Indiana-Miami draws 30.1 million viewers, goes down as second most-watched CFP national championship
Indiana’s Perfect Season is made for the big screen. The Hoosiers officially became the greatest national champions by far since at least 2001. They put a bow on their fairytale run with a 27-21 victory over Miami, the school their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza wanted to play for when he grew up just steps from its campus.
Mendoza put his body on the line to score an epic touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Indiana sealed its first-ever title with an interception that ended the Hurricanes’ winning potential.
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If a movie is made chronicling Indiana’s rise from Big Ten laughing stock to college football royalty, it could be a box office success — that is, if the viewing figures for Monday night’s title game are any indication.
Because the thriller at Hard Rock Stadium drew 30.1 million viewers and is the second-most watched College Football Playoff national championship, according to ESPN PR.
The CFP debuted during the 2014 season. It grew from four to 12 teams last season, culminating with Ohio State beating Notre Dame for its first title in 10 years. This match averaged 22.1 million viewers, according to ESPN PR. At the time, viewership was down from the previous season, when Michigan and Washington drew about 25 million viewers.
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The biggest game in college football happened this time, and not just because of Indiana’s Hollywood storyline. Miami has also had a fascinating journey.
After missing the CFP in the 2024 campaign, the Canes posted another 10-win season, snuck onto the field and made a run of their own.
As a 10 seed, they beat seventh-seeded Texas A&M, second-seeded Ohio State, and sixth-seeded Ole Miss. And they gave the top-seeded Hoosiers a fight in a game that saw 24 of its 48 total points scored in the fourth quarter.
ESPN’s MegaCast audience peaked at 33.2 million viewers.
According to ESPN PR, the game is now considered the most-watched non-NFL sports broadcast since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, which featured the Chicago Cubs ending their 108-year title drought.
