Who will win the National Championship? Providence College Investigates: CFB

by Greg Lahr ’26 and Flagg Taylor ’27 on January 22, 2026

Sports

UMiami

Not too long ago, the University of Miami Hurricanes looked straight down the barrel of their season when they were 7.5 point underdogs against Ohio State University, who were looking to repeat as National Champions.

Nobody believed in them, and many were questioning how they even made the College Football Playoffs over the University of Notre Dame. Now, they will compete for their first national championship since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, where they fell to Ohio State.

They face an Indiana University team that has steamrolled its way through the playoffs, is an 8.5-point favorite, and has everyone behind them as the Cinderella story of college football. They will need all hands on deck to try to cement themselves in history as the first team to win the national championship at their home stadium.

Miami will have to win this game in the trenches and take care of the football, two things the University of Alabama and the University of Oregon could not do against the national champ favorites. If Miami can do those two things, they just may find themselves in a one-possession game with a few minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

Defensive ends; that is how Miami will be able to control the line of scrimmage and limit Indiana’s lethal ground attack. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Meisdor, two possible first-round draft picks in the coming NFL draft, can flip the script upside down. Having one of them, let alone two, can drastically affect the outcome of the game. They will need both to get after Fernando Mendoza and bring him to the ground to be successful.

Miami also has Carson Beck. He’s been in this position before and knows how to handle pressure when the lights are bright. With the combination of standout wide receiver Malachi Toney, power running back Mark Fletcher, and veteran college quarterback Beck, the Miami offense can find multiple ways to get the ball in the end zone against a stout Indiana defense.

If Miami can limit the turnovers, keep the ball out of Mendoza’s hand, and limit Indiana’s time of possession, this game will be much closer than people think. Indiana does not want to be in a shootout with Miami’s defense, especially with a close game in the closing minutes. As head coach Mario Cristobal preaches after every game, Miami needs to go 1–0 one more time to find themselves at the top of the college football mountain.
– Greg Lahr ’26
Sports Staff

IU

On Monday, Jan. 19, the Indiana University Hoosiers will take on the University of Miami Hurricanes for the College Football National Championship title. I believe the Indiana Hoosiers will emphatically win the first championship in school history. Led by head coach Curt Cignetti and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers will cap off their historic season with the biggest prize possible: the College Football National title.

Perhaps the biggest story surrounding this Indiana squad is their historic program turnaround, led by Cignetti. When Cignetti was asked about his plans to turn around the program and culture, he responded “It’s pretty simple. I win. Google me.” He took James Madison University to an 8–3 record in his first year coaching. The following ’23–’24 season, the JMU Dukes had a record of 11–1 reaching No. 18 in the AP Poll at one point. That same season, the Indiana Hoosiers finished with a 3–9 record and in last place of the Big 10. Next season, Indiana would hire Cignetti as their new head coach, and in his first season (’24–’25) Cignetti led them to a 11–2 record, their only losses coming to No. 1 ranked Ohio State and No. 10 ranked Notre Dame in the first round of the playoffs. This season, Indiana has a record of 15–0, a Big 10 championship title, and the national championship seems completely inevitable. Cignetti wins.

This season, Indiana has defeated five top 10 ranked opponents by a combined 135 points, a truly insane stat. In their Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl wins against Alabama and Oregon, the two preceding playoff games to their matchup against Miami, the Hoosiers won by 69 points total. The story of this team has been dominance since day one. I see no reason this squad won’t continue this pattern in their final game of the season.

Indiana is led by the Heisman winner, Mendoza, the school’s star quarterback. Mendoza has had an amazing season leading his squad on and off the field with fantastic play and work in the community. He’s a very easy guy to root for. This season, Mendoza has completed five games where he had more touchdowns than incompletions recorded in the game. No other quarterback in the 2000s has completed this feat more than twice in one season. Last game against Oregon, Mendoza had five passing touchdowns, a completion percentage of 85 percent and rushed for more than 25 yards.

