Miami Faces Indiana Without Star Tight End in High-Stakes CFB Title Clash—Can They Overcome the Setback?

So here we are—Miami Hurricanes, poised on the brink of glory, only to get hit with the kind of news that makes you wince just days before the College Football Playoff National Championship. Elija Lofton, their top tight end and a key cog in the passing game, is out. Yep, no Lofton to haul in those crucial catches against the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers on January 19, 2026. It’s like losing your ace in the final inning… How does a team recalibrate when a reliable target who’s fourth on the squad in catches is suddenly benched? Now, Coach Mario Cristobal’s gotta shuffle the deck, leaning on Alex Bauman and others, even as they’re stretched thin with several other key players sidelined. Miami’s journey from a 5–0 start, midseason bumps, to stunning wins over Ohio State and Ole Miss reads like a script, but can they script their way around this new hurdle to snag a title that’s eluded them since 2001? Man, if resilience was a sport, these Hurricanes would be champions already. LEARN MORE

The Miami Hurricanes face a critical setback just days before the biggest game of their season. Miami football will be without starting tight end Elija Lofton for the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Indiana Hoosiers on Monday, January 19, 2026. Lofton was officially listed as out on the latest injury report. That removes a reliable target from the Hurricanes’ passing attack at the worst possible time. He led Miami’s tight end group this season with 23 receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns. He also ranked fourth on the team in total catches.

With Lofton sidelined, head coach Mario Cristobal is expected to lean more heavily on redshirt senior Alex Bauman. The latter has posted 17 catches for 144 yards and one score this year. Miami will also be without linebacker Malik Bryant, wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw, and defensive lineman Donta Simpson. That further stretches the Hurricanes’ depth as they prepare to face an undefeated, top-seeded Indiana squad.

Miami’s presence in the national title game caps a remarkable 2025 season. The Hurricanes finished 13–2. They earned their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in the expanded 12-team format. After opening the year 5–0 and climbing to No. 2 nationally, Miami weathered midseason losses to Louisville and SMU before surging in the postseason.

That surge included a defensive slugfest win over Texas A&M. They also booked a statement upset of defending champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Most recently, they had a dramatic 31–27 Fiesta Bowl semifinal victory over Ole Miss. Now, short-handed but battle-tested, Miami looks to overcome one more obstacle in pursuit of its first national championship since 2001.

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