Auburn Defensive Back Keionte Scott 0 20231111 Fb Vsark Zb 073 — Former Auburn defensive back Keionte Scott (0) is now with the Hurricanes. (Zach Bland / Auburn Tigers)

It may not be the two teams we all thought would be here when College Football Playoff predictions were made months ago but Indiana and Miami are set to play for the national title Monday night.

And from the transfer portal to high school recruiting to the coaching staffs, both teams have strong ties to our state.

Trying to find out who to root for? Keep reading to see what familiar names you’ll find on both sidelines.

Miami Hurricanes

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The Hurricanes certainly have the most connections to our state with eight players on the roster with different connections to Alabama.

Four of them played their high school ball in the state including:

OL Anez Cooper, Pleasant Grove: Started all 15 games
LB Cam Pruitt, Theodore: 14 games, 10 tackles, 0.5 sack
WR Daylyn Upshaw, Central-Phenix City: 7 games, 7 catches, 105 yards
DL Cole McConathy II, Spanish Fort

The other four players from the state are transfers from some of our colleges including:

OL James Brockermeyer, Alabama: Started 15 games
DB Keionte Scott, Auburn: 61 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 defensive touchdowns, 5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR
DB Zechariah Poyser, Jax State: 62 tackles, 6 pass deflections, 2 FR, 1 FR
TE Jack Nickel, UAB

Head coach Mario Cristobal spent four seasons with the Crimson Tide on Nick Saban’s staff from 2013 to 2016. He took on multiple roles in Tuscaloosa including offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach.

Miami cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge won a national championship as a player with Auburn in 2010. He is a graduate from Charles Henderson High School.

Indiana Hoosiers

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Indiana’s connection to the state also starts at the top with coach Curt Cignetti. It’s a connection that Crimson Tide fans are probably tired of hearing about, especially after the Hoosiers big win over Alabama.

Cignetti was the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator under Saban from 2007-10 before getting his first head coaching job at IUP.

As for the players, it’s a much shorter list than the geographically closer Hurricanes.

E.J. Williams Jr., former Central-Phenix City wide receiver, is the fourth leading pass catcher for the Hoosiers this season. He’s recorded at least one catch in each of the last eight games including a touchdown reception in the semifinal against Oregon.

This season, Williams Jr. 438 yards and six touchdowns on 36 receptions.

Former UAB and Park Crossing High School star running back Lee Beebe Jr. entered the season as a backup running back but a season-ending injury in September cut his year short.