Key Takeaways from a thrilling game – the 2026 Natty

The 2025 College Football season is officially over. It concluded in fitting style with an amazing battle between Indiana and Miami. It wrapped up around 4am in the UK but there was little chance of immediate sleep after such a game. Instead, I mulled over my key takeaways from such a thrilling encounter.  

Game Recap

The pre-game statistics signalled quite a straightforward win for Indiana. However, no one sent Miami the script and they stayed doggedly in this game. Indeed with 51 seconds left of the game they had the ball in their hands to go on and win the game. The biggest lead Indiana could create at any point was 10 points, which given their previous games is a credit to Miami. The game eventually finished 27-10 to Indiana.

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Whilst Miami were playing in their home stadium, it must have been a strange night for the Canes. They were designated the away team and the fan mix looked skewed towards the Hoosiers.

The game itself was a defensive masterclass, with both sides coming up with big plays. Fernando Mendoza managed 16 completions from 27 attempts for 186 yards and no TDs – far below his normal par. Carson Beck completed 19 completions from 32 attempts for 232 yards, scoring 1 TD and making the game ending interception. Neither team found much success rushing with 110 yards for Miami and 131 for Indiana – yards per rush of 5.2 and 2.9 respectively.

The respective defenses caused chaos and numerous errors. Some of which we are not used to seeing from Indiana who have played so clean all season. Indiana even gave away 5 penalties for 38 yards…Coach Cignetti was not happy!

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Coaching is the Key

In an era where NIL and the transfer portal have flattened the talent curve, coaching now becomes the key determinant. Both teams have a coach operating at the top of their game.  Mario Cristobal has worked wonders with the Hurricanes this season, navigating through a mid-season wobble. His team have certainly been shaped in his mould, and he has left a strong imprint on the Canes football programme, since he was appointed in December 2021.

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On the other side of the field stood Curt Cignetti and it is quite possible that books will be written on his current coaching run with the Hoosiers. It has been nothing short of amazing what he has achieved in Indiana over the past 2 seasons. In fact, his team (which only included two 4-star recruits and whose starters had an average rating of 2.5 stars) are 27-2 over two seasons and this year were the first team since the 1800s to record a 16-0 season.

When you add to the mix the job Dan Lanning has done at Oregon who were beaten semi-finalists this year, I can’t help but believe that having an X-factor coach is vital in this day and age.

Era of Big Ten Dominance?

For the third year in a row, a team from the Big Ten won the National Championship. It was Michigan in 2024, Ohio State last year and of course Indiana this year.

Interestingly, half of the semi-final slots over the last three years have also been claimed by the Big Ten (if you include Washington who are now a B1G school but were in the PAC-12 in 2023/4). The list reads:

2024: Michigan (winners-B1G), Washington (B1G), Alabama (SEC), Texas (SEC)

2025: Ohio State(winners-B1G), Notre Dame (IND), Penn State (B1G), Texas (SEC)

2026: Indiana (winners-B1G), Miami (ACC), Oregon (B1G), Ole Miss (SEC)

Does this mean the SEC is consigned to the role of little brother for all eternity? No, football is cyclical and just as the SEC have enjoyed periods of dominance, the Big Ten is enjoying its moment. The SEC still contains some strong schools who will challenge and win a National Championship (in this current format) eventually.

The SEC will want to look at its bowl performance, as it finished with a record of 4-10 this year in post season games. This does not scream the depth that many have insisted on in recent times. There will be some soul searching going on.

All trends are temporary in this modern age, as it only takes one round of the portal to even things up. With so many coaching changes this year, I look forward to seeing how teams shape up this offseason.

The Offseason Awaits…

This season has delivered in so many ways and has been a joy to write about. I am sure there will be lots to talk about off the field as teams reload, and some of the governance items come back to the fore.

I am scheduled to be on the College Football UK podcast this week to review the season. It is always enjoyable catching up with the team at CFB UK and I am looking forward to it.