The 2025 college football season officially concluded Monday with Indiana beating Miami to win th...

The 2025 college football season officially concluded Monday with Indiana beating Miami to win the 2026 national championship, so it's time to focus on the 2026 season and the road to the 2027 title.While a chaotic transfer-portal period will likely change the 12-team playoff field next season, it's probably safe to bet we'll see some familiar faces when the opening round kicks off in December.Here's how our top 25 looks, led by an explosive Texas roster.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>*Last year's record in parentheses1. Texas (10-3)In Arch Manning's last three games of 2025, the quarterback posted 11 total touchdowns, zero interceptions, and an average of 334 yards of total offense per game. Hope you got your jokes in early last year, because Manning is absolutely cooking heading into 2026. Cam Coleman joins his list of weapons in Austin with star pass-rusher Colin Simmons anchoring the defense.2. Oregon (13-2)Oregon was already set to make this list before Dante Moore announced he was returning to school. With the star passer remaining on campus, the Ducks come in at No. 2. Yes, Oregon lost a number of key players from the 2025 team - notably Noah Whittington and Kenyon Sadiq. However, Dan Lanning restocked the cupboard and retained plenty of talent, including receivers Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore.3. Notre Dame (10-2)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812926/cropped_GettyImages-2240119788.jpg?ts=1765126479" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812926/w220xh124_GettyImages-2240119788.jpg?ts=1765126479 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812926/w320xh180_GettyImages-2240119788.jpg?ts=1765126479 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812926/w640xh360_GettyImages-2240119788.jpg?ts=1765126479 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812926/w768xh432_GettyImages-2240119788.jpg?ts=1765126479 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812926/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2240119788.jpg?ts=1765126479 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>A loaded roster should ensure the Fighting Irish won't have to bail out of the Pop Tarts Bowl again. The vast majority of the defense returns for Marcus Freeman, and the Irish just landed the nation's top transfer class in terms of average player rankings. Add in quarterback CJ Carr and a schedule that features just four bowl teams from 2025, and it would be shocking if the Irish aren't in the playoff.4. Ohio State (12-2)Yes, the defense loses a ton of talent for the second year in a row, but as as long as Jeremiah Smith is on campus, Ohio State is a top-five team. While the Buckeyes' defense will reload with the next wave of top recruits, Smith, Julian Sayin, and Bo Jackson will carry the load for an offense-first squad in 2026.5. Indiana (16-0)At this point, we'd trust Curt Cignetti to get a team of junior varsity high schoolers to the playoff. Indiana loses a significant number of key contributors from this year's elite team, notably Fernando Mendoza and virtually all the James Madison transfers who followed Cignetti to Bloomington. However, Josh Hoover should keep the offense humming and a top-five portal class should keep the Hoosiers near the top of the sport.6. Georgia (12-2)Georgia returns a veteran-laden offense with Gunner Stockton and running back duo Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. Kirby Smart needs to make some significant changes to the defense after Ole Miss torched the Bulldogs in the playoffs, but it's probably a safe bet he'll sort that out before Week 1.7. Oklahoma (10-3)If Brent Venables is the coach, the defense is essentially guaranteed to be lights-out. The question in Norman is whether the offense can do enough to lift Oklahoma into the elite tier of the sport. John Mateer is back at quarterback, and transfers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone join returnee Isaiah Sategna III to form a talented wide receiver group. The pieces are all there to put points on the board; the only thing left is actually doing it.8. Texas Tech (12-2)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756607/cropped_GettyImages-2185242540.jpg?ts=1732225710" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756607/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185242540.jpg?ts=1732225710 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756607/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185242540.jpg?ts=1732225710 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756607/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185242540.jpg?ts=1732225710 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756607/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185242540.jpg?ts=1732225710 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756607/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185242540.jpg?ts=1732225710 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> David K Purdy / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Texas Tech once again fired the money cannon at the transfer portal and landed arguably the top name in Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby. A standout passer was the missing link in the Red Raiders' playoff team. Sorsby should fix that, and the defense projects to remain elite.9. Texas A&amp;M (11-2)Home losses to Texas and Miami to end the season soured a largely successful campaign for Texas A&amp;M. However, there's plenty of optimism in College Station. Marcel Reed returns at quarterback, and Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton joins Mario Craver to provide plenty of firepower out wide.10. Miami (13-3)Miami comes in at No. 10 provided that Darian Mensah ends up with the Hurricanes after entering the transfer portal from Duke. Mario Cristobal has opted for an established veteran quarterback the past two seasons with Cam Ward and Carson Beck, and it's paid off in two successful runs for Miami. Pairing Mensah with electric receiver Malachi Toney sounds like another sure-fire bet for Cristobal.11. USC (9-4)USC's roster is better than 11th in the country, especially with Lincoln Riley's impressive recruiting in both the high school and transfer fields. Terrell Anderson could be the next great Trojans receiver after joining from NC State, and quarterback Jayden Maiava is getting plenty of Heisman buzz. What knocks them down is an absolute minefield of a schedule featuring trips to Indiana and Penn State and home dates with Ohio State, Washington, and Oregon.12. Michigan (9-4)The upgrade in coaching from Sherrone Moore to Kyle Whittingham should be worth a few spots on its own. Whittingham bringing Jason Beck as his offensive coordinator to Ann Arbor is huge for quarterback Bryce Underwood and should immediately improve the offensive unit. Smith Snowden and John Henry Daley followed Whittingham from Utah and should anchor a defense that could be among the Big Ten's best.13. Alabama (11-4)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/813425/cropped_GettyImages-2248564673.jpg?ts=1765410597" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/813425/w220xh124_GettyImages-2248564673.jpg?ts=1765410597 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/813425/w320xh180_GettyImages-2248564673.jpg?ts=1765410597 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/813425/w640xh360_GettyImages-2248564673.jpg?ts=1765410597 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/813425/w768xh432_GettyImages-2248564673.jpg?ts=1765410597 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/813425/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2248564673.jpg?ts=1765410597 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Chang / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Blowouts by Georgia and Indiana in two of the Alabama's last three games cast a pall over the offseason in Tuscaloosa. Kalen DeBoer's begun his Crimson Tide tenure with back-to-back four-loss seasons after Nick Saban had one in 17 years. DeBoer addressed the dismal offensive line in the portal, but the success of his 2026 season will likely come down to the play of either Austin Mack or the highly touted Keelon Russell at quarterback.14. LSU (7-6)With all the drama Lane Kiffin brings, it's easy to forget he's a damn good football coach. He produces no shortage of antics - and no shortage of points. He's got his quarterback at LSU with Sam Leavitt and three new receivers in Eugene Wilson III, Jayce Brown and Winston Watkins. The scoreboard in Baton Rouge should get a workout.15. BYU (12-2)BYU kept Kalani Sitake as head coach despite aggressive overtures from Penn State. The Cougars also keep Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin to lead their punishing offensive attack. That should allow them to stay among the top teams in the Big 12 with serious playoff hopes yet again.16. Ole Miss (13-2)The short-term returns on the Pete Golding era at Ole Miss were extremely high: two playoff wins and a narrow loss to Miami in the semifinal. Now he heads into his first full season facing a serious question as to who will be the quarterback in Week 1. If Trinidad Chambliss wins his lawsuit and is eligible, the Rebels are a top-10 team. If he loses, No. 16 feels appropriate. After all, the offense has Kewan Lacy regardless.17. SMU (9-4)As long as Kevin Jennings is leading SMU out of the tunnel, the Mustangs will be in contention as a top-20 program. Rhett Lashlee restocked the skill positions on offense, adding receiver Yannick Smith and tight ends Randy Pittman Jr. and Theo Melin Ohrstrom.18. Utah (11-2)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818239/cropped_GettyImages-2254414027.jpg?ts=1768876694" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818239/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254414027.jpg?ts=1768876694 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818239/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254414027.jpg?ts=1768876694 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818239/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254414027.jpg?ts=1768876694 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818239/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254414027.jpg?ts=1768876694 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818239/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254414027.jpg?ts=1768876694 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> David Becker / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Whittingham, Beck, and a number of top players may have left Utah, but the Utes remain in strong position to compete for the Big 12. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley taking over as head coach gives Utah some continuity, as does the return of quarterback Devon Dampier. 19. Washington (9-4)The Demond Williams Jr. saga somehow ended with the star quarterback staying in Washington. While his dalliance in the transfer portal didn't win him many fans on campus, all can be forgiven with a few strong performances. The Huskies finished the season with a flourish, racking up five double-digit wins in their last seven games.20. Iowa (9-4)The other faces and names may change, but if Kirk Ferentz is standing on the sideline, Iowa will be an issue for a lot of teams in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes having sound defense and special teams units might be the surest thing in the sport, and the offense looked solid down the stretch under Tim Lester's guidance.21. Houston (10-3)Willie Fritz has three double-digit win seasons in his last four years as head coach following Houston's 10-win campaign in 2025. Conner Weigman returns at quarterback, and a transfer portal class highlighted by Oregon running back Makhi Hughes should beef up the Cougars' attack.22. South Carolina (4-8)A season full of promise turned into a disaster as South Carolina barely won four games during the 2025 campaign. That likely puts Shane Beamer on the hot seat, but he's got the electric quarterback-edge duo of LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart to help him keep his job.23. Illinois (9-4)Bret Bielema has turned in one of the most underrated coaching performances of the past two years with 19 combined wins at Illinois. It'll be tough to keep that train rolling without star quarterback Luke Altmyer, but the Illini reloaded with Katin Houser. The East Carolina transfer passed for more than 3,300 yards last season and walks into a great situation with a loaded receiver room.24. Penn State (7-6)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818240/cropped_GettyImages-2245902919.jpg?ts=1768876786" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818240/w220xh124_GettyImages-2245902919.jpg?ts=1768876786 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818240/w320xh180_GettyImages-2245902919.jpg?ts=1768876786 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818240/w640xh360_GettyImages-2245902919.jpg?ts=1768876786 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818240/w768xh432_GettyImages-2245902919.jpg?ts=1768876786 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818240/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2245902919.jpg?ts=1768876786 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ron Jenkins / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The James Franklin era is over, and it's Matt Campbell's time to shine at Penn State. Campbell brought almost half the Iowa State roster with him to State College, and that continuity should help the Nittany Lions find immediate success.25. Virginia (11-3)The ACC finalists prioritized defense and quarterback in the portal, with passers Beau Pribula and Eli Holstein giving Virginia multiple options to lead the offense.

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Texas rules our 2026 way-too-early top 25 

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the CFP title game, with India...

