Intro
The Indiana Hoosiers are 15-0 and have answered every question so far this season and they will have one final test against Carson Beck and Miami. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza led his team to a 38-3 win against Alabama then a 56-22 romping of Oregon in their semifinal. Miami’s games have been much closer, upsetting Texas A&M and Ohio State before a thriller versus Ole Miss. The game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL the location of Miami’s home games so they will have a home field advantage.
Mendoza vs the Miami Defense
Both these teams have quality players all over the field, but the primary strength of Indiana is their Heisman winning QB Mendoza who will face an elite Hurricanes pass rush. Mendoza has 8 TD’s so far in these playoffs and just 5 incompletions handling the pressure flawlessly. Miami is led by the edge duo of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor both of which are projected 1st rounders. The pair has combined for 19 sacks this year including 7.5 in the CFP. DB Keionte Scott has also been a playmaker defensively, tally 2 sacks and a forced fumble against Texas A&M as well as a 72 yard pick 6 against Ohio State. Indiana has only allowed 22 sacks all year, but if Miami wants to win they’ll have to pressure Mendoza early and often.
Which Carson Beck Will Show Up?
Miami QB Carson Beck didn’t do much against Texas A&M and Ohio State as head coach Mario Cristobal opted to rely on Mark Fletcher and the run game. In their last game versus Ole Miss Beck had to do more and he did, throwing for 268 yards with 2 TD’s as well as a game winning rushing TD in the final seconds. Beck will face one of the best defenses in the country which has held opponents to just 260.9 ypg 4th best in the nation. Beck, a 6th year senior with tons of experience will have to play one of his best games of his career against the Hoosiers.
Indiana’s WR Corp
Indiana has a ridiculous trio of recievers in Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper Jr, and Charlie Becker who have all come up huge at different points this season. Sarratt leads the country with 15 TD receptions and caught 2 scores against Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Cooper Jr leads the team with 64 catches for 866 yards to go along with 13 TD’s and has been the team’s most consistent performer. Becker has emerged of late from out of nowhere and standing at 6’4″ has been Indana’s best deep threat down the stretch. As mentioned above Miami has a defensive unit with serious NFL talent and has held opponents to just 14 ppg this year. Mendoza will need his trio of WR’s to step up just as they have all season to complete their story.
Predictions
Indiana has been consistently dominant all season and the oddsmakers have noticed as they are nearly 10 point favorites leading up to this game. While it is impossible for me to envision Indiana losing I do think Miami is a better team than the bookies are giving them credit for. The Hurricanes have only lost 1 game over the past 2 and half years by more than 7 points so I’ll take Carson Beck and company to cover the spread as 9.5 point underdogs in this national title game. I’m also going to target Beck to get over 18.5 completions in this one as I think he’ll be throwing the ball a lot whether they win or lose. Finally, I think this game will be a grind it out defensive game so I’m taking the point total to go under as well.
The Bookie of Eli 
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