A champion will be crowned on Monday night, as the Miami Hurricanes (13-2) and Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) collide in the College Football Playoff National Championship at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Miami won its last national title in 2001, and Indiana would become a first-time champion with a win. Which players could make big impacts on Monday?
Let’s break down the top five key players in Miami vs. Indiana, gaining insight for projections on PrizePicks.
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Top 5 Key Players in Miami vs. Indiana CFP National Championship
In our Miami vs. Indiana position vs. position breakdown, the run games and lines of scrimmage were two major keys highlighted for the CFP Championship.
However, key players are not exclusive to the ground game, as both passing attacks sport several notable pieces.
Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
Beginning with the Canes’ rushing attack, they’ve upped their productivity to 173.0 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry over three CFP games. For context, Miami logged 150.6 rushing yards per contest (66th) and 4.1 yards per attempt (85th) during the regular season.
Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr. has been a workhorse, amassing 19.3 carries and 131.7 rushing yards per contest (6.8 yards per rush) in the postseason. He’s also racked up 4.4 yards after contact per carry in the three-game split, via Pro Football Focus. For context, that would have ranked 13th among qualifying RBs in the regular season.
The Hurricanes’ air attack has posted only 6.1 yards per passing attempt in the CFP, compared to 8.1 during the regular season (24th). If this production continues, Miami could lean on its top back for big-time numbers.
PrizePicks CFP National Championship Projection: Mark Fletcher Jr. – 70.5 Rush Yards
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
The Hoosiers tout an absurd 71.4% rush-play rate over two CFP games. That’s a huge increase from 60.8% in the regular season (15th).
Indiana has cruised with an average margin of +34.5 points per game in the playoffs, contributing to a sky-high rush rate. The passing game has still been productive in the early going, as QB Fernando Mendoza is posting a wildly efficient 10.3 yards per pass in the CFP.
According to Game on Paper, Miami’s D has been best at defending the pass by giving up -0.15 EPA per dropback (14th) compared to 0.04 EPA per rush (79th). If the Hoosiers find success through the air, paired with an advantage on the ground, they might cruise as 7.5-point favorites (via PrizePicks Team Picks).
PrizePicks CFP National Championship Projection: Fernando Mendoza – 223.5 Pass Yards
Miami DE Rueben Bain & DE Akheem Mesidor
Slowing down Mendoza & Co. is a tough task given their 9.3 yards per pass (fourth), but the Canes rank first in PFF’s pass rush grade and 13th in sack rate. Miami DEs Rueben Bain (21 pressures) and Akheem Mesidor (19 pressures) have dominated the postseason.
According to PFF, IU’s QB carries a 72.3 passing grade when under pressure — a significant drop from his 92.5 mark with a clean pocket.
Bain and Mesidor are also excellent against the run, boasting rush defense grades of 87.1 and 90.0. Mel Kiper of ESPN ranks Bain (13th) and Mesidor (16th) as top-16 prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. The Hoosiers’ offensive line does not possess the same level of talent, as LT Carter Smith (OT9) is the only offensive lineman on Kiper’s big board.
The Canes’ talented defensive line could be the key to limiting Mendoza, Indiana RB Kaelon Black (59.5 rushing yards), and RB Roman Hemby’s (61.5 rushing yards) projected stats on PrizePicks.
PrizePicks CFP National Championship Projection: Rueben Bain – 0.5 Sacks
Miami QB Carson Beck
Miami nets 0.17 EPA per pass (16th) compared to -0.04 EPA per rush (98th). While QB Carson Beck has totaled only 169.7 passing yards per game in the CFP, this is still a capable air attack that amasses an average of 248.2 passing yards on the season (42nd).
PFF credits Beck with a 77.5 passing grade, but he’s posted marks of 41.3, 71.1, and 58.8 in the playoffs. Indiana boasts an excellent defense, yielding only 11.9 PPG (second) and 4.6 yards per play (11th).
The Hurricanes may need balance for consistent points, meaning Beck could need to improve his play.
PrizePicks CFP National Championship Projection: Carson Beck – 202.5 Pass Yards
Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds
Miami WR Malachi Toney posted 94.0 receiving yards per game in the regular season, but that’s dropped to 39.7 receiving yards per contest over three CFP appearances. He is, however, coming off his best postseason showing by logging 81 yards, including a 36-yard catch and score.
Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds may be the answer to slowing Miami’s top target. Ponds earned First Team All-Big Ten honors and ranks as CB5 on Kiper’s 2026 NFL Draft big board. He’s one of CFB’s best cover corners, proven by an 85.6 PFF coverage grade.
The Hurricanes utilize Toney like a Swiss army knife, moving him into the slot and backfield. Indiana CB Devan Boykin mans the nickel position, touting an impressive 86.5 PFF coverage grade.
Can Ponds and Boykin halt the standout freshman?
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Make Miami vs. Indiana CFP National Championship Picks on PrizePicks
From Fletcher in the ground game to Mendoza against CFB’s best pass rush, the CFP National Championship features plenty of stars who could make big impacts.
You can make your Miami vs. Indiana CFP Championship picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
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