College Football Live - CFP Semi Finals Fallout

Episode Date: January 12, 2026

Welcome into College Football Live hosted by Zubin Mehenti alongside Roddy Jones, Tom Luginbill, and Pete Thamel. The crew discusses the fallout from the CFP Semi Finals. Also new face in new places. We get caught up on the transfer portal. Lastly we look forward to the championship matchup with Miami and Indiana. All that and more on CFB Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are one week away from the most improbable storyline and the most indelible brand meeting for the college football playoff national championship in by far the most unlikely CFP title game ever. And we are here to count you down on college football live. And with that, we welcome you inside with Tom, with Roddy, with Pete. I'm Zubin. The portal spinning out of control. Pete's going to have the very latest on all the news he broke earlier today and we'll dig into it in just a sense. second, but first, there are two teams left standing for the championship. Let's show you that final step they both took to get there.

Let's start Friday night, the big one. The Chick-fil-A, Peach Bowl, the regular season, week seven rematch between Oregon and Indiana. First play from scrimmage, microcosm of the game. Dante Moore makes a mistake. DeAngelo Pond, the smallest guy on the field with the biggest play early. First time in CFP history, a team scored a touchdown on its first play on defense, It's apropos because Indiana is full of first. More fights right back.

Jamari Johnson give the ducks credit. They weren't going away. We're tied at seven. Mendoza. Omar Cooper Jr. It's 14-7, and from that point, they would never really look back. What's the one thing all of our analysts have said?

You can't make mistakes against Indiana because they don't make any mistakes. And Dante Moore just had a huge mistake there. And then they always cash in on your mistakes. Mendoza. Charlie Becker! What a grab. 287, this thing is over at the half.

More problems. And Dukeway all over him. Smothering defense. That look says it all. And then Mendoza, E.J. Williams Jr., Indiana Rolls, 56, 22. This guy, cleaner during the game or at the podium? It's hard to tell. I think playing a national championship will get anybody fired up

and definitely stir up some emotions. However, for myself, I believe that it's going to be a great game. The Hurricanes are a fantastic team led by a great coach and Coach Cristobal. I think it's really just playing our brand of football, playing the Indiana Hoosiers football. Even though it's the national championship, we don't kind of do anything that's out of character. We just got to play our brand of football, and that's what has led us to this point in 15 wins this season. He makes it sound so easy, if it only just that simple. Fellas, let's talk about it.

Tom, this is something you've been harping on the entire season, and we saw it in its best. form on Friday. Unmistakably, Indiana doesn't make mistakes. And when the other team does, it's a wrap. Yeah, they capitalize when the other team does. And they just put so much pressure on you to constantly feel like you've got to execute at such a high level all the time. You can't take a breath because that's what they do. In order to beat Indiana, you can't count on Indiana making a mistake or screwing it up.

I mean, look at these numbers right here of winning in the margins. How does a team only turn the ball over eight times all year long? I mean, it's unbelievable. The penalties are there, the penalty yards. This is also a team that has only lost one fumble, one fumble the entire season, and it came in the first week of the season, and nobody has ever done that in the history of FBS football. And so not only do they have great players, not only they old and experienced, but they go out on the field, and they are going to.

force you to play to their level. You're exactly right, Tom, and nobody really has been able to this year. I think the thing that you said that really stands out to me is pressure. It is consistent and it is unrelenting. And it comes on third downs consistently, the number one third down team in the country. And that's the down that really takes the soul out of a defense.

You look at that first half. There's six of seven on third downs, including a few third and longs that they're able to convert. And you could just sort of see the wind come out of the Oregon defense. offenses sales, the fact that this Indiana team has not turned the ball over like you mentioned, the fact that they're one of the best teams in the red zone, the fact that they're one of the best teams on third down. And Fernando Mendoza, anytime you give him a small window, he's going to thread it like it is a giant basket that he's throwing a football through a giant hoop. His ball

placement was tremendous in this game. This is a guy that's got more incompletions, excuse me, more touchdowns in the playoff than incompletions through two games against some of the best teams in the country. The pressure that they put on you is unrelenting. And one of the ways they put pressure on you, Roddy, is by simply not making mistakes. Let's look at penalty yards per game. Indiana is number two nationally behind only Army. Quite frankly, I like Army making the least amount of penalties. It's good for America. Indiana's two behind Army, and Miami came in at 84th. Miami had 13 penalties against Florida State. They had 10 the other night against Ole Miss. They had 12 in that loss at S&M.

