National championship bets: Is Indiana inevitable?
Indiana and Miami are the final two teams remaining. The Hoosiers are looking to capture their first national championship, while the Hurricanes eye their first since 2001.
Whether you've ridden or faded us, we've been with you throughout the college football season, dating back to August. It's time for one final preview featuring a game, a pick, and player props for Monday's showdown.
π All national title odds and markets can be found on theScore Bet here
Game time: Monday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
π Pick: Indiana -8.5
I'm done betting against Indiana. It has defeated its playoff opponents, Alabama and Oregon, by an average margin of 34.5 points. This team is on an inevitable path toward college football coronation, soon to complete the greatest turnaround in the sport's history
The Hoosiers are the nation's only team with a top-three scoring offense and defense. They rarely make mistakes, they bully opponents for 60 minutes, and they're extremely fundamentally sound.
The matchup to watch is Miami's pass rush versus Indiana's offensive line. The Hurricanes boast the nation's best pass rush, which features fierce defensive linemen bound for the NFL, while the Hoosiers carry an elite offensive line, particularly as pass-blockers.
The Hurricanes' 54 sacks lead the country. When they get to the quarterback, they disrupt the offense's flow and rhythm. But they haven't faced a quarterback like Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner and projected top pick in the NFL draft. He rarely throws interceptions and posts a Power 4-best 71.7 passing grade under pressure, according to PFF. Indiana's dominance starts in the trenches, yet it hasn't played a team as physically equipped as Miami. However, its offensive line and quarterback play will mitigate any advantages the Hurricanes' defense has held in previous contests.
Miami wideout Malachi Toney could present a problem for Indiana's defense. But Carson Beck still has one game left before he can officially silence his doubters, despite how impressive he was against a mediocre-at-best Ole Miss defense. If the Hoosiers can avoid giving up explosive plays, they'll run up the score.
Finally, don't be fooled by this game's location. Although it's being played in Miami, I expect plenty of Indiana fans to flood the stadium with its overwhelmingly large alumni base.
The Hurricanes made too many mistakes in the semifinal, almost costing them the game. Indiana, the better-coached team, capitalizes on its opponents' errors while seldom making its own. The Hoosiers are destined for another blowout en route to a championship.
π All national title odds and markets can be found on theScore Bet here
All markets are subject to availability
π Bet: Anytime TD (+150)
Toney has a chance to be one of the best receivers in college football history. That's not hyperbole. He's been that dominant as a freshman. He explodes after the catch for huge gains that often result in touchdowns. Toney has scored six times in his last six games, and Beck will certainly look his way frequently as a safety valve against Indiana's elite defense.
π Bet: Under 207.5 passing yards
Despite having Toney as a weapon, Miami can't rely on Beck to be a high-volume passer versus Indiana. His 37 attempts against Ole Miss was an anomaly, and the Rebels' defense isn't particularly strong. The Hurricanes will rely on their running game to move the ball and limit the opportunities for Beck to throw an interception. He threw for 103 and 138 yards in the team's first two playoff games, respectively.
π Bet: Over 46.5 receiving yards
Cooper is one of Mendoza's favorite targets, leading Indiana in receptions and receiving yards. Miami's secondary isn't as dominant as its defensive line. If Mendoza remains efficient against pressure, there will be plenty of pass-catching opportunities for Cooper, who averages 57.7 receiving yards per contest.
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