports. Here’s a preview and how to watch with Sling.
The College Football season comes to an end with the College Football National Championship between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami on Monday, Jan. 19 on ESPN. To watch with a 1 Day Pass subscription, use the link below, or to watch the National Championship, plus the NFL Divisional Round playoff game between the Patriots and Texans on ESPN, as well as the NBA League Pass free preview from Jan. 13 to 19, subscribe to a 7 Day Pass.
How to Watch Miami vs. Indiana in the College Football National Championship with Sling
https://youtu.be/hHWIVAp1afg?si=NsKV4x7SKnGr75Qx
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 1 Indiana in the College Football National Championship is available with a 1 Day Pass ($4.99), 7 Day Pass ($14.99), or 3 Day Pass ($9.99) subscription.
When is Miami vs. Indiana?
The College Football National Championship between the Hoosiers and the Hurricanes takes place Monday, January 19 at 7:30 pm ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.
What Channel is Miami vs. Indiana?
The Hoosiers vs. the Hurricanes in the College Football National Championship will air on ESPN. To watch ESPN with Sling, subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass, or purchase a monthly subscription to Sling Orange or Orange + Blue.
What are the Odds for Miami vs. Indiana in the College Football Playoff?
According to DraftKings, the Hoosiers are currently 8.5-point favorites against the ‘Canes. The Over/Under line is currently 48.5 points.
Miami vs. Indiana Playoff Game Preview and Details
https://youtu.be/-BoYdFCeyBg?si=YnypuDWAQnlu9Oaa
Looking back five months at the 2025 preseason rankings, you’ll see the two teams now playing for the National Championship were ranked 10th (Miami) and 20th (Indiana), respectively. And who could have thought that the preseason No. 20 team in the country would now be in the conversation, in some circles, as one of the greatest college football teams of all time? Yes, the same program that went 3-9 just two years ago and has had only three winning seasons since 1993. Welcome to the portal era, where if you have the right coach and an eye for talent, you can go from doormat to dominance.
In just two seasons at Indiana, Curt Cignetti is beginning to look like the man who could take over the mantle as the next Nick Saban of the sport. Hyperbole or not, this is no disrespect to the Kirby Smart’s, Ryan Day’s, or Dabo Swinney’s of the world. Sustained success in college football is incredibly hard, especially in today’s landscape. Saban won six national titles over 16 years in Tuscaloosa, so we’ll see how the Cignetti era looks a decade from now. But for now, it’s an unprecedented turnaround, and the Hoosiers will face off against a Miami program that went 7–6 just two years ago, losing to Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Head coach Mario Cristobal went 12-13 over his first two years in Coral Gables, but to the administration’s credit, they stuck with him. Cristobal has instilled his tough, physical culture at “The U,” and for the first time since the early 2000s, the Canes look like they’re “back.” It’s a term Cristobal refuses to acknowledge, but watching their elite defense, powerful running game, and electric players like Malachi Toney, it’s hard not to think Miami will be around for a while.
So how will the 2026 College Football National Championship shake out? The game is being played on the Hurricanes’ home field, yet it’s expected there will be more red than orange at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night. The current line shows the Hoosiers as a 7.5-point favorite, and it’s with good reason. Cignetti and his team dismantled Alabama and Oregon en route to the national championship game. They’ve looked like the better-prepared team and have dominated all three phases.
However, the one team that kept it close against Indiana was Ohio State. Miami handled the Buckeyes thanks to a dominant ground game and an elite defense. If Miami is going to have a shot in this game, they’ll have to rely on what got them here: running the football, creating havoc on defense, and Carson Beck continuing to avoid costly mistakes. The Canes have rushed for over 150 yards in every playoff game behind Mark Fletcher and an offensive line with an average weight of 330 pounds.
Defensively, Miami showed some gaps against Ole Miss and Trindidad Chambliss, but who hasn’t? Against Ohio State and Texas A&M, they shut down two offenses that have been excellent all year. As for Carson Beck, he hasn’t had ‘that’ moment where he loses his team a game. He’s been a game manager when needed, while also delivering in big moments, particularly against Ole Miss.
But Indiana has overpowered every opponent and rarely beats itself. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza has more touchdown passes than incompletions in this playoff! The Hoosiers boast a dominant offensive line, along with three relentless running backs Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Khobie Martin, who bring both speed and power. Then there’s the three headed monster at wide receiver: Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt, and Charlie Becker. It’s a tall task, even for a defense as capable as Miami’s.
Still, their performance against Ohio State shows there is a path for the Hurricanes, albeit a narrow one. Miami must play a near perfect game, force turnovers, and put pressure on Indiana early. Otherwise, Indiana’s consistency and execution level may simply be too high. From a coaching standpoint, Cristobal has shown over the years that he can make some questionable decisions, while Cignetti leaves no stone unturned.
Either way, on Monday night we’ll see either a first-time National Champion or a long-awaited return to glory more than 20 years in the making.
Who: No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football National Championship.
When: Monday, January 19 at 7:30pm ET on ESPN
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.
How to watch: ESPN is available on Sling with a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass subscription or Sling Orange or Orange + Blue.