The stage is set in Glendale, Arizona, where the 2026 College Football Playoff semi-final at the Fiesta Bowl sees No. 6 Ole Miss clashing with No. 10 Miami—a matchup few could have predicted at the start of this wild college football season. With kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, the excitement is palpable as fans and NFL scouts alike zero in on a game packed with draft implications and emerging stars.
Chaos has defined the road to this year’s semifinals. Perennial powerhouses like Ohio State and Georgia, expected by many to cruise into the final, were instead upended by these very teams. Miami’s stunning dismantling of No. 1 Ohio State and Ole Miss’s upset over No. 3 Georgia sent shockwaves through the college football world, setting the stage for a semifinal that’s as unpredictable as it is compelling.
At the heart of the action are two quarterbacks with very different stories but equally high stakes. For Miami, Carson Beck has rebuilt his reputation after transferring from Georgia and sitting out the 2024 season. Once considered a possible first-round NFL Draft pick for the New York Giants—especially after Daniel Jones was benched—Beck’s decision to return to school and move to Miami has paid off. His 2025 campaign has put him back on the radar as a potential Day 2 selection in the upcoming draft. According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Beck is ranked as the sixth-best quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, and a strong performance tonight could push him even higher on draft boards.
Opposite Beck is Trinidad Chambliss, the Ole Miss quarterback whose journey is nothing short of remarkable. Chambliss transferred from Division II Ferris State and, in his first season with the Rebels, has emerged as a bona fide playmaker. He’s currently seeking a waiver to return for a sixth collegiate season, but his growth and impact this year have already caught the attention of scouts. Kiper ranks Chambliss as the fourth-best quarterback prospect, a testament to his rapid ascent and versatility under center.
But it’s not just the quarterbacks drawing NFL interest. Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa is perhaps the most coveted prospect on the field. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 315 pounds, Mauigoa has started all 14 games this season and allowed just one sack—a staggering feat for any offensive lineman. Kiper’s Big Board ranks Mauigoa as the No. 5 overall prospect in the entire 2026 draft class, and he’s widely viewed as a future Pro Bowl-caliber tackle or guard. His ability to neutralize elite pass rushers and his versatility to slide inside if needed make him a top target for teams like the Giants, who may soon need to replace veterans like Jermaine Eluemunor or Greg Van Roten.
Miami’s defense is also loaded with NFL-caliber talent. Edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor have both made significant impacts this season. Bain, who’s 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, racked up 60 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks over 14 games. His relentless motor and powerful hands have earned him the top spot among defensive ends in Kiper’s position rankings. "Bain’s hustle really stands out to me. He never takes a play off and fires at the ball on every play," Kiper notes. Mesidor, meanwhile, has bounced back from an injury-shortened 2023 to post 64 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 2025, showcasing his ability to disrupt both the run and pass. His flexibility to slide inside and rush from the defensive tackle spot only adds to his draft appeal.
For Ole Miss, Chambliss isn’t the only playmaker to watch. While the Rebels may not have as many top-tier draft prospects as Miami, their collective grit and resilience have defined their postseason run. Chambliss’s leadership and improvisational skills have kept Ole Miss in games they were expected to lose, and his chemistry with his receivers has been a key storyline all year.
Scouts are also keeping tabs on Miami’s offensive line depth and defensive versatility. Mauigoa’s dominance at right tackle is complemented by Miami’s ability to protect Beck and create running lanes. The Hurricanes’ offensive line has been a model of consistency, giving up minimal sacks and opening up the playbook for Beck to operate with confidence.
As for the Giants and other NFL teams, tonight’s game is a gold mine for evaluating talent. With both teams featuring players who could fill immediate needs at the next level, every snap is under scrutiny. Giants fans, in particular, are encouraged to keep an eye on Miami’s right tackle and edge defenders, as changes in the defensive scheme could make Bain Jr. or Mesidor ideal fits in the Big Apple.
The 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled to kick off on April 23 in Pittsburgh, is still months away, and Mel Kiper Jr. reminds us that his Big Board is anything but final. "The class will still change a ton between now and April 23," he writes, emphasizing that pre-draft events and postseason performances will continue to shake up the rankings. But as things stand, Miami’s Mauigoa, Bain Jr., and Mesidor are all firmly in the first-round conversation, with Beck and Chambliss looking to improve their stock with a statement performance in the national spotlight.
What’s at stake tonight isn’t just a spot in the national championship—it’s a chance for these young athletes to cement their legacies and secure their futures. For Beck and Chambliss, it’s an opportunity to prove they can lead on the biggest stage. For Mauigoa, Bain Jr., and Mesidor, it’s about reinforcing their status as elite prospects who can make an immediate impact on Sundays.
With the Fiesta Bowl underway and the College Football Playoff semifinals delivering drama at every turn, all eyes are on Glendale. Whether you’re an NFL scout, a die-hard fan, or just love great football, this is one semifinal you won’t want to miss. As the action unfolds, the only certainty is that new stars will emerge, and draft boards everywhere will be rewritten.
As the clock ticks down and the tension mounts, both Ole Miss and Miami know that history is within reach. The Fiesta Bowl is living up to its billing, and the NFL future for many of these players is as bright as the Arizona lights. Stay tuned—the story is far from over.
