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    Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti raises the trophy after the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti raises the trophy after the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
    Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti raises the trophy after the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti raises the trophy after the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

    Stephen A. Smith Makes Feelings Clear On Indiana vs Miami Championship Game Preview: “Potential Of An A** Kicking Coming”

    The National Championship game will be played this Monday, January 19, and the excitement is in the air. Miami clawed its way through a tough gauntlet, making it to the final as the No. 10 seed underdog. Meanwhile, Indiana is undefeated and demolished every opponent in one-sided games during the playoffs, plus they have the Heisman winner in Fernando Mendoza.

    As ESPN’s “First Take” previewed the big game, Cam Newton, Stephen A. Smith, and Ryan Clark spoke at length about the two teams and their chances of winning it all. However, Smith was as blunt as ever. He believes that, like all the other teams, Miami will get demolished as well, and that will happen on their home turf at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

    “If you get your A** kicked on national television in the national championship game on your home turf, now that’s different,” he said. (5:12)

    He then brought up Miami great Michael Irving, who has been very supportive of his alma mater and has been loud and proud during the entire CFP. Smith said Irving is afraid for the Hurricanes.

    “He nervous as hell, okay?” Smith added. “Because he knows there’s the potential for an A** kicking coming. Right. Miami better be ready because Indiana, you know, they going to be ready. Cignetti has given you no indication that this team is not going to be ill prepared.”

    Smith added that, given how dominant Indiana has been, many are already bracing for the inevitable for the Canes. However, he said they could make things competitive and not end up like Oregon, where the game was over in the first quarter when they faced the Hoosiers.

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    Indiana Coming In As Massive Favorites in Football National Championship Game

    It is not looking good for Miami. Sure, they conquered giants like Ohio State and Ole Miss, but Indiana has been a different beast entirely in the College Football Playoffs.

    The Hoosiers are -8.5 favorites in the spread, according to DraftKings, for a total of 47.5 with a -11 over/under. The moneyline for Indiana is -340, and the moneyline for Miami is +270.

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