Matchup: 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. 6 Ole Miss RebelsDate: Thursday, 1/8/2026Time: 7:30 p.m. ESTLocation: State Farm StadiumTV: ESPNLast matchup: October 26th, 1951 – Miami 20, Ole Miss 7All-time series record: Miami 1 win, Ole Miss 2 winsThe first game played between these two institutions was in 1936
There is an argument to be made that the Miami Hurricanes are the most dangerous team in the College Football Playoff.
Don’t take my word for it; listen to the greatest college football coach of all time talk about it. Nick Saban loves this Miami team and has all the confidence in the world in them, and you should, too.
What we have seen from these Hurricanes these last two games has been remarkable. The fan base has known that this roster is capable of this, but to see it happen is incredible reassurance.
It starts and ends with Corey Hetherman and his defensive unit.
Out of the four remaining teams left in the dance, Miami’s defense is riding the biggest momentum heading into their semifinal game. Rueben Bain Jr, Akheem Mesidor, and Keionte Scott are not only the stars of this unit, but are the game changers for Hetherman’s unit.
They have been more than phenomenal, and the Hurricanes will need them more than ever against a red-hot Rebels offense.
In the two CFP games they have played, they have allowed 17 points combined. They held the Aggies to three points in Kyle Field and then limited one of the best teams in the country to 14 points last week.
Two players to watch on the defense to have more of an impact and turn into game changers: S Jakobe Thomas and EDGE Marquise Lightfoot.
Interior defensive linemen Ahmad Moten Sr. was hurt early in the Ohio State game last week and missed the majority of that game. He is a massive part of that defensive line, and it looks like he will be back and play against Ole Miss.
Another injury to monitor is CB Damari Brown. He is listed as questionable, and if the Canes can have their best cornerback back in this defense after missing a few games, this unit will become even more dangerous.
Offensively, it’s time for Carson Beck to push the ball down the field against this Ole Miss defense. The Rebels have a respectable run defense, but Miami should still have success in that department. When it comes to the passing attack, Miami should have the advantage there.
The offensive line should neutralize the pass rush of the Rebels (not their best unit) and give Beck time to find his playmakers. Superstar freshman Malachi Toney hasn’t had that eye-popping game yet in the postseason. It doesn’t diminish the impact he still has had these last two games, especially with his relentless run blocking. In terms of the passing attack, this game against Ole Miss should be one that favors Toney to have a big game.
CJ Daniels should find success on Thursday and help this Miami offense move the chains. Mark Fletcher Jr. has been a beast in these College Football Playoff games and will look to continue his hot streak.
One name to look out for offensively to change the dynamic of the game is WR Keelan Marion. He has the makings and style against this Rebels defense to be a game-changer.
Shannon Dawson is coming off the biggest coaching game of his career against the Ohio State Buckeyes. He faced off against Matt Patricia, and many had thought (and rightfully so) that the advantage would be on the side of the Buckeyes in the battle of the play-callers.
Despite the criticism Dawson has faced this season, he was excellent against Ohio State and came through when needed most. He will be going up against Pete Golding in a fun style matchup in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Hurricanes have a great story heading into the Fiesta Bowl, but Ole Miss may have the best one out of them all.
With Lane Kiffin leaving before the CFP to accept the LSU job, the team was left in limbo and with a lot of questions. Needless to say, Golding has proven his worth as a coach, and the players are playing at their best, which they have had all season.
No one is on more of a hot streak than QB Trinidad Chambliss. He has been incredible this postseason and just knocked off Georgia in a barn-burner of a game.
He completed 65% of his passes against the Bulldogs for 362 yards and two touchdowns. He kept the ball out of harm’s way and made some big-time throws in a must-have-it game. Chambliss’s ability to extend the play and play off-script changes the way the opposing defenses have to cover Ole Miss and its dynamic offense.
RB Kewan Lacy is one of the best running backs in the country and has been a pillar of Ole Miss’ success. He is coming off a 95-yard rushing game against Georgia with two touchdowns. He did fumble once, but his ability to turn the game on its head is worth watching for.
The offense is coming off a 39-point explosion against Kirby Smart’s defense. The Rebels had two wide receivers who had more than 120 receiving yards each in Harrison Wallace III and De’Zhaun Stribling. They accounted for 77% of their passing yards against Georgia.
The Rebels’ defense is streaky, at best.
Golding, despite taking over head-coaching duties, is still the defensive play caller and focuses on that unit more than anyone else. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded the Rebels’ run defense as the 22nd-best unit in the country. That is their highest graded unit.
The other units haven’t performed as well.
They have Ole Miss graded the 83rd-best pass rush in the country at 69.4. Per PFF, their pass coverage grade is 74.8, which ranks them 71st-best in the country. Ole Miss has the 81st-best tackling grade in the country, which is their second-worst graded unit on their team.
To play one more home game: If Miami gets the job done, they will have earned the pleasure and opportunity to play for a national championship in Miami.Returning to the glory days of competing for national championships: One win away from having the opportunity to leave a legacy.Legacy: Winning the Fiesta Bowl and advancing to the national championship would be remembered as part of the Canes’ illustrious history.
If we can all agree on one thing, it’s that Miami should have an advantage on both lines of scrimmage. They have showcased their dominance in the College Football Playoff and throughout the season.
What will be interesting is the tempo of the game and how Miami’s offense competes against the Rebels’ defense. Everyone has their questions about Beck and if he can live up to the moment in this game. We haven’t seen it from him yet this postseason, but he hasn’t been asked to do much. Miami has faced arguably the two best defenses in the playoffs and won the games the way they were supposed to.
Beck will be asked to do more in this game, and I believe he has more than enough around him, with a great offensive coordinator who is hitting his stride, too, to have a great game.
The defense will have its hands full with this Ole Miss offense. They are facing a dynamic quarterback and an offense playing their best ball this season. They are peaking at the right time. The Hurricanes’ defense has been dominant in the CFP, and I expect them to play well. They won’t be as dominant as we are accustomed to due to the explosive offense they are facing, but they still have a significant impact.
These teams are at their peak right now and can exploit each other’s weaknesses, but I keep coming back to what Nick Saban said.
Final Score Prediction: Miami 31, Ole Miss 24