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the CFP title game, with Indiana winning the first national championship in program history.<h3>HeisMendoza's all-time moment</h3>The man who brought us "<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/zJyE96IWQ6M?si=u_PRIZndqjN3tdJs">98 yards with my boys</a>" in 2024 returns with "12 yards to the title." You can break Monday's national championship game down in many ways, but perhaps the most obvious analysis is this: One team had Fernando Mendoza and the other didn't. The Heisman winner authored an all-time championship moment in the fourth quarter.It took a monumental gamble from Curt Cignetti to set the stage for his quarterback. The second-year coach opted to go for it on fourth-and-5 from the Miami 12-yard line instead of kicking a field goal that would've given Indiana a six-point lead. Cignetti's decision was likely heavily influenced by the Hurricanes pushing the Hoosiers around the field in the third quarter. Miami outgained Indiana 150-11 in total yardage in that frame, and the coach sensed a six-point lead might not be enough.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Now Indiana needed to execute a perfect play."The coverage before they were in, the coverage where that play would work, we put it in for this game," Cignetti said on the ESPN broadcast afterward. "It was quarterback draw, but it was blocked differently. We rolled the dice and said, 'They are going to be in it again,' and they were, and we blocked it well. He broke a tackle or two and got in the end zone.""Broke a tackle or two" is slightly downplaying what Mendoza did.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
FERNANDO. MENDOZA. THE PLAY OF A LIFETIME ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/g3o5nNNslr">pic.twitter.com/g3o5nNNslr</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/2013456653866201453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>That put the Hoosiers up 10, a crucial number as Miami eventually responded to cut the deficit back to seven. Had Cignetti been more conservative and kicked the field goal - or had Mendoza not given a third and fourth effort and scored - the trophy might be heading down Ocean Drive right now.Not bad for a quarterback who was declined a walk-on spot to Miami coming out of high school.<h3>Special teams flipped the game</h3>Cignetti, Mendoza, and the nation's second-ranked defensive unit get most of the hype for Indiana, but the Hoosiers' elite special teams unit made potentially the biggest momentum-shifting play of the night.The first half played out like most of the season had for Indiana. The Big Ten champs dominated Miami 169-69 in total yards, with an 11-3 edge in first downs. However, it was 10-0 at halftime - a scoreline that kept Miami fully involved.Mario Cristobal and the coaching staff should be given a ton of credit for their adjustments at the half, because the Hurricanes' pass-rush took over in the third quarter. Mendoza got the ball out in 2.1 seconds on average in the opening half, a quick-strike approach that kept him from taking a sack.The Hurricanes stretched their pass-rushers out in the second half, sacking Mendoza three times. Indiana punted three times in the third quarter alone, looking overwhelmed. And then the special teams unit - as it has throughout Cignetti's tenure - rose to the occasion.Unlike many other programs, Cignetti opts to use a number of star players on special teams. That approach has helped his Indiana team block eight kicks during his two seasons, the most in the country over that span.The eighth was certainly the sweetest, with starting defensive end Mikail Kamara - the team's sack leader last season - doing the honors.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
INDIANA BLOCKS THE PUNT AND FALLS ON IT FOR SIX‼️ <a href="https://t.co/N1BSrFr4hh">pic.twitter.com/N1BSrFr4hh</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/2013450088018813332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>There were plenty of points after that blocked kick, but it allowed Indiana the breathing room to figure out the offense, which it was able to do in the fourth quarter.<h3>Miami's dynamic pass-rush duo showed up</h3>Look, a shoutout in the CFB Blitz ain't gonna lessen the pain of the loss for Miami's dynamic pass-rush duo, but the Hurricanes pair deserves their flowers for a very impressive showing - especially in the second half.Mendoza entered the game having thrown more touchdown passes in the playoff than incompletions. That wouldn't be the case Monday as the pass rush of Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. wrecked Indiana's offensive line. The duo combined for three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in the defeat, playing a massive role in preventing Mendoza from throwing a touchdown pass for the first time since Week 1.Mendoza still supplied the play of the game with his epic run, but the defense largely kept Indiana's offense in check. The Hoosiers were outgained 342-317 despite the fact they ran 19 more plays. That highlights the significance of the blocked punt touchdown - Indiana's offense really wasn't having much success driving the field in the second half.<h3>Lack of discipline hurt the Canes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818268/cropped_GettyImages-2257141247.jpg?ts=1768886849" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818268/w220xh124_GettyImages-2257141247.jpg?ts=1768886849 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818268/w320xh180_GettyImages-2257141247.jpg?ts=1768886849 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818268/w640xh360_GettyImages-2257141247.jpg?ts=1768886849 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818268/w768xh432_GettyImages-2257141247.jpg?ts=1768886849 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818268/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2257141247.jpg?ts=1768886849 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Miami's most impressive victory of the season was its win over Ohio State in the quarterfinals. It was also the cleanest showing from a team perspective, with the Hurricanes committing zero penalties. Since then, however, Miami's seen more flags than an Olympic opening ceremony.Ten penalties for 74 yards against Ole Miss damn near cost the Hurricanes the game. Two of those calls were 15-yard penalties that extended a late Rebels touchdown drive. It didn't wind up costing the Hurricanes in that one, but the carryover to the title game was real.Miami tallied seven more penalties for 60 yards Monday (plus a couple obvious missed calls), with a number of them coming at crucial moments. Two glaring fouls on third downs helped extend Indiana's first touchdown drive, which gave the Hoosiers a 10-point lead.<h3>Big Ten rules the SEC's former kingdom</h3>The SEC will insist football "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PddyUy6kvHY">just means more</a>" in that conference, but that clearly isn't the case in the era of the transfer portal and NIL. With Indiana's victory Monday, the Big Ten has now won the last three national championships after the SEC took four in a row from 2019-22. Even more notably, the SEC hasn't put a team in the national championship game since Georgia won in 2022.The Big Ten has not only won the last three titles, it's produced three different champions. Michigan and Ohio State don't jump off the page as surprises, but Indiana's title is about as improbable as it gets.And a reprieve doesn't appear to be on the horizon. Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana are already among the betting favorites to win the 2027 title.

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CFB Blitz: Title game takeaways

The college football world descends on Miami to decide the national champion after five months of...

The college football world descends on Miami to decide the national champion after five months of incredible action.Few people likely picked an Indiana-Miami title matchup at the beginning of the season, but those are the two left standing in the College Football Playoff.Although the Hoosiers enter as significant favorites, the Hurricanes could celebrate a memorable home win if they can shift the outcome of several key battles.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here are three matchups to watch that'll shape the game's results.<h3>Indiana D-line vs. Miami O-line</h3>Mario Cristobal's roster-building philosophy is essentially based around procuring massive humans to move people out of the way on a play-by-play basis. From that perspective, the matchup against Indiana should be ideal for Miami. The Hurricanes' starting offensive line dwarfs the Hoosiers' defensive front.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Looking ahead to Indiana-Miami, one thing that stands out is the size disparity in the trenches. Indiana D-line avg: 278 lbs Max weight: Tucker (302) Miami O-line avg: 331 lbs Max weight: Bell, Cooper (345) On average, that's a 53 lb difference -- significant. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iufb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iufb</a> <a href="https://t.co/TEbdmXcr2O">https://t.co/TEbdmXcr2O</a>— Nick Rodecap (@NickRodecap) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickRodecap/status/2010375810172272735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>However, this ain't a UFC weigh-in, and games aren't played on a scale. Despite running out that undersized line, Indiana leads the country in tackles for loss and ranks third in sacks. Insert the cliche: 'It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.' An elite scheme that thrives on confusion and utilizing speed off the edge can easily overcome a lack of size. Just ask Oregon's Isaiah World, who <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/46573669/2026-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-players-positions#positions">ESPN's Mel Kiper</a> ranks No. 8 among tackles in the 2026 NFL Draft.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/IUHoosiers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IUHoosiers</a> EDGE Mikail Kamara spin cycle…🌪️ <a href="https://t.co/liL9lUoiFz">pic.twitter.com/liL9lUoiFz</a>— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) <a href="https://twitter.com/colecubelic/status/2010559103282581862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Indiana has posted six sacks and 16 tackles for loss through two playoff games, as neither Alabama nor Oregon figured out how to stop the Hoosiers' front.Miami's offensive success has always hinged on running the ball, and Mark Fletcher Jr.'s playoff breakout is one of the main reasons the team's still here. Fletcher has been a menace in three postseason contests, averaging 131 rushing yards per game. However, a deeper look shows that he and the rushing attack have greatly benefited from favorable matchups, with Texas A&amp;M and Ole Miss boasting defensive units ranked in the 60s nationally against the run. Fletcher still put up 90 yards on Ohio State's seventh-ranked line, but he needed 19 carries to get there, well below the yard-per-carry average he showed versus the Aggies and Rebels.For the Hurricanes to have a shot Monday, Fletcher and the running attack need to succeed and not put added pressure on Carson Beck's shoulders.<h3>Bain and Co. vs. Mendoza</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817817/cropped_GettyImages-2233704970.jpg?ts=1768587037" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817817/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233704970.jpg?ts=1768587037 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817817/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233704970.jpg?ts=1768587037 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817817/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233704970.jpg?ts=1768587037 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817817/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233704970.jpg?ts=1768587037 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817817/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233704970.jpg?ts=1768587037 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leonardo Fernandez / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>When Indiana has the football on Monday, we'll be treated to a true strength-versus-strength matchup. On one side is a man playing out of his mind in the playoffs, Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. The Miami native has thrown eight touchdowns through two postseason games while missing just five total passes. More touchdown throws than incompletions seems incomprehensible in the playoffs, yet that's what Mendoza has done.The other side will see the nation's top pass-rushing unit try to get to Mendoza and alter those numbers significantly. Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidore represent arguably the best pass-rush duo in the country, both ranked in the top 10 by <a href="https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/positions/2025/REGPO/defense-pass-rush?division=fbs&amp;position=DI,ED,LB,CB,S&amp;minimum=50p">Pro Football Focus</a>. The two move all over the defensive line, but you can expect them to target Indiana right tackle Khalil Benson frequently. If there's a weak link on the Hoosiers' line - a big 'if' given their production - it's Benson, who Oregon burned for multiple sacks last time out.One way to slow down Bain and Co. is to get the ball out quickly, something Ole Miss did with some success last week. Trinidad Chambliss places among the top quarterbacks with an average time to pass of 2.58 seconds per dropback. That's much quicker than Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Texas A&amp;M's Marcel Reed - both are close to three seconds. Mendoza falls in between Chambliss and the rest at 2.72 seconds on the season. Don't be shocked if Indiana's early passing attack calls for a number of quick throws to get Mendoza comfortable and keep the pass rush at bay.The Hoosiers could also employ a quick tempo to slow down Miami's front after watching Ole Miss successfully execute the strategy. The Rebels' offense ranks 14th nationally in time between plays, while previous Miami opponents, Ohio State and Texas A&amp;M, both fall outside the top 100. Indiana is 127th in that category, so speeding up would represent a stark departure from how the Hoosiers got to the title game.<h3>3rd-down defense vs. 3rd-down offense</h3>Indiana has built the largest point differential in CFP history by breaking its opponents' will every week. The Hoosiers love nothing more than to take an early lead and run away from the competition like peak-Usain Bolt at the Olympics. The best way to accomplish that is to excel in third-down situations, relentlessly denying the opposition a break.The Hoosiers' offense is an outrageous 20-for-28 on third downs in these playoffs - an astonishing achievement considering Alabama and Oregon entered their matchups limiting opponents below a 40% conversation rate. That type of efficiency usually reflects the presence of an elite quarterback who makes excellent decisions, and Mendoza has shown that all season. He'll face his toughest test Monday, as Miami's third-down defense has feasted over the past two outings. Ohio State and Ole Miss combined to go just 5-for-20 on third downs, with the Hurricanes' pass rush forcing poor choices by Sayin and Chambliss.Third-down conversions for Miami's offense might just be the most important statistic on its path to victory. The Hurricanes aren't likely to keep up with the Hoosiers in a shootout, so long sustained drives will be vital for the underdog. Beck and the offense did that at an exceptional level in the semifinal, going 13-for-22 on third and fourth downs and piling up an absurd 23-minute time of possession advantage.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34150580/related

