Miami vs. Indiana Expert Picks & Best Bets for CFP National Championship Today

It's here! The CFP National Championship kicks off today at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., and we have you covered from every angle with our Miami vs. Indiana expert picks and best bets for every major betting market.

From our ATS picks and favorite player prop bets to the best touchdown scorer predictions, MVP odds, and more betting advice, this is truly your one-stop-shop to get you ready for this national championship matchup tonight.

All of our picks below are courtesy of our college football expert Rob Paul, who predicted Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 pick last April and gave out Miami as a CFP long shot in November. If it's about college football, Paul knows more about it than anyone.

🏈 Miami vs. Indiana expert picks: 2026 CFP National Championship

See the latest college football odds and our college football picks for the 2026 CFP National Championship.

🔮 Miami vs. Indiana ATS prediction

Indiana -8.5 (-108) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Indiana is one win away from being one of the greatest teams in college football history, and I don't see Miami stopping the Hoosiers. Curt Cignetti's team brings its best against the best, with Indiana being 5-0 ATS against ranked teams and beating those teams by an average margin of 27 points.

Indiana has the best offensive line Miami has seen all season, and if Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza has time, he'll pick the Canes apart. Meanwhile, Carson Beck has been lackluster in two of three CFP games and now takes on the No. 2-ranked defense by SP+."

You can read more of Paul's analysis in his Miami vs. Indiana prediction, including the best betting trends and latest injuries and betting insights for this title matchup. He also breaks down how Indiana will win as the betting favorite and how Miami will win as the "home" underdog at Hard Rock Stadium.

🔥 Best Miami vs. Indiana player prop pick

Fernando Mendoza 3+ passing TDs (+205) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Fernando Mendoza has become a living legend by winning the Heisman and surging to the top of the 2026 NFL Draft odds. He leads the country in QBR (90.2), TD passes (41), and ranks in the top 10 in big-time throw rate (6.6%).

Mendoza has thrown at least three TDs in eight games this season, and in two CFP games, he has eight TD passes to just five incompletions. He's thrown more touchdowns than had incompletions in five games this season. In the last 25 years, no other college QB has managed that feat more than twice."

Paul breaks down all of his favorite Miami vs. Indiana player props in more detail, including why he's betting on Hurricanes QB Carson Beck to throw multiple interceptions and Hoosiers star receiver Elijah Sarratt to finish with at least six receptions tonight. He writes more about Surratt in his CFP National Championship X-factors for the title game.

🙌 Best Miami vs. Indiana touchdown scorer pick

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana (+140) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"One of the most underrated players taking the field in the national championship is Omar Cooper Jr. He leads the Hoosiers in targets (84), receptions (64), receiving yards (866), and has scored 14 times in 15 games this season.

Cooper is like a running back with the ball in his hands, ranking No. 1 on Indiana in YAC (437) and fifth nationally in forced missed tackles on receptions (24). Against a Miami defense that struggles with missed tackles, especially in the secondary, Cooper's going to cause issues. He's scored in 11 of his last 13 games, including six straight."

Paul also breaks down why he's betting on Malachi Toney and Surratt to score tonight in his Miami vs. Indiana anytime touchdown scorer predictions, which includes a parlay for all three to score at better than 10/1 odds. He also breaks down his favorite Miami vs. Indiana first touchdown scorer predictions featuring two star wideouts and a long shot.

🚀 Miami vs. Indiana same-game parlay

Here's a look at Paul's favorite Miami vs. Indiana same-game parlay for the CFP National Championship, which features three bets and pays out at +540 odds tonight:

🏆 CFP National Championship MVP predictions

See all of Paul's picks for this award in his CFP National Championship MVP predictions.

Offense: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (-270)

"While Mendoza's odds are extremely short at our best college football betting sites, it's hard to go with any other player for offensive MVP. He's having one of the most memorable individual seasons in college football history, and leads the country in QBR (90.2) and TD passes (41).

I'm taking the Hoosiers to win big in my Miami vs. Indiana prediction, and if that happens, there's almost no way the Heisman winner and projected No. 1 pick doesn't bring home offensive MVP honors."

Defense: Louis Moore, SAF, Indiana (+1000)

"Since the beginning of the College Football Playoff for the 2014-2015 season, the CFP National Championship defensive MVP has gone to a defensive back in six out of 11 seasons.

That's why it's no surprise that All-American cornerback D'Angelo Ponds is the favorite, especially after his performance in the semifinal against Oregon. However, this award has been shockingly dominated by safeties, with the position accounting for four of the six DBs to take it home. That's why I love betting on Moore, who leads a secondary that's among the CFP National Championship betting X-factors with six interceptions."

📊 Miami vs. Indiana odds: 2026 CFP National Championship

Miami vs. Indiana odds update in real time for the 2026 CFP National Championship.

📺 How to watch Miami vs. Indiana: 2026 CFP National Championship

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

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