College Football Playoff Preview
Well my friends, it all comes down to one game. Ole Miss put up a fantastic fight in their close loss to Miami while Indiana absolutely beat up on Oregon in their semi-final matchup. This game might not have the big names that some fans want, but any true college football fan will be beyond excited for this matchup. This has the potential to be an incredible matchup that happens to be in Miami’s home stadium. Don’t let that trick you though, I expect a major turnout from the Hoosier faithful on Monday night. Both teams have earned the right to win the National Championship and have balled out throughout the entire College Football Playoff. I don’t have much else to say, except I’m pumped for this game. Now let’s check out how we’ve done with picks so far and get into our preview:
Round 1: 3-1
Round 2: 2-2
Round 3: 2-0
Overall: 7-3
Miami vs. Indiana
Miami
Best Players: Carson Beck, Malachi Toney, Mark Fletcher Jr., Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor
Best Wins: vs. Notre Dame, @ Pitt, @ Texas A&M, vs. Ohio State, vs. Ole Miss
Losses: vs. Louisville, @ SMU
Indiana
Best Players: Fernando Mendoza, Roman Hemby, Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr., Rolijah Hardy, Louis Moore, D’Angelo Ponds
Best Wins: vs Illinois, vs Oregon x2, vs. Ohio State, vs. Alabama
Losses: None
Key Matchups
Indiana OL vs. Miami DL
Miami OL vs. Indiana DL
Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels vs. D’Angelo Ponds, Jamari Sharpe, Devan Boykin
Game Analysis
The Miami Hurricanes are truly proving why having a 12-team playoff was such a good idea. Under the former 4-team set up or even if the expansion was to 8 instead of 12, the Hurricanes would have found themselves on the outside looking in. The Hurricanes proved themselves on throughout these playoffs by knocking out Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. They are beyond worthy and have truly dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football during this dominant run. When you look at players like Reuben Bain Jr, Akheem Mesidor, and Francis Mauigoa, you’re looking at the reason why Miami is winning these games. The Hurricane offensive line is creating lanes for Mark Fletcher to run through and the dominant duo on defense is closing up those lanes on the other side. They also are allowing Carson Beck to be himself without asking him to do too much. They have avoided massive mistakes from Beck and he has come up big like his 4th quarter scramble against Ole Miss to take the lead. Miami will need to return to this identity if they want to win their first National Championship since 2001.
I’ll say it again, just a few years ago the Indiana Hoosiers had the most losses in college football history. In just the second season under Curt Cignetti, they are playing for a National Championship and an undefeated season. This story is like something straight out of a movie, the Hoosiers just need to write their final chapter. For a team with a magical season and a Heisman winner at quarterback, this team loves to play smashmouth football. Teams have only scored 20 or more points on Indiana 3 times this season. Their defense is stifling and looks to take offenses favorite weapons or plays away from them. In this game, I would expect the Hoosiers to load up against the run and force Beck and the Hurricanes to beat them throwing the ball. This Indiana team has crushed everyone in their path this playoffs so a close game could cause some problems for them. The only problem for the Hurricanes and other former opponents is trying to keep the game close.
All I’m hoping for is a close game. We’ve had a lot of blowouts and “close” games in recent memory, but you have to go back to the Alabama vs. Georgia overtime game for the last National Championship game that I’d consider down to the wire. As I mentioned above, this game will come down to which team can win in the trenches. That is where both teams have carved out their identity this season and where they’ll look to dominant in this matchup. For Miami, they’ll need to smack Indiana in the face early. The Hoosiers haven’t truly been tested (based on results, not team talent) in over a month, so finding themselves in close battle could also come with some rust. They will need Beck to make big plays down the stretch with both his arms and his legs. If Miami is going to pull this off, they’ll need Malachi Toney to have a big game. For Indiana, keep the recipe the same. Play great defense and just be consistent on offense. The Hoosiers don’t need huge chunk plays, they just need to methodically move down the field and snatch the soul from the Hurricanes. Miami’s secondary has been playing incredible this postseason, so keeping Sarratt and Cooper involved will be a necessity. In the end, I just can’t pick against the Hoosiers. The teams are evenly matched with tremendous interrrior play, playmakers on the back end of the defense, and star weapons on offense. The difference in my mind is the quarterback play, I trust Mendoza more than I trust Carson Beck. If the game is close, like I hope it is, Mendoza will make the necessary plays for Indiana to cap off the greatest story in all of sports this season.
Prediction: Indiana 30 Miami 23
I have nothing to say except enjoy this game on Monday night. In an era where the NFL Draft and transfer portal get so much headlines, I’m ready for a night where all that matters is who is going to win the National Championship.