How to win the CFP: 3 key battles to decide the national title

The 2025 college football season began in Ireland in August and will end Monday in South Florida,...

The 2025 college football season began in Ireland in August and will end Monday in South Florida, where Indiana and Miami will battle for the national championship.The Hoosiers enter as the unquestioned No. 1 team in the country and are looking for the program's first national title. The Hurricanes used to be a mainstay in championship circles but are eyeing the team's first trophy since 2001.Here's all you need to know to get set for the blockbuster matchup.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>No. 1 Indiana</h3>Coach: Curt Cignetti Record: 15-0 Points per game: 42.6 (2nd nationally) Points allowed: 11.1 (2nd) Scoring margin: 28.6 (1st) Playoff wins: vs. Alabama, vs. Oregon National titles: Zero<h3>No. 10 Miami</h3>Coach: Mario Cristobal Record: 13-2 Points per game: 31.6 (30th nationally) Points allowed: 14 (5th) Scoring margin: 15.9 (7th) Playoff wins: at Texas A&amp;M, vs. Ohio State, vs. Ole Miss National titles: Five<h3>Featured analysis</h3>Indiana shouldn't be here; then Cignetti showed up<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817583/cropped_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Indiana.jpg?ts=1768405263" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817583/w220xh124_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Indiana.jpg?ts=1768405263 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817583/w320xh180_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Indiana.jpg?ts=1768405263 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817583/w640xh360_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Indiana.jpg?ts=1768405263 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817583/w768xh432_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Indiana.jpg?ts=1768405263 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817583/w1080xh607_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Indiana.jpg?ts=1768405263 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julian Catalfo / theScore</figcaption></figure>In a world crippled by people getting caught up in the moment, it still doesn't feel like a stretch to say Curt Cignetti has orchestrated the greatest turnaround in college football history. When Cignetti took the job two years ago, Indiana held the dubious distinction of having more losses than any FBS program. The results since then have been nothing short of a miracle, with a 26-2 romp through the sport. For years, football served as something to do in Indiana until basketball season started. Now, Cignetti is one win away from completing a fairytale not even Hollywood could script. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3451585" href="https://thescore.com/news/3451585">Read more</a>.Cristo-Ball finally has 'The U' back where it belongs<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817582/cropped_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Miami.jpg?ts=1768405262" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817582/w220xh124_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Miami.jpg?ts=1768405262 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817582/w320xh180_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Miami.jpg?ts=1768405262 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817582/w640xh360_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Miami.jpg?ts=1768405262 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817582/w768xh432_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Miami.jpg?ts=1768405262 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817582/w1080xh607_CFB_CFP_national_championship_preview-Miami.jpg?ts=1768405262 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julian Catalfo / theScore</figcaption></figure>While Indiana's excellence on the football field is a new phenomenon, Miami has long been synonymous with college football excellence. Or at least, it once was. The Hurricanes' decades of dominance between 1983 and 2003 are up there with the best we've ever seen in the sport. However, the 2001 national championship remains the last title the program has won, and the question "Is The U back?" became an annual punchline. That changed when Mario Cristobal came home to his alma mater to get Miami back on top. It took four years, but this version of Cristo-ball is exactly what the Canes needed. <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3454965">Read more</a>.3 battles that will decide the CFP title<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817614/cropped_CFP_national_championship_preview-black.jpg?ts=1768419374" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817614/w220xh124_CFP_national_championship_preview-black.jpg?ts=1768419374 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817614/w320xh180_CFP_national_championship_preview-black.jpg?ts=1768419374 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817614/w640xh360_CFP_national_championship_preview-black.jpg?ts=1768419374 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817614/w768xh432_CFP_national_championship_preview-black.jpg?ts=1768419374 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817614/w1080xh607_CFP_national_championship_preview-black.jpg?ts=1768419374 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julian Catalfo / theScore</figcaption></figure>Monday's matchup should be a slugfest with two of the nation's top defensive units on display. Indiana's defensive front has dominated all season, leading the nation in tackles for loss and already holding Alabama and Oregon down this postseason. However, the Hurricanes boast a massive offensive line, averaging 53 pounds heavier per player than the Hoosiers' front four. That's one of three key battles that should decide the outcome of this year's national title. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3455010" href="https://thescore.com/news/3455010">Read more</a>.Can Miami pull off the upset?<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Can Miami really upset the No. 1 team in the country on Monday night?! 🍿 <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerMacKillop?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TylerMacKillop</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/clips_league_ncaaf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#clips_league_ncaaf</a> <a href="https://t.co/RAV7r0Vhhk">pic.twitter.com/RAV7r0Vhhk</a>— theScore (@theScore) <a href="https://twitter.com/theScore/status/2012235721310867687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Betting breakdowns</h3>National championship bets: Is Indiana inevitable?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811865/cropped_GettyImages-2248965000.jpg?ts=1764391539" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811865/w220xh124_GettyImages-2248965000.jpg?ts=1764391539 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811865/w320xh180_GettyImages-2248965000.jpg?ts=1764391539 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811865/w640xh360_GettyImages-2248965000.jpg?ts=1764391539 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811865/w768xh432_GettyImages-2248965000.jpg?ts=1764391539 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811865/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2248965000.jpg?ts=1764391539 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>If the title game looks anything like the rest of the playoffs, Indiana will be leaving Miami with its first national championship. The Hoosiers dominated Alabama and Oregon, winning by an average of 34.5 points to emphatically book their place in Monday's contest. The Hurricanes' best chance at an upset will be their ferocious pass rush playing off the home crowd. See our game pick and several props that we're targeting for the matchup. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3453701" href="https://thescore.com/news/3453701">Read more.</a><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Will Indiana dominate Miami to win the Natty tomorrow? <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@soshtry</a> has the Hoosiers to cover and blowout the Hurricanes. 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/clips_league_ncaaf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#clips_league_ncaaf</a> <a href="https://t.co/i3djtGhKNq">pic.twitter.com/i3djtGhKNq</a>— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) <a href="https://twitter.com/theScoreBet/status/2012925450641920276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Indiana 7.5-point favorite over Miami<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815965/cropped_GettyImages-2253717565.jpg?ts=1767316099" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815965/w220xh124_GettyImages-2253717565.jpg?ts=1767316099 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815965/w320xh180_GettyImages-2253717565.jpg?ts=1767316099 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815965/w640xh360_GettyImages-2253717565.jpg?ts=1767316099 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815965/w768xh432_GettyImages-2253717565.jpg?ts=1767316099 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815965/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2253717565.jpg?ts=1767316099 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Before Indiana played Oregon in the semifinal, the Hoosiers were projected as 5.5-point favorites over Miami in a potential title game. But an adjustment is bound to happen when you hang 56 on the Ducks in a 34-point win. Indiana's performance moved the line by two points, bringing it over a touchdown. This marks the third time in the last four national championships that a team has been favored by at least a touchdown. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3451247" href="https://thescore.com/news/3451247">Read more</a>.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34153131/related

CFP title game preview: Get set for Indiana-Miami showdown

Some people spend a lifetime looking for the kind of love Mario Cristobal has for the trenches of...