Miami needs to channel its inner Indiana in order to hang in the game on Monday night. Fascinating. Think about it. When a guy throws for five touchdowns, you're generally at a point where he's throwing for 400 yards. He threw for five touchdowns on 177 yards, which tends to show you how efficient he has been. All right, big quarterback news in the portal. I mentioned it at the top. Pete's going to give us on the intel here. Let me just give you the news that Pete broke a little earlier today. Dylan Ryola, the former Nebraska quarterback, much-valy-hued, five-star, moved all over the place in high school and now in college as well, has committed to Oregon. And you might be saying to yourself, wait a minute, wait a minute. Dante Moore hasn't committed yet to go to the NFL draft. And generally, five stars don't come to sit. Hang on a second. This is interesting.

Pete, take me through the layers here of what's going on with Riola, Oregon, and Moore still hanging in Eugene. Well, let's start with with Ryola. There has been sort of a long courtship here between these two. Oregon didn't move on any portal quarterbacks. Royola didn't take any other visits. So this was a bit fait accompli as the portal dominoes started to fall. Ryola, obviously, five star out of high school,

highly ranked two seasons as a starter at Nebraska, some great moments, some high talent, some, you know, obviously an injury this year cut his season short. His efficiency, quite frankly, wasn't where what it was. Some people have questioned whether he's in good enough shape, etc. So,

So Dan Langing has shown a knack for taking underachievers. Think about Bear Alexander, the defensive lineman, and turning them into overachievers. Ryola hopes to follow that path. Will it be in 26 or 27? We'll find out by January 14th. Yeah. That's when Dante Moore needs to make a decision on whether or not he'll go to the NFL draft.

Talking to sources today yesterday, 50-50, 60-40, those are the types of odds. It is not a done deal, as we've said for the last couple weeks, that Dante Moore is going to the NFL and will show up. in one of those top couple spots as he's been projected. So for Riola, there's an agreement with him essentially going to Oregon. He is willing to do what Dante Moore did, sit if Dante Moore comes back, as Dante Moore did, behind Dylan Gabriel last year. If not, obviously he would roll and be the favorite to start, Dylan Riola would be in 2026 if Dante Moore does decide to go be a New York jet or a Las Vegas Raider. That is some excellent intel there from Pete.

And keep in mind because Ryola played in his first two years in Nebraska, He still has that redshirt year available. It's a small thing, but it's important. Tom, to you, this guy moves all over the place. So what does it surprise anyone that he would be on the move here yet again? It shouldn't. I mean, this goes all the way back to his freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year in high school. He was a long time Georgia commit before he ended up flipping and signing with Nebraska.

As Pete just outlined with great detail, some of the performances there. and the fact that he played two years, but I just don't know how much you trust all of it. I mean, when you look at the background here of not being able to commit and sustain and to grow and develop with

maybe the same coaching staff, the same offensive scheme, there always seems to be some other spot. There always seems to be some greener grass. Now, if Pete is correct in his reporting that he is willing to pull Adonte more, this may be the most mature.

move that Dylan Rayola will have made so far in his young quarterback career because if you look at having the ability to redshirt and sit and watch and learn and know that going forward, you're likely going to have elite level players around you, certainly better overall than you had in Nebraska. Now you're a little older, you're a little bit more mature. You've seen it from a different perspective. And then you jump in and now you still got two years of eligibility left. that sounds like a recipe for success.

If Dante decides to declare for the NFL draft, you know I have two years of a starting sample size to put forth to Oregon and be their guy in 2026. Luke, you're a Marvel fan. It seems like Dante Riala, or excuse me, Dylan Ryola is like Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet and he's collecting the stones in there except for the school instead of the Infinity Stones.

That is quite the laundry list there, man. There's the thing. Oregon's got a great. track record in rehabbing quarterbacks with somewhat checkered pass. I mean, Bo Nix was up and down at Auburn. He goes to Oregon. His phenomenal year is a first round pick.

Mentioned Dylan Gabriel, who had the best year of his career at Oregon. You look at Dante Moore, who was at UCLA, came and sat a year behind Dylan Gabriel. And again, has had the best year of his career and may lead to him being a first round pick either this year or next year.

Dylan Ryola's got the same amount of talent as Dante Moore does. So they're hoping without Will Stein to get the same amount of development. It'll be fascinating to see what happens long term or short term when we have the answer as Pete has circled that January 14th deadline. All right, Pete, a lot of other big stories here in the portal today with a decided SEC bent. Let's start with a couple of big moves from Texas and take us through the rest.

