Miami enters the National Championship game sixth nationally, allowing 86.47 rushing yards per game. Indiana is 12th nationally, averaging 218.33 rushing YPG. Teams that have slowed Indiana offensively have been able to contain the Hoosiers on the ground.
Five of the six lowest point totals for Indiana in 2025 have come when the Hoosiers ran for 118 yards or fewer. In their two lowest scoring games, Indiana ran for 104 yards in a 20-15 win over Iowa and 118 in a 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship Game.
Indiana runs on 60.78 percent of its offensive plays. The biggest strength for Miami is its pass rush. If Miami can slow down Indiana on the ground, that plays into the defensive strength for the Hurricanes rushing the passer.
In their National Championship preview, Pro Football examined the Indiana offensive line versus the Miami defensive line in the run game. Max Chadwick of PFF noted Indiana runs man or inside zone concepts on 60 percent of its attempts.
"The onus will be on the Hoosiers’ offensive line...to be the more physically dominant trench unit in this game...Indiana’s offensive line will face arguably its biggest challenge of the season in Miami’s defensive line...This game promises to be a physical battle, particularly when Indiana attempts to run the ball downhill."Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
When utilizing the man or zone inside run, Indiana averages 5.8 yards per carry, 17th nationally per Chadwick. Indiana also has the 10th-best OL PFF run blocking grade, according to Chadwick. The Miami DL is third nationally in PFF run defense grade per Chadwick.
Indiana is 14th nationally, averaging 5.33 YPC in 2025 against the Miami defense, allowing 2.95 YPC. Miami allows 4.1 YPC against man or inside zone concepts in 2025 per Chadwick. Indiana is also known for utilizing the read-option often.
Indiana running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black combined for over 2,000 yards rushing this season and quarterback Fernando Mendoza added 284 yards on the ground. Khobie Martin had another 505 yards rushing for Indiana in 2025.
The Miami run defense has been exceptional during its three-game College Football Playoff run. Miami held Texas A&M, Ohio State and Mississippi to a combined 80 carries for 255 yards. 3.19 YPC and two TDs. If Miami has a similar performance against Indiana, that will greatly increase its chances of winning.