Some people spend a lifetime looking for the kind of love Mario Cristobal has for the trenches of a football field.Consider Cristobal's introductory press conference in December 2021. After thanking Miami officials and his wife and kids, he looked into the audience and called out a specific group of people."I can't help but look across, and right away, I see offensive linemen. I'll always see offensive linemen," the Miami native said, pointing out former Miami standouts Bryant McKinnie, Brett Romberg, and Joaquin Gonzalez.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Cristobal's rebuild of the Hurricanes' program has focused in large part on assembling a talented group of massive humans to dominate either side of the ball. That's no surprise given his background as both a player and coach.A national champion offensive lineman at Miami, he also coached under Nick Saban for four years at Alabama. Things were going to look a certain way on the field in Coral Gables: physical and violent.And that's how things needed to be.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815900/cropped_GettyImages-2254214946.jpg?ts=1767243751" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815900/w220xh124_GettyImages-2254214946.jpg?ts=1767243751 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815900/w320xh180_GettyImages-2254214946.jpg?ts=1767243751 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815900/w640xh360_GettyImages-2254214946.jpg?ts=1767243751 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815900/w768xh432_GettyImages-2254214946.jpg?ts=1767243751 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815900/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2254214946.jpg?ts=1767243751 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Miami ruled the college football universe for two decades, winning five national titles and posting 14 double-digit win seasons from 1983-2003. The U broke out of the sports bubble to become a mainstream story and cultural phenomenon.However, excellence had long departed South Florida by the time Cristobal stepped back onto the scene. A 10-win season in 2017 was the only time the Hurricanes had reached that milestone since 2003. When your program is the subject of more documentaries than nationally successful seasons over an 18-year period, it's probably not a sign of health.It had been so long since Miami captured the national championship that sixth-year senior quarterback Carson Beck - the semifinal's <a href="https://x.com/CFBPlayoff/status/2009482053507797255?s=20">last-minute hero</a> - wasn't even born the last time the Canes stood atop the sport. For many programs, a 25-year championship drought wouldn't even register. For The U, it was an annual crisis.Enter Cristobal, fresh off a highly successful rebuild at Oregon, to return home and revitalize the Hurricanes."We came here because this is the place I love the most," Cristobal told <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38329628/mario-cristobal-miami-college-football-rebuild-greentree">Andrea Adelson of ESPN</a> in 2023. "We know that this is the place that when done right is the best, and also fully understanding you better be a tough son of a b---- to come here and do this job because it was left in a bad spot."Beyond his passion for the program and an outsized appreciation of home, elite recruiting was the biggest asset Cristobal brought to the table. He was widely regarded as one of the top recruiters on Saban's staff at Alabama.His strategy centers on dominating the state of Florida - as Miami did to a staggering degree during its rise to the top. That will be reflected when the Hurricanes take the field Monday.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817650/cropped_GettyImages-2253709689.jpg?ts=1768445209" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817650/w220xh124_GettyImages-2253709689.jpg?ts=1768445209 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817650/w320xh180_GettyImages-2253709689.jpg?ts=1768445209 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817650/w640xh360_GettyImages-2253709689.jpg?ts=1768445209 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817650/w768xh432_GettyImages-2253709689.jpg?ts=1768445209 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817650/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2253709689.jpg?ts=1768445209 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> CFP / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Cristobal's first order of business was to fortify the trenches. After his first season as coach, he got commitments from standout offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and star defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. - both from Florida schools, with Bain hailing from the heart of Miami.Three years later, those are arguably the most important players on their respective sides of the ball for the Hurricanes in the title game. Mauigoa anchors an offensive line whose starters weigh in at an eye-popping average of 331 pounds. That quintet has overwhelmed everything in its path throughout the postseason, opening huge holes for another South Floridian, Mark Fletcher Jr., to exploit. The senior is averaging 131 rushing yards per game in the playoffs, largely based on Mauigoa setting the tone up front.Bain has developed into the biggest wrecking ball in college football. In the CFP alone, the future first-round pick has 21 quarterback pressures, four sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss. The attention he commands from opponents allows the rest of Miami's line to feast - it leads the nation in sacks.In all, 59 players from the state of Florida are on Miami's roster, including electric freshman Malachi Toney. He brings the kind of sizzle that was a trademark of the program's glory days, <a href="https://x.com/accnetwork/status/2009475638961303649?s=20">running through defensive backfields</a> as though he's unaware they're trying to tackle him. That blissful ignorance makes sense given he's supposed to be a high school senior right now.Cristobal's steady four-year build reaches a crescendo Monday in front of what should be a rabid Hard Rock Stadium crowd just 22 miles from campus. A sixth national championship is the goal, but this Miami season is a smashing success regardless of the final score versus Indiana.Both lines are elite once again. The program has re-established its recruiting roots in South Florida. The U is officially back, right where it's supposed to be.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34139711/related

Cristo-Ball finally has The U back where it belongs

To truly appreciate where you're going in life, you often have to look at where you've been.   In...

To truly appreciate where you're going in life, you often have to look at where you've been. In the case of Indiana football, revisiting the past should come with a parental advisory warning.The Hoosiers haven't just been bad, they've been the worst ... literally. Indiana entered the 2025 season with the most losses ever at the FBS level and sported a laughable 1-72 record against AP top-five teams.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>While most programs reserve significant space, or even a room, for trophies and awards in their football facilities, Indiana needed only a single shelf. With just two Big Ten titles and three bowl wins in 127 seasons, the Hoosiers' trophy collection was hardly robust.Only Northwestern and Maryland drew fewer fans per game than Indiana in 2023, the year before it hired Curt Cignetti. There's a reason the football season in Bloomington used to last just two months, often feeling like a brief prelude to the beloved Hoosiers' basketball campaign.Cignetti became the 23rd head coach in program history two years ago. Not one of the previous 22 left the job with a winning record. So how the hell are we just days away from the lowly Hoosiers taking the field in Miami as the only undefeated team with a shot at the national title?All roads lead back to Cignetti.With a name and demeanor that suggest he's a police captain in a '90s procedural drama, Cignetti brought a boatload of players to Indiana from his previous stop at James Madison. The personnel provided an instant boost to the roster, but it may not have been the most important thing the coach arrived with.Cignetti exudes an overwhelming confidence that dominates the room every time he speaks. That self-assurance is what made him comfortable enough on the day he was hired to walk onto the Indiana basketball court during a timeout and <a href="https://x.com/JeffRabjohns/status/1730744811659882572?s=20">loudly proclaim</a> over the microphone, "Purdue sucks, but so does Michigan and Ohio State."Just 20 days later, at a National Signing Day press conference, Cignetti dropped his now-iconic "<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/Hoosier_Review/status/1958498290028138915?s=20">I win, Google me</a>" line - a phrase we've been hearing on loop after a reporter asked him how he attracts recruits.OK, Curt. First, you piqued our curiosity; now, you have our attention.The bombastic comments got people talking about Indiana football and proved that few people in the sport knew how to go viral better than Cignetti, even though he was born in 1961.While those clips continue to follow Cignetti, something he said during this year's narrow win at Penn State revealed how he's been able to flip the narrative around Indiana from "doormat" to "national powerhouse."The Hoosiers were 0-13 all time at Beaver Stadium, a stat Fox Sports' Jenny Taft asked Cignetti about before kickoff. His response was simple, brief, and incredibly telling."This team has never played here."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Nothing concerns me"<a href="https://twitter.com/JennyTaft?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JennyTaft</a> talks with <a href="https://twitter.com/IndianaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndianaFootball</a>'s Curt Cignetti before kickoff <a href="https://t.co/5lWk0OrHVB">pic.twitter.com/5lWk0OrHVB</a>— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1987206624898134023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Using just six words, Cignetti made it clear that this isn't the same Indiana program burdened by a dismal 534-715-44 overall record. Under his leadership, these Hoosiers are the best team in college football, boasting a sparkling 26-2 mark.There might be 125 years of losing on Indiana's resume, but that was in the B.C. era (Before Cignetti). Although the IU remains on the helmet, this ain't your father's, grandfather's, or great-grandfather's Hoosiers.Cignetti seems hell-bent on using every snap to prove that Indiana belongs, making the program's previous century-plus of losing irrelevant. That's especially evident in how the Hoosiers finish blowout wins. There's no letup whatsoever, with Cignetti's trademark scowl on the sideline indicating he's offended by anything less than a 30-point margin.That's how you build up the largest point differential in the CFP era.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Largest Point Differential in a Single Season in CFP Era 1. 2025 Indiana +473 2. 2018 Clemson +467 3. 2019 Ohio St +464 4. 2019 Clemson +456 5. 2021 Georgia +426 6. 2018 Alabama +413 7. 2022 Georgia +402 8. 2019 LSU +398 9. 2023 Oregon +388 10. 2016 Alabama +387 10. 2025 Texas… <a href="https://t.co/RgRdr8Ic0A">pic.twitter.com/RgRdr8Ic0A</a>— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomFornelli/status/2009866092181655663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, LSU. That's the type of company Indiana now finds itself in. Only Miami stands in the way of the first perfect season in the 12-team playoff era, a first national championship for Indiana, and perhaps the most unbelievable turnaround in the history of college sports.If Cignetti and the Hoosiers seal the deal, Hollywood executives should be rushing to make the <a href="https://x.com/espn/status/2006889460332376512?s=20">coach's comments</a> after the Rose Bowl win a reality."It would be a helluva movie."

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34127381/related

Indiana shouldn't be here. Then Cignetti showed up

The NCAA transfer portal is officially open. Follow along for analysis of all major transactions....

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/34009011/related

CFB portal analysis: LSU, Oregon land big-time QBs 

The transfer-portal period is in full swing with over 6,000 student-athletes currently listed as ...

