For the second straight year, the 12-team College Football Playoff has at least one team in the championship game that played on the opening weekend in December. This year, it’s the 10-seeded Miami Hurricanes, who will play top-seeded Indiana on Monday night.
Yes, it is surprising to say the least that the Hurricanes are here. In fact, they were close to not even being in the CFP field. It came down to them, and Notre Dame and their season-opening win over the Irish ended up being the difference. Make no mistake about it, Miami has earned the right to be playing for a title after wins at Texas A&M, in the Cotton Bowl over Ohio State, and in the Fiesta Bowl over Ole Miss.
Now, after traveling for their first three games, they get the championship game inside their home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium. It was a predetermined site years ago. It just so happens it worked out this way. Ahead of the game, one former Miami legend sent a message to the current Hurricanes about pulling off a major upset over the Hoosiers.
Michael Irvin Sends a Message to Miami About Winning at Home
Miami’s legendary wide receiver Michael Irvin spoke about the upcoming National Championship Game. Indiana comes into the game as an 8.5 favorite over the Hurricanes, according to DraftKings. Irvin doesn’t care about the spread.
“Listen — Indiana’s been told they’re the greatest of all time. They’re eight-point favorites right now. You make this a dirty-ass game,” said Irvin. “We’ve been in fights all the way through, so we’re used to a brawl. We’re used to a dirty-ass game. They’ve been blowing everybody out. So if this game gets late and it’s close, they’re going to start tightening up — and we’re used to it. That’s all it is, because we’ve been fighting like this all year.”
Indiana has breezed through their first two games in the CFP. They blew out Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day in the Quarterfinals, 38-3, then steamrolled Oregon in a Semifinal in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, 56-22. If Miami makes it close down the stretch, Irvin could be right, and it works in their favor.
“Make it a dirty game. Make sure they know they played a team today,” Irvin said.
Michael Irvin Sends Message to 2025 Miami Hurricanes
Miami faces a unique situation. They get to play for a National Championship just miles from their campus. The tickets have been pre-distributed, and Indiana has a huge following. However, Irvin sent a message to this current group of Hurricanes about defending their home turf.
“And understand this — this is your home. You never let anyone come into your home, especially in a championship game, and beat you,” said Irvin.
Miami has taken advantage of the opportunity the CFP committee gave it to get into the field and run with it. Now, they are just 60 minutes away from a National Championship, and they can win it in their own backyard. However, they have an opportunity to pull off a major upset, and who would bet against them right now?
Miami Legend Michael Irvin Sends Message on Indiana Ahead of Championship Game