MIAMI — The Post breaks down Monday night’s national championship game between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.
When Indiana has the ball:
Indiana can beat you on the ground and through the air. The Hoosiers have the Heisman Trophy winner and almost certain No. 1 pick in the draft in quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but what makes this offense so dangerous is its unpredictability. They have a stellar 1-2 running back duo in Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, and five receivers who caught at least 30 balls for 370 yards. The Hurricanes get after the quarterback — their 47 sacks led the nation — and the duo of Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are elite at getting home, combining for 19 sacks. Indiana, though, is stout up front — the Hoosiers were a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line — and Mendoza gets the ball out fast.
Edge: Indiana
When Miami has the ball:
The Indiana offense has been so dynamic and consistent, the defense has gone overlooked. That shouldn’t be the case. The Hoosiers are incredibly good on that side of the ball. They are ranked second in points allowed, second against the run and 23rd against the pass. This unit shut down Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon in its last three games, and produced 29 takeaways, third most in the nation. It will be fascinating to see if Miami and star back Mark Fletcher Jr. (395 yards on the ground in three playoff games) can run the ball against the Hoosiers. The Hurricanes offense can be hit or miss. Quarterback Carson Beck and Co. have turned it on of late, putting up strong numbers against Ohio State and Ole Miss.