The transfer-portal period is in full swing with over 6,000 student-athletes currently listed as potentially looking for a new home. Follow where the top players have committed and who is still unsigned with a week to go.*All rankings from <a href="https://247sports.com/season/2026-football/transferportaltop/">247 Sports</a>Jump to: <a href="#Quarterbacks">Quarterbacks</a> | <a href="#Running%20backs">Running backs</a> | <a href="#Wide%20receivers">Wide receivers </a>| <a href="#Defense">Defense</a><h3><a id="Quarterbacks" name="Quarterbacks">Quarterbacks</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Old School</th>
<th>New School</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Sam Leavitt</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
<td>LSU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Brendan Sorsby</td>
<td>Cincinnati</td>
<td>Texas Tech</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Drew Mestemaker</td>
<td>North Texas</td>
<td>Oklahoma State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>DJ Lagway</td>
<td>Florida</td>
<td>Baylor</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Dylan Raiola</td>
<td>Nebraska</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Darian Mensah</td>
<td>Duke</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Husan Longstreet</td>
<td>USC</td>
<td>LSU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Deuce Knight</td>
<td>Auburn</td>
<td>Ole Miss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Byrum Brown</td>
<td>USF</td>
<td>Auburn</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Rocco Becht</td>
<td>Iowa State</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>Josh Hoover</td>
<td>TCU</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Austin Simmons</td>
<td>Ole Miss</td>
<td>Missouri</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Ethan Grunkemeyer</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
<td>Virginia Tech</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Kenny Minchey</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
<td>Kentucky</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Aidan Chiles</td>
<td>Michigan State</td>
<td>Northwestern</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Beau Pribula</td>
<td>Missouri</td>
<td>Virginia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Aaron Philo</td>
<td>Georgia Tech</td>
<td>Florida</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Lincoln Kienholz</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td>Louisville</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>Cutter Boley</td>
<td>Kentucky</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>Katin Houser</td>
<td>ECU</td>
<td>Illinois</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>Colton Joseph</td>
<td>ODU</td>
<td>Wisconsin</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3><a id="Running backs" name="Running%20backs">Running backs</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Old School</th>
<th>New School</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Caleb Hawkins</td>
<td>North Texas</td>
<td>Oklahoma State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Hollywood Smothers</td>
<td>NC State</td>
<td>Texas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Quintrevion Wisner</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>Florida State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Justice Haynes</td>
<td>Michigan</td>
<td>Georgia Tech</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Raleek Brown</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
<td>Texas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Adam Mohammed</td>
<td>Washington</td>
<td>Cal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Bryson Washington</td>
<td>Baylor</td>
<td>Auburn</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Makhi Frazier</td>
<td>Michigan State</td>
<td> Ole Miss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>London Montgomery</td>
<td>ECU</td>
<td>Florida</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>CJ Baxter</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>Kentucky</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>Dylan Edwards</td>
<td>Kansas State</td>
<td>Kansas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Turbo Richard</td>
<td>Boston College</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Talor Tatum</td>
<td>Oklahoma</td>
<td>Michigan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Makhi Hughes</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>Houston</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>James Peoples</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Abu Sama III</td>
<td>Iowa State</td>
<td>Wisconsin</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Carson Hansen</td>
<td>Iowa State</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Jerrick Gibson</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>Purdue</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3><a id="Wide receivers" name="Wide%20receivers">Wide receivers</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Old School</th>
<th>New School</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Cam Coleman</td>
<td>Auburn</td>
<td>Texas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Isaiah Horton</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>Texas A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Omarion Miller</td>
<td>Colorado</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Reed Harris</td>
<td>Boston College</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>DeAndre Moore Jr.</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td> Colorado</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Darrell Gill Jr.</td>
<td>Syracuse</td>
<td>Ole Miss</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Isiah Canion</td>
<td>Georgia Tech</td>
<td>Georgia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Eric Singleton Jr.</td>
<td>Auburn</td>
<td>Florida</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Nick Marsh</td>
<td>Michigan State</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Terrell Anderson</td>
<td>NC State</td>
<td>USC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>Quincy Porter</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Eugene Wilson III</td>
<td>Florida</td>
<td>LSU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Que'Sean Brown</td>
<td>Duke</td>
<td>Virginia Tech</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Tre Richardson</td>
<td>Vanderbilt</td>
<td>Louisville</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Chase Hendricks</td>
<td>Ohio</td>
<td>Cal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Wyatt Young</td>
<td>North Texas</td>
<td>Oklahoma State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Chase Sowell</td>
<td>Iowa State</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Trell Harris</td>
<td>Virginia</td>
<td>Oklahoma</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>Marquis Johnson</td>
<td>Missouri</td>
<td>Mississippi State</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3><a id="Defense" name="Defense">Defensive players</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player (position)</th>
<th>Old School</th>
<th>New School</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Princewill Umanmielen (EDGE)</td>
<td>Ole Miss</td>
<td>LSU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Chaz Coleman (EDGE)</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
<td>Tennessee</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Damon Wilson II (EDGE)</td>
<td>Missouri</td>
<td>Miami</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>James Smith (DL)</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Mateen Ibirogba (DL)</td>
<td>Wake Forest</td>
<td>Texas Tech</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Koi Perich (S)</td>
<td>Minnesota</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Tionne Gray (DL)</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Terrance Green (DL)</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Devan Thompkins (DL)</td>
<td>USC</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Amaris Williams (EDGE)</td>
<td>Auburn</td>
<td>Georgia</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>Tobi Osunsanmi (EDGE)</td>
<td>Kansas State</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Ty Benefield (S)</td>
<td>Boise State</td>
<td>LSU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Xavier Gilliam (DL)</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
<td>Tennessee</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Rickey Gibson III (CB)</td>
<td>Tennessee</td>
<td>Texas A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Jontez Williams (CB)</td>
<td>Iowa State</td>
<td>USC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Smith Snowden (CB)</td>
<td>Utah</td>
<td>Michigan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Tomiwa Durojaiye (DL)</td>
<td>Illinois</td>
<td>South Carolina</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Francis Brewu (DL)</td>
<td>Pitt</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>Keon Keeley (EDGE)</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>Qua Russaw (EDGE)</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>John Henry Daley (EDGE)</td>
<td>Utah</td>
<td>Michigan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>

TEMPE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Sam Leavitt #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms up before the NCAAF game at Mountain America Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. The Cougars defeated the Sun Devils 24-16.

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The Green Bay Packers are expected to work with Matt LaFleur on a new deal to keep the head coach...

The Green Bay Packers are expected to work with Matt LaFleur on a new deal to keep the head coach with the club, sources told <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/2010709337098834030?s=20">ESPN's Adam Schefter.</a>The Packers' season ended Saturday after the Chicago Bears erased a 21-3 deficit and won with a touchdown in the dying minutes. Green Bay had just 19 yards of offense on its first four drives of the second half, allowing the Bears to get back into the game.LaFleur, who has one year left on his current contract, has led the Packers since 2019, guiding them to six playoff appearances. However, Green Bay has been eliminated in the wild-card round in each of the past two seasons and hasn't reached the NFC Championship Game since 2020.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I definitely think Matt should be the head coach," quarterback Jordan Love <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3452709" href="https://thescore.com/news/3452709">said</a> following Saturday night's game. "I've got a lot of love for Matt, and I think he does a good job."Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who was hired in 2025, is interviewing for head coaching jobs this cycle.LaFleur has posted a 76-40-1 regular-season record since joining Green Bay after spending the 2018 season as the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator. The Packers' offense ranks third in offensive touchdowns and 11th in yards over LaFleur's tenure, according to TruMedia.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, at Lambeau Field on November 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the CFP semifinals, during whi...

