Some may not consider Miami “back” until The U captures another national championship, a drought that has lasted since 2001 and has featured a number of promising seasons come crashing down before true title contention. Whether or not the Hurricanes are officially back, no one can accuse the 2025–26 team of being fraudulent, after it took No. 1 Indiana to the brink in Monday’s national championship.
Dealing with a surprisingly hostile crowd in their own home arena, Hard Rock Stadium, the Canes kept pace with Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and the top-ranked Hoosiers all night, ultimately falling to 27–21 to a Hoosiers team that had previously crushed Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff. It was a gutsy effort that fell just short, as quarterback Carson Beck was intercepted deep in Hoosiers territory with under a minute left in the game.