Well, Zubin, Texas had been quiet in the portal until it got really loud yesterday. Within an hour, they had back-to-back commitments from the top receiver and running back in the portal. That starts with Cam Coleman, just a dynamic receiver who showed the ability to be an acrobat while catching the ball at Auburn. Coleman was being pursued by all the top schools. Texas Tech made a big run. He took a visit to Alabama. He ended up with Texas and he'll be Arch Manning's top target and Arch 11 nice NC State transferred a handoff to a Hollywood smothers top tailback in the portal. As for Old Miss, they're going to roll with Deuce Knight. Knight is a former top quarterback recruit, Mississippi native, been committed to Notre Dame,

spent last year at Auburn, started a game, and he has declared that he is going to transfer to Ole Miss. We still don't know what's going to happen with Trinidad Chandles. We'll get more to that later. But what a nice security blanket for Ole Miss to have a top talent like Deuce Knight in the full. And then finally, Sam Levitt, I've been told by sources, is expected to sign with LSU today. Levitt had obviously bounced around on the visit circuit during this portal cycle. He started at Kentucky, visited Tennessee, visited Miami, obviously went to LSU. Lane Kiffin is on the cusp of signing. One of the top quarterbacks in the portal, obviously led ASU to the CFP in 2024.

And Leavitt battled some injuries and is coming off a foot injury that will impact him somewhat this spring. But it's a big centerpiece for Lane Kiffin moving forward in Baton Rouge. It's an absolute hole they had to fill. You mentioned the LISFranc injury that took place in October. We're waiting to see how healthy Hill. be, but he's got a new landing spot, Pete. Thanks. On the way here on college football live, welcome to Miami. Welcome to the championship game to the Keynes, an early first look at next Monday night.

And the one thing in the Fiesta Bowl that changed for Carson Beck, that has changed his legacy, and that of the Keynes. The answer to that next. We're back on college football live. We showed you how Indiana got there. Let's show you how Miami got there. Thursday, Verbo Fiesta Bowl. Five minutes to go.

Beck, Malachi, Tony. Just a reminder when you're watching this guy, he's 18 years old. This guy is 18 years old. It's 2419 Cains. But if it's the fourth quarter in a CFP game, you better watch out for Chambliss. The Dayquan writes, Ole Miss has got the lead after the two-point try.

Miami, the next time they have it. Beck, Keel and Marion, Beck's experience in just being cool and calm was so big in an intangible way. And who knew Beck had these types of wheels taking off in one of the most consequential touchdowns that Keynes have scored in 25 years. But don't count out Ole Miss. Chamblis, stribling. They're going to have one shot at the end zone.

And in Lafette County, Mississippi, they're still waiting for the flag. Look at this thing. This thing is thrown up. There's a lot of contact here. I guess the call was let him play. Miami. Boy, there's a lot of contact there. wins 31 27.

Mario's got a comment for the legion of skeptics that still remain. Whoever counted us out, they're never part of the equation. They never will be as long as I'm fortunate enough to be the head coach in Miami. The outside's up in the noise will never be. The guys inside made a decision. They were kind of coming to work every single day and find a way to bring great energy, great enthusiasm, and be one and O. That's the best feeling I've ever had in my life. Man, I'm so proud of this team.

We never flinched. I mean, in the face of adversity, when we had to respond, we responded. I told him, we got three minutes for the rest of our life, bro. Those things matter, sorry. I mean, the cuss, emotions are rolling, but nothing else matters. We got three minutes to go through this, man. I mean, everything we've worked for since January, everything we've been through. All the adversity that we faced all comes down to three minutes in the semifinals.

Shoot, we're able to drive it down and finish it. You could just hear it and feel it in his voice. A reminder that Carson Beck was 24 and 3 in Georgia. And maybe a reminder, we should have focused on the 24 wins instead of always harping on the three losses. Roddy, I want to start with you. We talked in the first segment. Indiana just doesn't make any mistakes, and that's how they win. But here's the thing.

Miami has made mistakes all season long. But they, on the biggest stage, overcame all their mistakes. Yeah, Zubin, this game was a microcosm of the season for my own. Miami. You look at those two games in the middle against Louisville where Carson Beck throws four interceptions, the SMU game, Carson Beck, two interceptions. They committed 12 penalties in that game before they lose an overtime. That was like this game, 10 penalties for 74 yards in the game. They had four interceptions that they dropped defensively, and they had the time of possession swung heavily in their favor, weren't always able to get points. They had the ball for 12 minutes

in the first quarter and ended up with three points, but they were able to overcome. That third and ten that we showed to Keel and Marion. That was a play that didn't really show up until C.J. Daniels injury. And then Keel and Marion steps in, and he and Carson Beck form that chemistry that allows in the biggest moments for this completion.