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the CFP semifinals, during which Indiana and Miami booked spots in the national championship game.Jump to: <a href="#indiana">Indiana</a> | <a href="#oregon">Oregon</a> | <a href="#miami">Miami</a> | <a href="#Miss">Ole Miss</a><h3>
<a id="indiana" name="indiana">Old</a> Indiana has mastered the sport</h3>Malcolm Gladwell pitched a rule in his book "Outliers" that suggests 10,000 hours of deliberate practice at one thing is necessary to master a skill at a world-class level. The Indiana football team might be the latest example of such a phenomenon.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The massive gulf in performance between the Indiana Hoosiers and Oregon Ducks was the biggest discrepancy in the 56-22 blowout Friday, but the second biggest might be the rating of the rosters coming out of high school. Oregon dominates recruiting at a national level, routinely ranking among the best classes in the nation. Its roster includes 55 players who were four- or five-star recruits entering college. Indiana has eight.There are plenty of ways the Hoosiers narrowed that talent gap, but one is fairly basic: In the world of college football, Indiana is really, really old. The average age of the its roster is almost 23, with a number of significant pieces - especially on offense - playing their third and fourth collegiate season.Four of the five starting offensive linemen who limited Oregon to just one sack are in at least their fourth season. The senior running back tandem of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black combined for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wideout Elijah Sarratt killed the Ducks' secondary with death by back-shoulder receptions, finishing with seven catches for 75 yards and two scores.The catalyst for the whole operation is the Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza. The Cal transfer is in his fourth collegiate season and has clearly mastered the sport at this level. Mendoza, whose five touchdowns on the night nearly doubled the amount of incompletions he threw, finished 17-of-20 in a standout showing. He's now completed an absurd 31-of-36 passes in the playoff with eight touchdowns against zero interceptions.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is Fernando Mendoza’s 5th game this year with more TD’s than incompletions No other QB in college football has done that more than twice this century— Dave Revsine (@BTNDaveRevsine) <a href="https://twitter.com/BTNDaveRevsine/status/2009837275253821646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>If that isn't mastery, I don't know what is.<h3>'We're whipping them up front'</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817027/cropped_GettyImages-2255480877.jpg?ts=1768018842" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817027/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255480877.jpg?ts=1768018842 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817027/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255480877.jpg?ts=1768018842 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817027/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255480877.jpg?ts=1768018842 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817027/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255480877.jpg?ts=1768018842 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817027/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255480877.jpg?ts=1768018842 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The man who gave us "<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/uGQi9HsKWhY?si=OsSRZTL-mmyJ_6O7">I win. Google me.</a>" and "<a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/r9BVt0Y0MoI?si=wWirGxzKLbfLCeKo">Purdue sucks, but so does Michigan and Ohio State</a>" added another banger to his endless list of quotes on his way to the locker room at halftime."Anytime the quarterback gets hit, he's less effective," Cignetti said. "And we're whipping them up front."Let's break down what exactly "whipping them up front" means by looking at Indiana's dominant pass-rush.<ul>
<li>3 sacks on 14 dropbacks in 1st half of Peach Bowl</li>
<li>6 sacks on 34 dropbacks in October meeting</li>
</ul>We'll save you the math: That's nine sacks for the Hoosiers on only 48 dropbacks through three halves of football versus the Ducks. Considering Indiana also generated two fumbles and a pick-6 in the opening half Friday, disaster essentially hit Oregon's offense every five dropbacks in these matchups.The latest performance moved Indiana into second nationally with 45 sacks on the season. The only team with more happens to be Miami, its upcoming opponent in the national title game."Whipping them up front" indeed.<h3>
<a id="oregon" name="oregon">Oregon</a> needed NFL-caliber Moore</h3>Entering Friday's contest, there was debate whether Mendoza or Dante Moore will be the top pick in April's NFL Draft. Perhaps the only question left is which classes Moore will take at Oregon in the fall. With injuries ravaging the Ducks' running back room, Moore needed an all-time performance to keep his team in the fight. It became clear from the opening play of the game that it wouldn't happen.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
THAT’S HOW YOU START A BALL GAME🤯 📺ESPN <a href="https://t.co/QnGqSdPKTQ">pic.twitter.com/QnGqSdPKTQ</a>— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBPlayoff/status/2009790791074623954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The performance isn't all on Moore. We touched on his offensive line's inability to block the pass rush earlier. The Ducks were missing three of their top four running backs. However, we only need to rewind 24 hours to Trinidad Chambliss' performance in the Fiesta Bowl to see how an elite quarterback operates in the face of immense pressure. Moore too often shrunk in big moments, turning the ball over three times. Those turnovers led to 21 points for relentless Indiana and essentially decided this contest by half.<h3>Rematches aren't Oregon's thing</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817039/cropped_GettyImages-2255467253.jpg?ts=1768023853" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817039/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255467253.jpg?ts=1768023853 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817039/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255467253.jpg?ts=1768023853 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817039/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255467253.jpg?ts=1768023853 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817039/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255467253.jpg?ts=1768023853 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/817039/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255467253.jpg?ts=1768023853 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>We hear plenty of chatter in football circles about how hard it is to play a team twice in the same season. That may be true in many cases, unless the opposition has a giant 'O' on its helmet and a Duck on the sideline. Dan Lanning is unquestionably one of the top coaches in the sport, but we now have a three-year sample of failure in rematches to suggest there may be an issue.Two separate three-point losses to Washington in the final year of the Pac-12 kept the Ducks out of the four-team playoff two seasons ago. Last year ended in equally embarrassing fashion to Friday's showing, with Ohio State racing out to a 34-8 halftime lead in the playoff before finishing off a 20-point win. That came after Oregon actually beat the Buckeyes earlier in the season.Friday was Lanning's second shot at Indiana this season after the Hoosiers notched one of the program's biggest wins in recent memory in October. While the earlier contest was a close affair, the Peach Bowl was the opposite with the Indiana pass-rush once again wrecking the entire game plan. The ensuing 34-point blowout means the Ducks have been outscored 97-43 in their last two rematches - both CFP games.It's fair to point out that a rematch in college football usually means you have progressed to at least the conference title game. Ohio State won the national championship last year and Indiana is now favored to do the same this year. There's certainly no shame in losing to either opponent. However, Oregon hasn't even been close in either rematch.Lanning had the added distraction this time around of both coordinators having taken head-coaching jobs following the regular season. That presented the awkward scenario where both were trying to do two jobs over the past few weeks. That cannot be the entire blame for the performance, but it's fair to point out Indiana retained its coaching staff and didn't have to deal with the same issue.Regardless, Oregon will have to address the rematch issue going forward, as the 12-team playoff format makes it very likely this could become an annual thing for the top programs in the country.<h3>
<a id="miami" name="miami">Beck</a> delivers in the moment</h3>It was 361 days ago that Carson Beck announced he was withdrawing from the NFL draft and transferring from Georgia to Miami. The price tag was a reported $3.2 million - second only to Duke's Darian Mensah among quarterbacks. Beck's been steady, but unspectacular, thus far in the Hurricanes' season, but the game-winning drive against Ole Miss was proof the money was well spent by Miami.Down by three with 3:13 to play, Beck took the Canes 75 yards in 15 plays before delivering an all-time Miami moment to send the team back to the national title game for the first time since 2003.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
MIAMI WITH A SPOT IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE LINE! 🔥 Canes takes the lead with 18 seconds left 😳 <a href="https://t.co/PI9RRBqGau">pic.twitter.com/PI9RRBqGau</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/2009481525218119841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Beck was clutch with a laser over the middle to convert a crucial 3rd-and-10 on Ole Miss' 35-yard line. That kept the drive going with the potential of a game-winning touchdown instead of a tying field goal - a critical situation considering Trinidad Chambliss had spent the 4th quarter lighting up the Miami defense. Another 11-yard completion to set up 1st-and-goal, and all that was left was Beck's walk-in touchdown.Look, it's neither pretty nor comfortable most of the time with Beck. He spent a large part of the contest giving Miami fans heart palpations with numerous near-interceptions. A lot of his work is done on quick outs or screen passes to avoid throwing into coverage down the field. That can limit the passing attack, but when Malachi Toney is one of your receivers, a <a href="https://x.com/accnetwork/status/2009475638961303649?s=20">3-yard pass can become a 36-yard touchdown</a> real quick.But, when Beck was needed the most, he stepped up and played like the extremely experienced player he is. An unflappable face in the biggest situation of the season was exactly what Mario Cristobal - not exactly the calmest man on the sideline - needed in the moment. Beck gave him that and sent the Canes home to play for a long-awaited national title.<h3>
<a id="Miss" name="Miss">You</a> can't shake this Ole Miss team</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816899/cropped_GettyImages-2255310347.jpg?ts=1767939530" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816899/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255310347.jpg?ts=1767939530 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816899/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255310347.jpg?ts=1767939530 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816899/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255310347.jpg?ts=1767939530 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816899/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255310347.jpg?ts=1767939530 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816899/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255310347.jpg?ts=1767939530 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made the catchphrase "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6z10SExCc0">It doesn't matter!</a>" famous during his legendary wrestling career. While he played his college football for Miami, it's Ole Miss' attitude during its playoff run that can best be described by those words.We won't re-litigate Lane Kiffin's choice to leave for a conference rival before the playoff and take a number of assistants with him. Sure, he loaned a number of those coaches back, but they have been pulling double duty flying back and forth between Baton Rouge and Oxford the past week. That left Pete Golding in a position he'd never been before - head football coach. Yep, a reminder that Golding's first game as the boss came in the playoffs."It doesn't matter."How about a 21-12 half-time deficit to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl - a team that had already beat you once this season?"It doesn't matter."A large portion of Thursday's game evolved into a "Boys vs. Men" type of match, with Miami imposing its will throughout. The Hurricanes had run the ball 41 different times through three quarters, while the Rebels had executed a total of just 37 plays. The time of possession looked like someone was fudging the math - an absurd 33:50 to 11:10 advantage for Miami."It doesn't matter."An electric fourth quarter from both teams gave us an incredible show - and once again Ole Miss rose to the occasion thanks to Chambliss. With star running back Kewan Lacy hobbled, the D-II transfer recaptured the superhero role we've grown accustomed to. Chambliss led an 86-yard field goal drive, and then answered a Miami touchdown in style, taking Ole Miss 75 yards down the field for a go-ahead touchdown.Surely, Miami's go-ahead touchdown with just 18 seconds to play was enough to finish the job and end the season for even the most resilient group in the country, right?It almost doesn't matter.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
THE LAST PLAY THAT SENT MIAMI TO THE CFP NATTY 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/xHXFD1iR2B">pic.twitter.com/xHXFD1iR2B</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/2009483492426502253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Chambliss somehow drove the Rebels into Hail Mary range in 18 seconds for one final prayer at a victory. While it ultimately fell short, not one person out there will hold Ole Miss in anything but the highest regard for its incredible run.This may have been the team that Kiffin built, but the attitude shown by the Rebels throughout the playoff was a unique brand that shows the page is officially turned to the Golding era.<h3>Miami tried so hard to lose this game</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816900/cropped_GettyImages-2255323802.jpg?ts=1767939587" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816900/w220xh124_GettyImages-2255323802.jpg?ts=1767939587 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816900/w320xh180_GettyImages-2255323802.jpg?ts=1767939587 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816900/w640xh360_GettyImages-2255323802.jpg?ts=1767939587 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816900/w768xh432_GettyImages-2255323802.jpg?ts=1767939587 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816900/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2255323802.jpg?ts=1767939587 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>For all the success Mario Cristobal has had in his coaching career - both with Miami and beyond - he still has a lingering reputation for dropping games his team really had no business losing. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, if you will.It looked like that was once again happening in the Fiesta Bowl for very large stretches, with television cutaways to incredibly-stressed Miami fans coming fast and furious. It was certainly a shock coming off the heels of a virtually flawless performance against Ohio State last week.The second half was a penalty and mistake-filled 30 minutes of football, that will now be long in the rearview after the dramatic win. Well, after you read this, of course.The first thing that puzzled in the second half was one of the most inexplicable flea-flicker plays we've seen. Miami was moving the ball at will down the field to begin the half, reaching the Ole Miss 34-yard line after a 19-yard bruising run. One would think another running play over the tired and bruised Rebels defense would be the call. Nope! How about a flea-flicker that turned into a disastrous intentional grounding penalty leading to a missed field goal.The next drive featured another crucial penalty that took a 3rd-and-3 into a 3rd-and-8 and forced a passing attempt to convert deep in Ole Miss territory. The result: a tipped pass that ended with an interception. Two very successful drives to open the second half that resulted in a total of zero points.Two crucial 15-yard penalties - one for targeting and one for a late hit - helped sustain the next Ole Miss drive that eventually led to a touchdown. The targeting one seemed questionable, but there was no doubt on the late hit. Those were two of ten penalties on the night for a whopping 74 yards for Miami. It didn't bite them on Thursday, but a return to the mistake-free football we saw versus Ohio State will be needed to win the national title.

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CFB Blitz: Takeaways as Indiana, Miami advance to title game

The Demond Williams saga took another unexpected turn Thursday night, with the star quarterback a...

The Demond Williams saga took another unexpected turn Thursday night, with the star quarterback announcing his return to Washington for his junior season."After thoughtful reflection with my family, I am excited to announce that I will continue my football journey at the University of Washington," Williams posted on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTRUfVVgd4H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">Instagram</a>. "I am deeply grateful to my coaches, teammates, and everyone in the program for fostering an environment where I can thrive both as an athlete and an individual. I am fully committed and focused on contributing to what we are building."The news comes just days after Williams shocked the college football world by stating his intention to enter the transfer portal despite signing a new deal with Washington only 48 hours earlier. The contract is worth $4 million, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47551538/agent-drops-demond-williams-jr-amid-qb-portal-dispute">Pete Thamel of ESPN</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Washington immediately began pursuing legal avenues to challenge Williams and enforce the contract. A provision in the deal states that Washington doesn't have to enter his name into the transfer portal or assist in a move to another school.If Williams had followed through on his decision to leave, he - or his new school - would have owed Washington the value of his contract, sources told Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. <figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
If he had left, Demond Williams or his new school would have owed Washington the value of his contract ($4 million), sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YahooSports</a>. His new school would have also incurred a reduction in its revenue-share pool next year by that amount, per House settlement guidelines <a href="https://t.co/bJN6y3OQOY">https://t.co/bJN6y3OQOY</a>— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/2009431454854599014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Huskies coach Jedd Fisch followed Williams' statement with one of his own, pledging to support his quarterback as he rejoins the team."Demond and I have engaged in very honest and heartfelt conversations about his present and future. We both agree that the University of Washington is the best place for him to continue his academic, athletic and social development," Fisch <a href="https://x.com/UWAthletics/status/2009430418463055938?s=20">said on X</a>. "I appreciate Demond's statement. I support him, and we will work together to begin the process of repairing relationships and regaining the trust of the Husky community."Williams' decision is certainly beneficial to the program, as he's one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He threw for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season and rushed for 611 yards and an additional six scores.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. #2 of the Washington Huskies points up at the fans after throwing a scoring pass during the first half of the LA Bowl Game against the Boise State Broncos at Sofi Stadium on December 13, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Demond Williams announces return to Washington

Kyle Whittingham is bringing one of Utah's top players with him to Michigan in edge rusher John H...

Kyle Whittingham is bringing one of Utah's top players with him to Michigan in edge rusher John Henry Daley.The redshirt junior, who <a href="https://x.com/JohnHenryDaley1/status/2009427393249988868?s=20">announced</a> the move Thursday, was an absolute menace for Whittingham's defense in Salt Lake City, posting 11.5 sacks in 11 games this season.Only five players in the country registered more sacks than Daley, with each of them appearing in more contests.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Daley, who was ranked by <a href="https://247sports.com/season/2026-football/transferportaltop/">247 Sports</a> as the ninth-best pass-rusher in the transfer portal, should immediately boost a Wolverines defense that ranked 54th nationally in sacks.

PROVO, UT - OCTOBER 18: John Henry Daley #90 of the Utah Utes looks to the sideline for a play during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Provo, Utah.

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Michigan lands Utah star Daley

Aidan Chiles is remaining in the Big Ten, as the Michigan State transfer has committed to Northwe...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/184320" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/184320">Aidan Chiles</a> is remaining in the Big Ten, as the Michigan State transfer has committed to Northwestern, he announced Wednesday.The quarterback is a significant addition for the Wildcats, who are aiming to bolster an offense that ranked among the bottom five in the Big Ten for scoring last season.Northwestern hired Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator earlier in January and now brings on Chiles to run the attack.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Chiles threw for 1,392 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2025 before the Spartans benched him in favor of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/199137" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/199137">Alessio Milivojevic</a>.

