Indiana’s perfect season was built for the silver screen. The Indians are officially the favorite to win the national title since at least 2001. They defeated the University of Miami 27-21, bringing their legendary journey to a successful conclusion. Their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, has wanted to play for the school since he was a kid growing up not far from campus.
Mendoza fought tooth and nail to score an epic fourth-quarter touchdown, and Indiana capped off the Hurricanes’ potential game-winning run with an interception to seal its first-ever title.
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If a movie chronicled Indiana’s transformation from Big Ten laughing stock to college football royalty, it would likely be a box office hit — that is, if the ratings for Monday night’s championship game are any indication.
Because the thriller at Hard Rock Stadium drew 30.1 million viewers, making it the second-highest-rated College Football Playoff game in the country, according to ESPN PR.
The CFP debuted in the 2014 season. The number of teams increased from four to 12 last season, with Ohio State defeating Notre Dame to win its first championship in 10 years. According to ESPN PR, the game attracted an average of 22.1 million viewers. At the time, ratings were down from the previous season, which had about 25 million viewers in Michigan and Washington state.
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College football’s biggest game is happening this time, and not just because of Indiana’s Hollywood script. Miami has also been on a fascinating journey.
After missing out on the CFP in 2024, the ‘Canes had another 10-win season, sneaking in and making their mark.
As a No. 10 seed, they defeated seventh-seeded Texas A&M, second-seeded Ohio State and sixth-seeded Mississippi State. They entered this game in a battle against the top-seeded Indians, who scored 24 of their 48 points in the fourth quarter.
ESPN’s MegaCast audience peaked at 33.2 million.
According to ESPN PR, the game is now considered the most-watched non-NFL sporting event telecast since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, in which the Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year championship drought.