The Indiana Hoosiers have all the momentum and the nation rooting for this underdog story. Cignetti wins and Mendoza is a fantastic leader and player. I believe the Hoosiers will make history behind a great game from Mendoza and his teammates, and the genius coaching of Cignetti and his staff.
– Flagg Taylor ’27
Sports Staff

Lane Kiffin Shocks Ole Miss Fans

by Andrew Vines ’29 on December 11, 2025

College Football

In the midst of the college football playoff hunt, fans of the University of Mississippi were more focused on what was going on off the field than the team playing in the Egg Bowl on Friday, Nov. 28. If Ole Miss beat their rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl they would secure a college football playoff spot, but the fans and the sports world were more focused on the uncertainty of Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s future. Their win in the Egg Bowl was followed by a Saturday of fans waiting for an answer as Kiffin met with university administrators all day and left fans with no answer until Sunday.

After slow starts to the season, both Louisiana State University and the University of Florida fired their coaches, Brian Kelly and Billy Napier, respectively. Both of these programs are historic Southeastern Conference (SEC) brands that are considered better jobs than fellow SEC program Ole Miss, due to their histories and ability to recruit high-level talent. However, in Kiffin’s situation, many thought it would be better for him to stay at Ole Miss. Although LSU and Florida have big reputations, the jobs also come with high expectations and a short leash. During his six seasons in Oxford, Kiffin and the Rebels had a record of 55–19 and had the opportunity to build a program that competed for a national title annually. At his current trajectory, he likely would’ve ended up being the best coach in Ole Miss history and could’ve had a statue built for him. Kiffin would have had all this at an SEC program with a longer leash than LSU or Florida.

There was a lot of speculation about whether Kiffin would leave or not. LSU offered him over $90 million for seven years. Ole Miss reportedly said they would match this contract, but LSU also promised over $20 million a year towards Kiffin’s roster. In the new age of college sports, additional Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money can go a long way.

Leaving a team like this is nothing new for Kiffin, who left the University of Tennessee in 2010 after one season for a job at the University of Southern California. This caused an uproar in Knoxville, and when he returned as the Ole Miss head coach years later, fans threw an array of items on the field, including a golf ball and a mustard bottle. His return to Oxford should be more eventful given the time and manner in which he left.

After Kiffin’s decision to leave, there was a question of whether or not he would be able to coach in the college football playoff for Ole Miss. Ole Miss’ administration did not want Kiffin to coach, even though Kiffin was fighting for the chance to. Instead, they made their defensive coordinator, Pete Golding, their full-time head coach. Kiffin told his staff that if they wanted a job at LSU with him, they had to get on one of the two planes LSU had sent, or there would be no job for them. One plane went back to Baton Rouge empty as most of the staff opted to stay with Golding and the Rebels and enjoy an increase in salary and a chance to win a national title. The fans have rallied behind Golding and his squad and are ready for the playoffs.

PCI:Should There Be College Football This Fall?

by The Cowl Editor on September 3, 2020

Uncategorized

Yes, It Will Be Safe!

by Jack Belanger ’21

Sports Co-Editor

After colleges across the country canceled the end of their winter and spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many senior athletes missed out on what would have been their final season of collegiate competitive sports. Basketball players who were on their way to play in March Madness lost their last chance to win a national title; spring athletes lost the chance to celebrate their final home game. It was difficult for many athletes to face the cancellation of their season after putting in countless hours of work. The NCAA should not put the same burden on football players and allow them to play this fall.

College football is the most profitable sport at many universities and many schools need the revenue in order to pay for athletic scholarships. Even though stadiums would not be able to sell out their seating to fans, schools could still make money from broadcasting their games and fulfilling their TV deals. The pandemic has already tightened athletic department budgets across the country and many schools have had to cut sports that do not generate any revenue. By having football games this fall, universities would be able to help fund other sports that may have had their season canceled and support other athletes.

While there may be safety concerns about having players travel and face teams from other schools, teams have been testing their players on a consistent basis and the NCAA has laid out a plan for teams to follow in order to proceed with the season. If the athletes are truly committed to playing out their final collegiate season, then they would have to follow the rules laid out for them to avoid any unnecessary risks that could ruin the season. By participating in regular practices and games, players would create a bubble for themselves since they would essentially be interacting with the same people on a daily basis.

Playing out the season is just as important for underclassmen as it is for seniors. For the players who are eligible for the next NFL draft, playing games is really the only way for them to get noticed by NFL teams and have a chance to continue their careers at the next level. Without a season, NFL teams could only judge players based on their performances from last season and the draft combine, neither of which can solely represent a player’s abilities accurately.

There are multiple parties who would benefit from having a college football season for a variety of reasons. Not only do players want to compete in the sport they put so much work into, especially the seniors who may be playing their final season, but the athletics directors want to bring in any revenue they can to make up for the lost profits from the cancellation of March Madness and spring sports. Yes, there may be some risk involved, but with the proper rules put in place, college football teams should be able to play out their seasons safely.

No, It Is Irresponsible.

by Liam Tormey ’22

Sports Staff

In times such as these, it seems almost insensitive to believe the upcoming college football season should occur. The threat of COVID-19 is real, both to college campuses and the surrounding communities. College football should not happen this year for the safety of all.

To begin, one should look at the fact that many other college sports will not be competing for the remainder of the calendar year. Universities are going to be missing out on the likes of soccer, volleyball, cross country, and field hockey this semester. To give football the chance to play while other sports will not be given that same chance seems rather unfair.

Many of the other canceled sports are hoping to play in the spring semester, which begs the question: why are some schools in such a rush to be playing football at this moment? Athletic directors will say that postponing this football season to the spring, just a couple of months before next season’s restart, will not work. That may be true, but we find ourselves in a time when no one should be taking massive risks that can put people in danger, no matter how inconvenient it is.

College football, with a few exceptions, is currently set to be played across the country in one way or another this fall. The two major exceptions to this trend are the Big Ten and the Pac-12 conferences. Despite holding some of the most well-known college football teams in the country, these conferences have decided to suspend their seasons. Although they have received backlash, it is the right decision. The country has come a long way since the beginning of the pandemic, and any further setbacks should be avoided at all costs. The sheer number of players on a given football team should be reason enough for no college football this year.

A lot has been sacrificed to maintain some semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy. Some universities have already shifted to online learning. owever, these same schools want to be playing football soon. This is not only selfish, but a clear money grab. Essential workers have worked so hard to keep this country afloat. Can we really say that young college football players are essential workers right now? Maybe they could be considered as such for the universities where these players are generating millions of dollars, but not for a country that needs everyone to continue to make smart and safe choices.

Providence College Investigates

by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018

Sports

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide will win the College Football Championship

By Thomas Zinzarella ’21

Sports Staff

alabama college football championships — Photo Courtesy of Kevin Cox/Getty Images

With the college football season nearly over, all eyes will turn towards the four-team College Football Playoff which boasts no. 1 University of Alabama Crimson Tide, no. 2 Clemson University Tigers, no. 3 University of Notre Dame, and no. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners. My pick to win this year’s playoffs is the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Why Alabama? The Crimson Tide has been one of the best college teams for the past decade, winning the College Football Playoffs last year. Alabama also has one of the best coaches in the country, Nick Saban, who owns a 5-2 overall CFP record. Alabama will square off against the No. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners, a team that has been hyped around QB Kyler Murray and deservingly so. Murray, this past June, was drafted into the MLB by the Oakland A’s with the ninth overall selection in the first round.

Murray has carried his skills from the diamond to the gridiron with his elusive quickness and power of arm that she has shown as a centerfielder. Murray is the projected winner of the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best College Football Player every year.

The opening game against the Sooners should be a great test for Alabama. There may not be a better coach in the offensive game than Lincoln Riley. The Sooners are averaging 49.5 PPG which is no. 1 in the country. The concern is going to be the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma did bring in former East Carolina University Head Coach Ruffin McNeill, who has pushed the Sooners defense to new levels, especially in the Big 12 Championship win against the University of Texas. The Sooners defense will have to hold off the no. 2 offense in PPG in Alabama, who averages 47.9 points. The Tide also holds a spoil of riches in the quarterback position with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. It was a reversal of the National Championship game when Hurts came in for the injured Tagovailoa and marched the Tide to victory over the University of Georgia in the SEC Championship game last weekend.

The Sooners may be the toughest opponent that the Tide will have to face, especially because Oklahoma has been playing better since the firing of defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. The Tide will have to face the Clemson Tigers or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, both teams that Alabama has beaten in championship games before. The Tide will have their hands full with the Tigers since they arguably have the best defense in the country with a lot of speed on the defensive line. Either way, it should be an entertaining College Football Playoff, with Nick Saban hoisting the trophy once again.

Providence College Investigates

by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018

Sports

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide will win the College Football Championship

By Thomas Zinzarella ’21

Sports Staff

With the college football season nearly over, all eyes will turn towards the four-team College Football Playoff which boasts no. 1 University of Alabama Crimson Tide, no. 2 Clemson University Tigers, no. 3 University of Notre Dame, and no. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners. My pick to win this year’s playoffs is the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Why Alabama? The Crimson Tide has been one of the best college teams for the past decade, winning the College Football Playoffs last year. Alabama also has one of the best coaches in the country, Nick Saban, who owns a 5-2 overall CFP record. Alabama will square off against the No. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners, a team that has been hyped around QB Kyler Murray and deservingly so. Murray, this past June, was drafted into the MLB by the Oakland A’s with the ninth overall selection in the first round.

Murray has carried his skills from the diamond to the gridiron with his elusive quickness and power of arm that she has shown as a centerfielder. Murray is the projected winner of the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best College Football Player every year.

The opening game against the Sooners should be a great test for Alabama. There may not be a better coach in the offensive game than Lincoln Riley. The Sooners are averaging 49.5 PPG which is no. 1 in the country. The concern is going to be the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma did bring in former East Carolina University Head Coach Ruffin McNeill, who has pushed the Sooners defense to new levels, especially in the Big 12 Championship win against the University of Texas. The Sooners defense will have to hold off the no. 2 offense in PPG in Alabama, who averages 47.9 points. The Tide also holds a spoil of riches in the quarterback position with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. It was a reversal of the National Championship game when Hurts came in for the injured Tagovailoa and marched the Tide to victory over the University of Georgia in the SEC Championship game last weekend.

The Sooners may be the toughest opponent that the Tide will have to face, especially because Oklahoma has been playing better since the firing of defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. The Tide will have to face the Clemson Tigers or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, both teams that Alabama has beaten in championship games before. The Tide will have their hands full with the Tigers since they arguably have the best defense in the country with a lot of speed on the defensive line. Either way, it should be an entertaining College Football Playoff, with Nick Saban hoisting the trophy once again.

Providence College Investigates

by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018

Sports

The Clemson University Tigers will win the College Football Championship

By Sullivan Burgess ’20

Sports Staff

travis etienne clemson university tigers football college championships — Photo Courtesy of Mike McCarn

This year in the 2019 College Football Playoffs, the no. 2 Clemson University Tigers (13-0) will win the National Championship in Santa Clara, California. While the road ahead may be tough, the Tigers have the tools and skills to be victorious at the end of the season.

In their first matchup of the playoffs at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, the Tigers will face the University of Notre Dame, who is the no. 3 seed at 12-0 this season. Meanwhile, on the other side at the Orange Bowl, the No. 1 seed University of Alabama will face the no. 4 seed University of Oklahoma.

While the game against the Fighting Irish will be tough, the Tigers will ultimately succeed. Clemson’s offense and defense have been unstoppable this season, with six potential NFL first round picks next year.

Though they were off to a slow start, the now-starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has proven to be a threat one game at a time, adjusting quickly to any situation at hand, ultimately increasing their confidence. This season, Clemson has scored at least 27 points or more in all 13 of their games.

On the defensive side of the field, the Tigers are allowing the least amounts of yards per games in the country, at 2.40 yards. Their defensive backs have been nothing but quick in their strategy which allows them to beat their opponents. Clemson has managed to force nine interceptions this season.

The Tigers’ defensive line has been the best in all of college football. Clemson as a team is third in the country in sacks with 45.

Against a team like Notre Dame, who has no down field threats, Clemson’s front seven will be looking for them to run, which only plays into the Tigers’ strength. Teams have averaged 93 rushing yards per game against Clemson, which is third lowest in college football.

Notre Dame’s offensive line will need help against the strong pass rush, which will cause their tight ends to come in to block, freeing up the Tigers’ linebackers to make plays.

After defeating Notre Dame, the Tigers would look to take on Alabama for the third time in the last four years. In 2016, Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40 in the championship game, then one year later Clemson came back and won 35-31.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, hurt his ankle against the University of Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship, allowing Jalen Hurts to return to the starting lineup and rally back from a 21-point Georgia lead.

Overall, these are two well-coached teams with good quarterbacks and defensive threats that can pressure offense. They both will prove to be extraordinary football teams, but Clemson will win for the second time in the last four years.