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 25: Aidan Chiles #2 of the Michigan State Spartans runs in action and looks to pass the ball against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 25, 2025 in East Lansing, Michigan.

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Chiles commits to Northwestern

Kewan Lacy is returning to Ole Miss for the 2026 season, the team announced Tuesday.  The All-SEC...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/197818" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/197818">Kewan Lacy</a> is returning to Ole Miss for the 2026 season, the team announced Tuesday.The All-SEC running back signed for another year with the Rebels, sources told <a href="https://x.com/max_olson/status/2008398330813182332?s=20">Max Olson and Pete Thamel of ESPN</a> on Monday.Lacy ranks third in the country with 1,464 rushing yards and has been a key catalyst in the Rebels' run to the College Football Playoff semifinal later this week.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Star quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/213701" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/213701">Trinidad Chambliss</a> announced Monday he'd also return to Ole Miss next season, provided he receives a waiver from the NCAA granting him a sixth year of eligibility.Lacy and Chambliss were both perceived as potential transfers to LSU after former coach Lane Kiffin bolted to Baton Rouge following Ole Miss' regular season. The duo transferred to Oxford under Kiffin's watch and became stars in his offense.However, both have now pledged commitments to remain with the Rebels, who face Kiffin in Week 3 next season.

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 18: Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs the ball during the college football game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 18th, 2025 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA.

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Lacy to return to Ole Miss in 2026

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the College Football Playoff q...

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CFB Blitz: Takeaways from the playoff quarterfinals 

It didn't officially come on Dec. 25, but Michigan fans got a late Christmas present in the form ...

It didn't officially come on Dec. 25, but Michigan fans got a late Christmas present in the form of a future Hall-of-Fame coach.The Wolverines hired Utah legend Kyle Whittingham as the program's new head coach on Friday, with the school <a href="https://mgoblue.com/news/2025/12/26/kyle-whittingham-named-michigans-j-ira-and-nicki-harris-family-head-football-coach">announcing</a> the addition of the 66-year-old on a five-year contract.Whittingham's hire makes it 31 FBS jobs changing hands in a coaching carousel that opened in September and took more spins than a "Wheel of Fortune" marathon.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Even though Michigan's move came under extremely challenging circumstances at a very awkward time, the Wolverines somehow leave the cycle with perhaps the best hire of the list.Who Whittingham brings with him to fill out his staff will be crucial, of course. But make no mistake, the veteran coach is a major upgrade from whatever setup Sherrone Moore was running before his shocking ouster at the start of December for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.Whittingham's resume represents an incredible run with one of the steadiest programs in history. Since taking over at Utah for Urban Meyer in 2005, the hard-nosed coach went a sparkling 177-88 with eight different 10-win seasons - including the current campaign.As impressive as the facts and statistics are, Whittingham's best attribute for Michigan might be who he is, not what he is. He's a damn good football coach, but it's been a long time since a program just needed an adult in the room to come in and clean up a mess. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in college football who fits that description better than Whittingham.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815389/cropped_GettyImages-2244904407.jpg?ts=1766811387" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815389/w220xh124_GettyImages-2244904407.jpg?ts=1766811387 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815389/w320xh180_GettyImages-2244904407.jpg?ts=1766811387 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815389/w640xh360_GettyImages-2244904407.jpg?ts=1766811387 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815389/w768xh432_GettyImages-2244904407.jpg?ts=1766811387 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815389/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2244904407.jpg?ts=1766811387 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos / ISI Photos / Getty</figcaption></figure>Netflix's documentary crew could take up permanent residence in Ann Arbor with the amount of material the Wolverines' football program has provided in recent years. Jim Harbaugh's teams reached a mountain top many didn't think was possible, but the lasting image of his tenure is as much scandal as champion for any non-Michigan supporter.After Harbaugh bolted for the NFL, Moore's appointment didn't exactly calm the waters. It was just four months ago that the NCAA finally handed down suspensions and show-cause penalties in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal.The on-field performance certainly dipped after Harbaugh's departure, and recent reports from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6909584/2025/12/22/sherrone-moore-michigan-firing-women/">The Athletic</a> and the <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2025/12/23/michigan-football-sherrone-moore-arrest/87889500007/?gca-cat=p&amp;gnt-cfr=1">Detroit Free Press</a> suggest Moore wasn't even equipped to run a Madden team on franchise mode, let alone one of college football's behemoths.Whittingham immediately changes that, bringing a sterling reputation to Ann Arbor. His lengthy career has been virtually free of scandal, and his Utes are fresh off a 10-win season in which their only losses came against two teams inside the top 15 of the CFP. Perhaps the most "damning" thing in his Utah tenure was his inability to provide a clear timeline on when he planned to retire.OK, the grown-up is now in the room. So what does his addition mean on the field?His program has long been built on elite defense, toughness, and an often devastating rushing attack. Sound familiar, Michigan fans?Whittingham's teams have annually garnered national respect for how hard they compete on defense each and every game. Morgan Scalley taking over as Utah head coach means Whittingham will have a new voice at the defensive coordinator position with the Wolverines, but his extensive background on that side of the ball should calm any concerns.It's the offensive side of things where the Whittingham hire should excite fans the most, especially if Jason Beck is joining him.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815391/cropped_GettyImages-2233182470.jpg?ts=1766812214" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815391/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233182470.jpg?ts=1766812214 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815391/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233182470.jpg?ts=1766812214 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815391/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233182470.jpg?ts=1766812214 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815391/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233182470.jpg?ts=1766812214 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/815391/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233182470.jpg?ts=1766812214 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ric Tapia / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure><a href="https://x.com/mzenitz/status/2004605438499934520?s=20">Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports</a> reported Friday that Whittingham will attempt to bring the Utah offensive coordinator with him to Michigan. That should be priority No. 1 - a hire that would have students singing "<a href="https://x.com/TheAidenWagner/status/1744579185782272254?s=20">Mr. Brightside</a>" in the streets. Beck's first season with the Utes was a masterclass. He immediately fixed an ailing offense, with Utah leading the country in yards per rush and finishing 5th nationally in scoring under his guidance.Beck accomplished this with Devon Dampier at quarterback, a fine player at New Mexico who shined after making the jump to the power conference level. However, Beck getting someone with the talent level of Bryce Underwood at the controls would be like putting Lewis Hamilton at your local go-kart track.Underwood can expect to get real close with Whittingham in the coming days, as the new coach will surely work to retain as many key players as possible. One has to think that a Beck hire would keep most of the offense in tact.Some may raise questions about Whittingham's age - he's the third-oldest coach at the FBS level. However, he certainly comes across as a very youthful 66, and, for reference, he's only two years older than the head coach of the nation's top team, Curt Cignetti.The most apt question to be asking surrounds Whittingham's recruiting chops. He returned solid, if unspectacular, classes to Utah annually. But with the resources and prestige Michigan offers, it would be expected that the Wolverines will remain a top destination.Since Moore was fired on Dec. 8, Michigan fans have heard an almost endless list of candidates trotted out as possible options. Kalen DeBoer, Jedd Fisch, Kenny Dillingham, Jesse Minter, John Harbaugh, Jeff Brohm, and a host of others were all mentioned at one time or another. Some were part of more serious discussions, while others were simply floated in passing.In the end, the Wolverines opted for the adult in the room to get everything back in order. Don't be shocked if Whittingham quickly leads the Wolverines back into playoff contention - scandal free.

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Whittingham gives Michigan the adult it needs

The vibes in Norman couldn't have been higher.   It was 17-0 and the Oklahoma crowd was absolutel...

The vibes in Norman couldn't have been higher. It was 17-0 and the Oklahoma crowd was absolutely buzzing.The defense was doing its regular thing and making life hell for Ty Simpson behind an overmatched Alabama offensive line. Even the previously anemic offense had driven the field three different times with ease. The difference in total yardage was a comical 181-12.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Sooner party had fully started, and it looked as though it was going to be an all-time night for the storied program as it finally got a win in the College Football Playoff.And then it all ended, abruptly, before the game even hit halftime. Alabama served a cold reminder that momentum is one helluva drug - especially in the high-stakes game that is the CFP.It started with the 4th-down king once again issuing a royal decree: this ain't over. Kalen DeBoer has shown throughout his entire FBS coaching career that he is without peer when it comes to gambles in big spots, and he rolled the dice yet again in Norman. Fail and this was almost certainly over. Succeed and the Tide were right back in the contest.Take it away, Lotzeir Brooks.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BAMA CRASHING IN FOR 6️⃣ 📺ABC/ESPN <a href="https://t.co/O7heXrTV7G">pic.twitter.com/O7heXrTV7G</a>— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBPlayoff/status/2002202141193351385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Like unclogging a toilet - and make no mistake, that's an apt comparison for how Alabama had looked up until this point - Brooks' touchdown removed the Oklahoma impediment and got the Tide flowing again.Five plays later, the visitors didn't just have the ball back, but were already deep in opponent territory. We'd like to credit some outstanding play by Alabama for that situation, but the Sooners' punter literally just dropped the ball in a <a href="https://x.com/CFBKings/status/2002202761618767971?s=20">moment that still doesn't make sense</a>.Alabama would get a field goal out of that miscue to cut the lead to seven, and the Tide were officially rolling.The punter blunder was bad, but the upcoming series would be what turned things for good. The culprit? A play so inexplicable you could see the energy sucked out of the building even while watching on television.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
50-YARD PICK SIX 🚨 📺ABC/ESPN <a href="https://t.co/PxizpL4J8D">pic.twitter.com/PxizpL4J8D</a>— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBPlayoff/status/2002207434283364629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>A 50-yard pick-6 - with not one Oklahoma receiver in the frame - officially erased the 17-point lead and made it a new ballgame by halftime.Technically the game was even at the break, but even the most ardent Sooner out there would admit the home team was on the ropes. Unfortunately, Oklahoma had been down that road before, blowing a 17-point lead to Georgia in a 2018 CFP loss.That second half picked up where the first ended, with an early Alabama touchdown giving it a lead it would never relinquish. The final 10-point margin ensured another blown 17-point lead for the Sooners and dropped the program's record to 0-5 in the history of the playoff. According to <a href="https://x.com/CodyNagel247/status/2002239426529755219?s=20">Cody Nagel of 247 Sports</a>, teams in the playoff are now 28-2 all-time when holding a lead of at least 17 points in a game, with both losses by Oklahoma.In the end, the game was decided over a 40-minute span. The first 19 a resounding victory for the Sooners to take the 17-0 lead. However, they may have staggered the Tide, but they didn't knock them out. Alabama's 21 minutes of fury saw the visitors outscore the hosts 27-0 and dominate 194-59 in total offense.Oklahoma spent all season winning in spite of its offense, but couldn't pull one more rabbit out of the hat once the Tide had flipped the script. That ended up costing the Sooners in the end, and will bring about plenty of offseason questions as to whether John Mateer is the quarterback to get that fixed in Norman.Alabama's reward for the victory is a date with No. 1 Indiana - a matchup that will mark the first ever clash between the schools.

