The first semifinal is a rematch loaded with emotion. Earlier this season, Indiana marched into Autzen Stadium and stunned Oregon 30–20, a result documented across ESPN, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, The Oregonian, and the Indianapolis Star. The Hoosiers snapped Oregon’s 18‑game home winning streak and held quarterback Dante Moore under 200 total yards while forcing two turnovers. Indiana’s star quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards and a touchdown in that victory.
Now, Dan Lanning and Curt Cignetti prepare for a war with a national championship berth at stake. Oregon enters the semifinal after a dominant 23–0 shutout of Texas Tech, while Indiana arrives undefeated at 14–0 after dismantling Alabama 38–3 in the Rose Bowl. The winner heads to Miami with everything on the line.
Miami’s Rise: Cristobal’s Blueprint Finally Arrives
In the other semifinal, Mario Cristobal has engineered the most complete Miami team in two decades. The No. 10 seed Hurricanes have muscled their way into the CFP Playoff behind a punishing defense and a clock‑draining, power‑run offense, as detailed by the Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, ESPN, and CBS Sports.
Quarterback Carson Beck has thrived behind a physical offensive line, using play‑action to attack defenses while Miami’s front seven — led by standout linemen and a deep linebacker rotation — has become one of the most feared units in the nation. This is the Miami Cristobal always envisioned: violent, disciplined, and built from the trenches outward.
Ole Miss Without Kiffin: A Team Playing Angry
Miami now faces an Ole Miss team that has every reason to be furious — and dangerous. After Lane Kiffin bolted for LSU, defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over and has guided the Rebels to the CFP playoff semifinals. Their defining moment came in a wild upset of Georgia, capped by a last‑second field goal that stunned the Bulldogs and electrified Oxford, as covered by ESPN, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and Mississippi outlets.
Ole Miss still boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and Golding’s defense has tightened at the perfect time. This is a team playing with a chip the size of the SEC on its shoulder.
A Final Four Built for Drama
Revenge. Abandonment. Resurrection. Physicality. Legacy. This CFP Final Four has everything.
A Big Ten rematch between Oregon and No. 1 Indiana for a spot in the title game. A Miami team reborn under Cristobal facing an Ole Miss squad left behind by its coach but refusing to fold.
For college football fans, it doesn’t get better. This is a wide‑open brawl for a national championship — and every team believes it’s their moment.
