- CFP national championship: Indiana vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m., Monday; TV: ESPN
- Indiana is an 8.5-point favorite against Miami tonight.
After blowout wins over Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals and semifinals, Indiana enters tonight’s national championship game as 8.5-point favorites against Miami.
It’s a healthy spread with a title on the line.
On Monday’s ‘First Take’ on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith said, “I’m very, very worried about this national championship game. I want a competitive matchup. I don’t want to see a blowout. I don’t want to see what Indiana did to Alabama. I don’t want to see what Indiana did to Oregon.”
2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow responded: “I don’t think we’ll see that.”
Smith then asked Tebow, “What is it about Miami that should make us believe we’re not going to see them look like Alabama or Oregon looked against Indiana?
“Offensive and defensive line. Carson Beck has handled the situation, the way he plays,’ Tebow answered. ‘So many times we say about quarterbacks that, ‘Oh, he’s managing the game. He’s making smart decisions,’ as if it’s a bad thing. It is not a bad thing. He knows that this team goes through its offensive and defensive lines and Mark Fletcher, their running back. But when it’s put on him, like it was in the fourth quarter (vs. Ole Miss), then he can step up and make plays. He understands that. He started over 40 games. He’s a veteran.
‘I don’t see this game being a blowout. I see this game being extremely physical because I think it’s the best offensive and defensive line for Miami that Indiana has faced all year.”
When does national championship game start? Indiana vs Miami kickoff time tonight
- Date: Monday, Jan. 19
- Time: 7:50 p.m. ET
The actual kickoff time for the College Football Playoff national championship game between Indiana and Miami is 7:50 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 19.
The start time is listed at 7:30 p.m. ET, but as college football fans know all too well for high-profile television games, that listed time simply marks the start of ESPN’s broadcast. The game itself won’t begin until 20 minutes into that window.
National championship TV channel tonight
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app ∣ Fubo (free trial)
The College Football Playoff championship game between Indiana and Miami is airing on ESPN. Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) are calling the game while Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath are serving as sideline reporters.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
