The College Football Playoff is reaching a fever pitch as the Miami Hurricanes and Ole Miss Rebels prepare to square off in a highly anticipated semifinal showdown at the Fiesta Bowl. Set for January 8, 2026, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, this matchup marks the first-ever CFP semifinal appearance for both storied programs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern, with fans across the nation tuning in on ESPN to see which team punches its ticket to the national championship.
Both teams arrive in Arizona riding waves of momentum and defying preseason expectations. Miami, ranked No. 10 in the CFP poll, has been the talk of college football since sneaking into the expanded playoff field. The Hurricanes started their run with a gritty 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M, then shocked the nation by knocking out defending national champion Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels have authored one of the most remarkable stories in recent college football memory. After dispatching No. 11 Tulane in the opening round, the Rebels stunned No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, 39-34, avenging their only regular season loss and setting a new program record with their 13th win.
This semifinal isn’t just a battle between two hot teams—it’s a collision of contrasting styles, coaching storylines, and rising stars. The Hurricanes boast the ACC’s top scoring defense, surrendering a mere 13 points per game, and have racked up a staggering 46 sacks this season. Defensive ends Rueben Bain Jr. (8.5 sacks) and Akheem Mesidor (10.5 sacks) have earned All-America honors, and their relentless pass rush was on full display against Ohio State, combining for three sacks and routinely disrupting the Buckeyes’ backfield.
On the offensive side, Miami has leaned on the steady leadership of quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia in January 2025 in a move that shocked the college football world. Beck, reflecting on his decision, shared, “Everything has a shelf life, and I think the shelf life there (at Georgia) was over, and it was just time to start something new, to get into a new program, to start a new chapter of my life, my career.” He added, “As a quarterback, the (offensive coordinator), the scheme, the talent and guys that you’re going to have around you is huge to the success and ultimately, the future… of a quarterback, but (also for) me (personally). This is my future and I think this decision is one of the better decisions I’ve made.”
Beck’s transition has paid dividends for Miami, especially in the postseason. In the Cotton Bowl, he set a record by completing 13 consecutive passes, keeping the Hurricanes’ offense on schedule and minimizing mistakes. He’s been supported by a dynamic cast, including junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who has tallied 287 all-purpose yards in the two playoff wins, highlighted by a bruising 56-yard run that set up a game-winning score against Texas A&M. Freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney has also emerged as a star, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards on the year and providing a reliable target downfield.
But if Miami’s defense is its calling card, Ole Miss counters with one of the most explosive offenses left in the tournament. Since taking over as starting quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss has been nothing short of electric. In the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl triumph over Georgia, Chambliss threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns, showing poise under pressure and a knack for escaping the rush—an ability that will be tested against Miami’s ferocious front. Running back Kewan Lacy has also stepped up, transforming into one of the SEC’s top backs and balancing the Rebels’ attack.
The Rebels’ journey to Glendale has been shaped by drama and resilience. Lane Kiffin’s high-profile departure for LSU just before the Playoff thrust defensive coordinator Pete Golding into the head coaching spotlight. Far from faltering, Golding has rallied the team, guiding Ole Miss to back-to-back playoff wins and cementing his status as one of college football’s rising coaching stars. The Rebels, now 13-1, have banded together under Golding’s leadership, with the defense making critical stops down the stretch despite being the lowest-rated unit remaining in the CFP field.
Oddsmakers have installed Miami as a slight favorite, with lines ranging from -3 to -3.5 points in the days leading up to the game. The over-under has hovered between 51.5 and 52.5 points, reflecting the potential for fireworks on both sides. Both squads have been reliable for bettors this season, each sporting a 9-5 record against the spread, and both have thrived as underdogs during their respective playoff runs.
While the betting markets lean toward Miami, analysts remain divided. Some see the Hurricanes’ relentless defense as the difference-maker, with their pass rush and disciplined secondary capable of slowing Chambliss and the Rebels’ high-octane attack. Others point to Ole Miss’s offensive versatility and recent heroics as evidence that the Rebels could pull off yet another upset. As one prediction put it: “Ole Miss 23, Miami 19: Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is excellent at sack avoidance. The Rebels could win a low-scoring game.”
Historical context adds another layer of intrigue. This will be just the fourth meeting all-time between Miami and Ole Miss, and their first since 1951. The Hurricanes won that lone postwar contest, while the Rebels captured two victories before World War II. Now, more than seven decades later, both programs stand on the cusp of national prominence, with a shot at the championship game hanging in the balance.
Tickets for the Fiesta Bowl have been in hot demand, with fans from both schools eager to witness history. The winner will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 19, 2026, capping a campaign already filled with drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments.
With so much at stake and both teams playing their best football, the Fiesta Bowl semifinal between Miami and Ole Miss promises to deliver high drama, elite talent, and perhaps another chapter in college football’s book of upsets. The eyes of the sports world will be glued to Glendale as these two Cinderella stories collide under the Arizona lights. One thing’s for sure: by the end of Thursday night, a new contender will have emerged, and the dream of a national title will be alive for just one.
