Indiana was never going to enjoy a home atmosphere for the national title game on Monday night because it’s supposed to be a neutral-site thing.
But fate got in the way to end the 2025 season as Miami just happened to be the host city for this particular year’s big game, and then the hometown Hurricanes just happened to storm the party as the No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff. The crazy coincidence meant that Miami would be playing the Hoosiers for all the marbles in its home stadium, and that also meant Indiana could be at a disadvantage despite being the favored No. 1 seed that came into the game at 15-0.
Well, save that narrative for another day apparently. Because despite what’s supposed to be a neutral site and despite what could’ve turned into a home-type feel for the Hurricanes since it is their home stadium, Indiana fans brought it on Monday night. According to a social media post by On3’s Chris Low before kickoff on Monday night, it was Hoosiers heaven in those stands in Miami.
“Definitely not going to be a road game here in Miami for Indiana. Looks about 65/35 right now in favor of the Hoosiers,” wrote Low in his post, which included a panoramic view of Hard Rock Stadium with a ton of Indiana red included.
Of course, the game wasn’t in Bloomington either, so let’s not get carried away.
But Low’s point was that what could’ve turned into a Miami home game sort of feel was far from that as the Hoosiers and Hurricanes played for everything.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