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Alabama reminds us momentum is a helluva drug

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from Saturday's tripleheader of Col...

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from Saturday's tripleheader of College Football Playoff games and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Locals deliver for Miami</h3>If you want to win at Miami, you better own the South Florida region in high school recruiting, as it's been one of the main catalysts behind the success of "The U" across generations of college football. Mario Cristobal has done just that since taking over his alma mater, and the fruits of that labor showed in a big way during the program's first CFP win.The Hurricanes' narrow 10-3 victory over Texas A&amp;M was certainly a team effort, but three local kids stood out as central figures who delivered in the clutch.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The first comes as no surprise: Wide receiver Malachi Toney has been Miami's most dangerous offensive player since stepping on campus as a product of the famed American Heritage School. For a brief moment, though, Toney was on the other side of glory following a crucial fumble that gave the Aggies the ball near midfield in a 3-3 game. However, Texas A&amp;M's offense quickly stalled - something we saw plenty of - and soon after, the 18-year-old redeemed himself with the go-ahead touchdown.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
THE FRESHMAN IN THE CLUTCH 🔥 Malachi Toney gives Miami the lead 👀 <a href="https://t.co/iHiRTBKQZA">pic.twitter.com/iHiRTBKQZA</a>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/2002475799257948404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Toney largely had running back Mark Fletcher Jr. to thank for that chance at redemption. Toney's fellow American Heritage alumnus - three years his senior - ran all over the Aggies for a career-best 172 rushing yards. Fletcher's own clutch moment - a 56-yard scamper from the Hurricanes' 14-yard line - set up Toney for his eventual game-winning touchdown.At long last, the offense had generated enough points to win. Then, one final stop by Miami's defense sent the Canes to the Cotton Bowl for a date with Ohio State. Freshman defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald - who went to Christopher Columbus High School, the same as Cristobal - did the honors, picking off Marcel Reed for the second time, this one a game-sealing interception in the end zone.Add in three sacks and four tackles for loss from the outrageous Rueben Bain Jr. and it's clear that the 305's impact was massive in the victory over the Aggies.<h3>Reed limits Texas A&amp;M</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814765/cropped_GettyImages-2252887336.jpg?ts=1766280310" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814765/w220xh124_GettyImages-2252887336.jpg?ts=1766280310 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814765/w320xh180_GettyImages-2252887336.jpg?ts=1766280310 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814765/w640xh360_GettyImages-2252887336.jpg?ts=1766280310 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814765/w768xh432_GettyImages-2252887336.jpg?ts=1766280310 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814765/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2252887336.jpg?ts=1766280310 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>As if losing on a potential game-tying touchdown being intercepted isn't reason enough to cause Texas A&amp;M fans distress, when you scale back the Aggies' season a few weeks, even greater offensive concerns are revealed.Chief among them is the play of Reed when the level of competition ramps up. He can light up a scoreboard at the best of times - just ask Notre Dame - but his play down the stretch simply wasn't good enough. The regular-season finale against Texas and CFP opener versus Miami represented the most talented defensive units the Aggies faced, and the returns were incredibly underwhelming.Reed completed 45 of 71 passes for a total of 417 yards in those contests with zero touchdowns against four interceptions. That 5.8-yard average per throw would rank well outside the top 100 in the nation. Those struggles doomed the team's offense in its most critical moments, with the Aggies scoring seven total points across their last six quarters of football.The book on Reed is to keep him in the pocket and force him to take shots down the field. So much of the success in A&amp;M's passing game comes from KC Concepcion and Mario Craver working magic after the catch. Outside of a 59-yard completion to Craver, the Aggies' longest passing play Saturday was just 19 yards.Getting Reed more comfortable against top-level competition has to be Texas A&amp;M's No. 1 priority this offseason. The Aggies won't take the next step until he does - or they bring in someone else.<h3>Train still runs without Lane</h3>It took exactly three plays for Ole Miss to show that Lane Kiffin's absence wasn't going to be a crippling loss in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Pete Golding era in Oxford began with a three-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in Kewan Lacy plunging into the end zone to give the Rebels a lead they would never relinquish against Tulane.How Ole Miss would look without Kiffin was the question on everyone's minds heading into the playoff. The emphatic answer: the exact same.The 41-10 blowout looked virtually identical to the Rebels' 45-10 win over the Green Wave in September. The American champion simply wasn't on the same level athletically. Those against Group of 5 representation in the CFP will certainly use this result as a talking point, and it's tough to argue after what we saw on the field.It's unclear whether Kiffin was watching his former team in action, but he did post some extremely specific stats online during the contest.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/LSUfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LSUfootball</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/QNMIFsPLse">pic.twitter.com/QNMIFsPLse</a>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/2002510006910919040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Kiffin should be pleased with the Rebels' victory, considering LSU is paying him any contract bonuses that he would have received at Ole Miss. That means Saturday's win made him $250K richer.Ole Miss booked another rematch with the win: a meeting with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.<h3>Cinderella hibernates until March</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814789/cropped_GettyImages-2252903174.jpg?ts=1766292120" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814789/w220xh124_GettyImages-2252903174.jpg?ts=1766292120 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814789/w320xh180_GettyImages-2252903174.jpg?ts=1766292120 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814789/w640xh360_GettyImages-2252903174.jpg?ts=1766292120 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814789/w768xh432_GettyImages-2252903174.jpg?ts=1766292120 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814789/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2252903174.jpg?ts=1766292120 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Tom Hauck / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>There's nothing more entertaining in college sports than a small program trying to make a Cinderella run and take down some of the blockbuster names in the sport. At least, in March that is.Saturday served an emphatic reminder that football ain't basketball and Cinderella doesn't make an appearance until Christmas is long gone.Thanks to the ineptitude of the ACC and it's outrageously silly tiebreaker setup, this year's College Football Playoff saw two different Group of 5 programs make the field. Some thought that meant two different chances for David to slay Goliath and shock the world. However, in reality, it simply handed Ole Miss and Oregon de facto byes to the quarterfinals.The combined score by halftime in the final two games of the day was 51-9. At least Oregon made James Madison's death quick with five straight touchdown drives to open the contest at an absurd 16.6 yards per play.Yes, upsets in March Madness are a core part of the sport, and one of the main things that drives attention to the tournament. However, the talent and size discrepancy between basketball programs is significantly different than what we see on the football field. If you combine the 11-man offensive and defensive units Saturday, it's not a huge stretch to suggest Oregon had the best 22 players in the final game of the day.We aren't saying football will never produce a stunning result. Anybody who has watched long enough remembers Appalachian State over Michigan, Boise State over Oklahoma, or just last year when national runner-up Notre Dame lost at home to Northern Illinois. However, not one of those games came during a playoff for the national title. With extra time to prepare, any opponent is going to get the full attention of a giant like Oregon. Add the transfer portal stripping the majority of top players from the Group of 5 level, and it's borderline impossible to ever see one of these underdogs winning in the pressure cooker of the playoff.Anti-trust regulations forced the inclusion of the Group of 5 in the playoff, so they will likely remain with a spot moving forward. However, the committee needs to ensure that's where it ends, regardless of what shenanigans the ACC pulls.

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CFB Blitz: Takeaways from Saturday's 1st-round games

Miami's 10-3 victory over Texas A&M in Saturday's College Football Playoff contest was certainly ...

Miami's 10-3 victory over Texas A&amp;M in Saturday's College Football Playoff contest was certainly the main event, but the Hurricanes also scored a win on the undercard thanks to Rueben Bain Jr.Through no fault of his own, the star defensive end found himself in the news leading into the game thanks to Aggies' star OT Trey Zuhn III.Zuhn entered the tilt holding PFF's top grade for a pass-blocking offensive lineman in the nation. That clearly had him brimming with confidence when asked what kind of challenge Bain could present the home team.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I don't think he will be a threat that we need to worry about too much," Zuhn told <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/fIfdJbKjVcI?si=0sEhOC1_MgtDggLx">CBS Sports</a>. "We have great players, a great offensive line, so we'll be able to handle him."Bain made sure Zuhn's prediction would prove false, absolutely dominating the Aggies from the opening drive. The projected first-round pick finished with an outrageous line of three sacks, four tackles for loss and a blocked field goal in the win."Some guys were in the media saying some things, God bless them," Bain said afterwards, according to <a href="https://x.com/S_Font_Sports/status/2002490733165711516?s=20">Sebastian Font of Canes Insight</a>. "Don't write checks you can't cash."The Hurricanes are now off to face Ohio State in the quarterfinals, with Bain once again squaring off with a top-ranked offensive line. It's probably a safe bet the Buckeyes won't be doing much talking in the media prior to kickoff.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 29, 2025: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes looks on during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Miami's Bain on A&M chatter: 'Don't write checks you can't cash'

Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy left Saturday's first-round CFP matchup versus Tulane late in the third ...

Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy left Saturday's first-round CFP matchup versus Tulane late in the third quarter with a shoulder injury.Lacy initially suffered the injury in the second quarter, heading to the medical tent on the final drive of the half. The running back would return after halftime, with the TNT broadcast relaying that he had been offered a shoulder harness but declined to use one.Lacy played almost the entirety of the third quarter before heading to the sideline in pain in the final minute.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The breakout rusher made his usual impact early against the Green Wave, scoring a touchdown on the third play of the game. He departed with 87 yards rushing in the game and the Rebels leading 27-3. Head coach Pete Golding confirmed to <a href="https://x.com/clowfb/status/2002538586722484427?s=20">On3's Chris Low</a> that it was a bruised shoulder for Lacy and that he would be further evaluated.The hosts would see out the victory without Lacy, eventually winning 41-10 to setup a quarterfinal rematch against Georgia.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - DECEMBER 20: Kewan Lacy #5 of the Ole Miss Rebels is tackled by Kevin Adams III #7 of the Tulane Green Wave during the first half of the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round Game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi.

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Ole Miss star Lacy exits with shoulder injury

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Dane Belbeck

Supervising Editor

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