The College Football Playoff semifinals just set up a national championship game that’s got everyone buzzing. Indiana and Miami both pulled off big wins in their matchups, and now, they’re prepping for what could be a historic showdown.
The Hoosiers are hoping to finish a perfect 16-0 season. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are hungry for their first title since 2001. Let’s break down the wild semifinals that led to this much-anticipated finale.
Indiana Dominates Oregon in the Peach Bowl
Indiana’s showing in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl was, honestly, kind of jaw-dropping. Right out of the gate, they scored a pick-six on Oregon’s first play.
That set the tone for the rest of the game. The Hoosiers never really let up after that.
Key Plays and Standout Performances
The defense was everywhere, forcing Oregon into mistake after mistake. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza kept things rolling by completing 17 of 20 passes, with five of those going for touchdowns.
Sophomore Daniel Ndukwe had a monster game too. He racked up two sacks, forced a fumble, and even blocked a punt that led to another Indiana score.
- D’Angelo Ponds: Pick-six on the first play of the game
- Fernando Mendoza: Completed 17 of 20 passes, five touchdowns
- Daniel Ndukwe: Two sacks, forced fumble, blocked punt
Indiana’s offense just kept humming, and their defense kept the pressure on. They were up 42-7 early in the second half and, honestly, it was never close after that.
The final score? 56-22. Indiana looked every bit like the best team in the country.
Miami Edges Out Ole Miss in a Thriller
The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl was a whole different vibe. Miami and Ole Miss went back and forth, trading the lead and making things tense right up to the end.
Miami made their share of mistakes—dropped interceptions, penalties, a few missed chances. But they managed to pull off a 31-27 win, thanks to a late touchdown drive from Carson Beck.
Critical Moments and Player Highlights
Miami controlled the clock for much of the game, which helped. Still, they struggled to turn turnovers into points, which kept Ole Miss in it.
With just 18 seconds left, Beck ran it in from three yards out to finally put Miami ahead for good.
- Carson Beck: Led a 75-yard touchdown drive, scored the game-winning touchdown
- Keelan Marion: Seven catches for 114 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown
- Mark Fletcher Jr.: Rushed for 133 yards
Ole Miss didn’t go quietly. Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy made some big plays, but the Rebels just couldn’t close it out in the final seconds.
With that, Miami punched their ticket to their first national title game in 23 seasons. Not bad, right?
Looking Ahead: The National Championship Game
Now, Indiana and Miami are set to meet in the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T. The game’s at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, which adds a little something extra since the Hurricanes get to play at home.
Indiana’s Path to Perfection
The Hoosiers have been steady and dominant all year. They’re on the verge of a 16-0 season, which is just wild to think about.
If they pull it off, they’ll join Yale as the only major college football programs to ever do it. Mendoza and the defense have been the backbone, and nobody’s figured out how to slow them down yet.
- Balanced Offense: Efficient passing and strong rushing attack
- Stifling Defense: Key turnovers and relentless pressure
- Historical Context: Aiming to join Yale in the 16-0 club
Miami’s Team of Destiny
Miami’s journey to the championship has been anything but easy. They’ve shown real grit, pulling out wins in tough spots and refusing to fold under pressure.
Most folks didn’t expect the Hurricanes to get this far. Yet here they are, grinding out close games and proving doubters wrong.
There’s something about playing at home, too. Hard Rock Stadium could be loud, wild, and maybe just what Miami needs to get that extra edge.
- Resilience: Overcoming mistakes and winning close games
- Home Field Advantage: Playing at Hard Rock Stadium
- Key Players: Beck, Marion, and Fletcher Jr. leading the charge
Want more details and some sharp analysis on the College Football Playoff semifinals? The full article on ESPN’s College Football Playoff Semifinals 2025 Takeaways Every Game is worth a look.
With the national championship just around the corner, the anticipation is off the charts. Will Indiana finish their perfect run, or will Miami finally bring home a title after more than twenty years? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
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