The Miami Hurricanes battled tough opponents and hostile environments. Can their playoff resilience overcome the Indiana Hoosiers' easier path in the championship?
The National Championship matchup is set, as the Miami Hurricanes will face the Indiana Hoosiers at home, but are technically the visitors. Both sides have great talented rosters, but they may have the competitive edge in this matchup.
When comparing College Football Playoff paths, there's a drastic difference.
In the first round, the Hurricanes faced a tough SEC program in the Texas A&M Aggies, who led the regular season in total sacks with 41, and finished with an 11-1 record. The game took place at Kyle Field, a hostile environment with the infamous "12th man," and battling difficult outdoor, windy conditions.
The offense struggled, other than handing the ball to junior star running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who finished the game rushing 17 times for 172 yards, which set a new first-round College Football Playoff record. It was an excellent battle that was determined by whose defense could execute better. In the end, it was the Hurricanes who sealed the victory with an endzone interception by freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald. The final score was 10-3, as quarterback Carson Beck completed 14 of 20 passes for 103 yards, recording the only touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, scored by freshman star wide receiver Malachi Toney.
If another opponent put up this offensive performance, the Aggies would've probably won the game and advanced. However, the Hurricanes' defense came through with multiple heroic moments. Cornerback Keionte Scott recorded 10 total tackles, five solos and five assists, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. The edge rushing star duo of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor combined for 10 total tackles, five solos and five assists, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers didn't play in the first round after earning a BYE.
The Hurricanes battled through adversity and would face the reigning champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals. Dethroning what many considered the best team in the nation, with the best rushing defense, would be a great challenge. However, the Hurricanes powered through without any resistance.
In that matchup, Fletcher Jr. and redshirt sophomore running back CharMar Brown rushed 24 times combined for 116 yards, scoring two touchdowns. The Buckeyes allowed 100-plus rushing yards only three times throughout the regular season, but the Hurricanes ran through them. The defense continued be spectacular, especially after Scott scored a pick-six. Bain Jr. and Mesidor combined for eight total tackles, eight solos and two assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks.
However, others stepped up, such as senior linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, who had six total tackles, three solos and three assists, one tackle for loss, including a critical fourth-quarter sack. The Hurricanes won with a final score of 24-14.
Fletcher Jr. and Scott were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game.
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers faced the Alabama Crimson Tide and dismantled them. Quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza completed 14 of 16 passes, 87.5 percent, for 192 yards, throwing for three touchdowns, with five total players scoring. The final score was 38-3. The defense finished with 66 total tackles, 48 solos and 18 assists, three sacks, and five tackles for loss.
The Hurricanes would face another SEC program, the Ole Miss Rebels, in the Fiesta Bowl semifinals. The team didn't only face their opponent, but also themselves after getting penalized 10 times for a loss of 74 yards, including cornerback Xavier Lucas for targeting.
Despite all adversity, including four lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes finished victorious, with a final score of 31-27.
Beck completed 23 of 37 passes, 62.2 percent, 268 yards, recording three touchdowns, including the game-winner. It's his best performance in these College Football Playoffs, which earned him Offensive Player of the Game honors.
Thomas led the team with five total tackles and two passes defended, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors.
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers faced the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl semifinals, who were extremely thin at the running back position due to the transfer portal and injuries. Without an effective run game, quarterback Dan Moore faced more responsibilities than he could handle.
Mendoza completed 17 of 20 passes, 85 percent, for 177 yards, and threw five touchdowns. Granted, the Hoosiers are nearly perfect at execution and don't make a lot of mistakes, but two blowout victories don't guarantee a championship.
The Hurricanes had the more difficult path and overcame every challenge presented. At times, those moments are what help teams reach the next level.
Also, both programs faced a common opponent in the Buckeyes, and the Hurricanes won by a wider margin. If Bain Jr., Mesidor, Bissainthe, and the rest of the defensive line manage to disrupt Mendoza's rhythm, that could be enough to win all of college football.
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