So this is a Miami team that's been incredibly resilient. Miami team that feels like it's learned from its mistakes. And despite all the things, including some play calls, we were all scratching our head, they were able to get the job done

when it ultimately counted the most. Shoot, Roddy. I was losing back of how many interceptions. they dropped. I mean, it was, you're sitting there looking at these opportunities over and over again there for Miami. And I think the one important point here is that, yes, they've had issues where at times maybe they've been penalized. They had the two games skid there where they had six turnovers, both ironically losses. But they are so physically talented and they are so physical at the point of attack that they're able to overcome those things and get into a second half or

fourth quarter game with opponents. And when they have, look at the Texas A&M game, you look at the Ohio State game, and this past game against Old Miss. When they get you into the fourth quarter, you better buckle your chin strap because they wear you down so significantly. They impose their will and they get you to wilt. I mean, you look at this team on offense on third down against Old Miss. They were 11 of 19.

That is a staggering number. And the average yards on third down, they were getting a six, six and a half, six point six. So they put themselves in a position because they're so talented to be able to overcome maybe some deficiencies in some mistakes. The question is we've talked about earlier against a team like Indiana who's not going to let you get away with that, you better be more flawless and you better meet their efficiency. Well, Lug's, I called some scouts today to try to quantify that talent advantage that everyone thinks might. Miami brings into this game. A good gauge, it's a barometer. It's not completely accurate, but a good gauge of programs is how many players scouts think will get drafted. Talk to a scout who went through both places this year. The number for Indiana is somewhere around six,

whereas the Miami number is around 10. Now, there's guys like Mark Fletcher who are coming back, who would be drafted, so it's never quite the most precise metric. But generally speaking, Miami has more talent. What to make of Carson Beck from the NFL, called a few people about that today as well. He's expected to be somewhere late day two, early day three in this draft. One scout did predict to me, though, that Beck's late surge here could really end up helping him. He could really end up as the third quarterback taken in this draft. But we have to think of this draft as similar to the 2022 draft.

That's when Kenny Pickett went 20th. Obviously, Fernando Mendoza is likely to go first in this one. But we didn't see the second and third quarterbacks go off the board until Desmond Ritter at 74 and Malik Willis at 76 in that draft. That's probably a fair range right now for Carson Beck, but he does have one more crucial data point on Monday night. Yeah, and that could certainly boost his stock just a little bit walking off the field, the national champion. On the way here on College Football Live, there's one thing that both of these teams have an abundant supply. It's an intangible. You won't find anywhere in the box score.

So what is it? We'll tell you. We're back on College Football Live. You can watch the championship game on ESPN. Listen to it on ESPN. over ESPN.com and the return of the coach's film room on ESPNU to watch the game with the experts. So many ways to watch and listen. The college football playoff national championship trophy presented by Dr. Pepper.

That's what they're all playing for. At the home of the canes, the winner takes that bad boy home, which might be down the street to Coral Gables, or it might be sitting in an empty shelf somewhere in Bloomington. All right, I mentioned before the break. There is one thing both of these two teams have in common. Tom, that word is physicality. It really is. And I've said this to you before on the ACC network.

You better get a note from your mother to play in this game, guys. I mean, this is one of those matchups where the chintstraps better be buckled. The ear pads better be locked in tight. And you're going to have to withstand the battle of attrition for really 60 minutes of knocking heads and seeing who can bend somebody. somebody's will. That's what this whole thing's all about. And both of these teams have shown a distinct amount of toughness, physicality, perseverance, resilience. They've also got talent and depth. And you can't get here without it. Guess what? Can't get out here without a little

luck too. So let's see where the ball bounces. But we know one thing. You better be ready to roll up front in this one. Yes, absolutely. I mean, this is going to be one in the trenches. And Lug's, it feels to me a little bit like two games that we've seen in recent memory. It feels a little bit like that 2019 LSU team, the way this Indiana team feels almost inevitable. It also, to me, feels like that 2007 Patriots team that played the Giants and that excellent Giants' defensive line gave the Patriots so much trouble that the miraculous help the Giants win the game, that Miami defensive line. I'm not saying they're what the Giants had, but it is good enough to give Indiana some trouble. So could they get a result like the Giants and not like Clemson? How about that?

There is a giant question here, Pete, for you. And of course, for both fan bases, get us up to date on any of the injury concerns we need to know one week out. The area of focus one week out, Zubin, is going to be Miami's secondary. What we know, Xavier Lucas, the rotation corner, will miss the first half of this game because of a targeting penalty in the prior game. Damari Brown, another rotation corner, did not play for Miami against Ole Miss. And then another corner, OJ. Frédéric played only six snaps. He had been taken off the injury report early in the week. That clearly didn't go well for him.

So look for Miami to need to get healthy quickly at corner in order to keep up with those Hoosier receivers. Here's what it comes down to in a week. We've been playing college football for more than 150 years. Are we about to have one of the greatest stories the sport has ever seen? Or in a sport that doesn't have any parity is the last team in at large? going to be the last team standing. We're going to be with you all week long here on college football live to discuss just that. We'll see you tomorrow.