Miami and Indiana should be near full strength for CFP championship game

Coaches said most key players for Miami and Indiana are expected to be available for next week's College Football Playoff championship game.

Miami and Indiana both said they expect most key players to be available for next week's College Football Playoff championship game. Miami coach Mario Cristobal told reporters he expects defensive linemen Akheem Mesidor and Ahmad Moten and cornerback OJ Frederique to be ready. Cristobal noted tight end Elija Lofton remains in question and cornerback Damari Brown is day-to-day. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said, aside from Stephen Daley's postgame celebration injury, players who played in the last game are expected to play. Key developments: - Miami expects Akheem Mesidor, Ahmad Moten and OJ Frederique to be available for the title game. - Elija Lofton is listed as questionable and Damari Brown is described as day-to-day by Cristobal. - Indiana lost defensive lineman Stephen Daley to a right leg injury in a postgame celebration; Cignetti said those who played in the last game will play. - Indiana averaged 47.0 points in its two playoff wins and its defense held Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon to a combined 35 points. - Miami's defense allowed 20 or fewer points in seven games prior to the Ole Miss game and is led by first-season coordinator Corey Hetherman. Summary: Both teams enter next Monday's College Football Playoff championship largely expecting their core players to be available, which frames the matchup as between largely healthy rosters. Coaches emphasized preparing the game the same as prior big opponent weeks, and a small number of player statuses remain day-to-day.