Sports

Who is favorite in national championship game, Indiana or Miami?

The national championship game for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff has been set between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami.

So, who is going to win?

That’s a question college football pundits and fans will be debating for the next 10 days until the big game on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Oddsmakers, for their part, have already declared a favorite as the season winds down in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Opening odds from BetMGM have the Hoosiers as the early betting favorite to win the national title following their dominating Peach Bowl win over No. 5 Oregon.

Fernando Mendoza finished with five touchdown passes against the Ducks’ defense, and the Hoosiers scored 21 of their 56 points off turnovers, including D’Angelo Ponds’ pick-6 on the first play of the game. Indiana’s win over Oregon improved its record to 26-2 under Curt Cignetti in just two seasons.

Carson Beck gave the Hurricanes a ‘home’ game for the national championship with his 3-yard rushing touchdown in the winding seconds of the fourth quarter in the Fiesta Bowl against No. 6 Ole Miss. After sneaking into the 12-team field, the Hurricanes have been playing some of their best football in the last three games, led by Beck and star defensive players Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor.

Both teams are appearing in the national championship game for the first time in the CFP era.

Here’s what you need to know on who is favored in the national championship game from the opening odds:

Indiana vs Miami national championship game odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Jan. 9 at 11:30 p.m. ET

Spread: Indiana -7.5
Over/under: 48.5
Moneyline: Indiana (-300) | Miami (+240)

When is national championship game? Date, time, where, TV channel

Date: Monday, Jan. 19
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

The 2026 CFP Championship between Indiana and Miami is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 19 inside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY