Michael Irvin was on the Miami Hurricanes' sideline at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night to watch his alma mater take on the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. However, there wasn't a perfect ending to the miracle season for Mario Cristobal's team.
Before the game, the Hall-of-Famer shared his best 'BTA' take about how the Canes should play. Irvin wanted a “dirty” contest, but they were outmatched by Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers. After rolling to the "home" championship game, there wasn't any late-game heroics to be had.
“They’ve been blowing everybody out. So if this game gets late and it’s close, they’re going to start tightening up and we’re used to it. Make it a dirty game,” Irvin said. “Make sure they know they played a team today. And understand, this is your home. You never let anyone come into your home, especially in a championship game, and beat you.”
Mendoza did his thing and wasn't shaken by Miami's defensive front. He stood in the pocket and delivered when it mattered the most with the Hoosiers making history. But it came down to the final minute and Carson Beck being intercepted by Jamari Sharpe to seal the victory.
The final blow left Irvin standing there in disbelief that the run was coming to an end.
Michael Irvin. Can’t believe it. Pic.twitter.com/0pGwSQmHp1
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) January 20, 2026
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The moment won't be lost in Irvin's mind for a while. Any upbeat emotion was drained from his face in an instance. As devastating as this was for all the players, coaches, family members for Miami, there's nothing to dejected about. The Hurricanes pulled out an outstanding season with a great late-season run.
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When Miami was on the ropes, they stepped up as a team and carried momentum in the Playoff after many wanted Notre Dame to be there over them. Cristobal pushed his team back onto college football's biggest stage and they'll be a force for many years to come.
More CFP National Championship news:
- SNL pokes fun at Michael Irvin's amped up Miami Hurricanes fandom
- Miami hasn’t beaten a No. 1 team in 26 years— Indiana stands in the way
- Indiana's Curt Cignetti means business ahead of title game
- Here's how much Miami is paying its 2025 roster for College Football Playoff run
- Carson Beck shares honest reaction to 'Vanilla Vick' nickname
- National Championship parking prices are so high, getting towed costs less