Forget the idea that Indiana’s veteran roster gives the Hoosiers a built-in edge over Miami. It’s the most misleading storyline attached to the national championship, and it’s built on a myth that doesn’t survive even basic scrutiny.

As the College Football Playoff title game approaches at Hard Rock Stadium, that narrative has increasingly been tied to Malachi Toney. The freshman wide receiver’s breakout season has been used as shorthand for labeling Miami as “young,” while Indiana is framed as old and experienced. According to FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt, that framing is flat-out wrong.

“Indiana and Miami are virtually identical when it comes to experience. There’s this narrative out there that Miami is a bunch of 19-year-olds and Indiana’s a bunch of 23-year-olds, and that it is not fair. It is totally false.” Klatt said on the 13th January episode of his show. “Those numbers bear it out right there. They are both very experienced teams. There’s maybe not a more experienced player on the field than Carson Beck. I don’t understand why these Miami people are out there running with this narrative.”

Rather than revealing a gap, Klatt’s point reframes the matchup entirely: the perceived advantage simply doesn’t exist at the roster level.

The myth gained traction largely because of Toney’s production. As a freshman, he has been one of the most productive wide receivers in the country, finishing the season with 99 receptions for 1,089 yards and nine touchdowns. His age, combined with his visibility, made him an easy symbol for those looking to frame the matchup as youth versus maturity.

Indiana’s receiving room offered a convenient contrast. Omar Cooper Jr., now in his junior year, has played a key role throughout Indiana’s undefeated run. That surface-level comparison, freshman versus junior, helped fuel a narrative that Indiana holds an inherent experience advantage.

But that comparison collapses when viewed in isolation. Individual age differences do not define entire rosters, and focusing on one position ignores how both teams are built across the field.

As Klatt noted, Miami’s experience extends well beyond individual freshmen. Senior quarterback Carson Beck anchors the Hurricanes offensively, providing leadership that directly undercuts the idea that Miami lacks maturity. His presence alone challenges the premise that Indiana is uniquely seasoned or physically advantaged.

The persistence of the myth says more about Indiana’s rise than Miami’s roster. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has gone from the bottom of the Big Ten in 2023 to an 11–2 season in 2024 and a perfect 15–0 campaign this year. That rapid transformation has made the Hoosiers an easy target for narratives attempting to contextualize or subtly diminish their dominance.

Rather than acknowledging Indiana as a complete team, detractors have leaned on oversimplified explanations centered on age, transfers, and perceived imbalance.

What Actually Matters in the Championship

Indiana enters the title game as the most dominant team in college football this season. Already crowned Big Ten champions and led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers have looked composed, efficient, and ruthless throughout the year, with a historic 16-0 finish within reach.

Miami’s path has been more volatile but no less impressive. The Hurricanes earned a playoff berth after the committee valued their head-to-head win over Notre Dame, then surged through the bracket with wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State before edging Ole Miss in the semifinals.

That run alone dismantles the idea that Miami is inexperienced or unprepared. High-pressure wins against elite opponents tend to do that.

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This kind of narrative isn’t new in championship settings. Every postseason seems to produce a convenient storyline, such as age, toughness, brand, or pedigree, that sounds convincing until the game is actually played. More often than not, those narratives fade once execution takes over.

When the ball is kicked at Hard Rock Stadium, age and class year will matter far less than composure, discipline, and performance. And on that front, the so-called Indiana experience myth offers no real advantage at all.