Can Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss top Miami defense in CFP Fiesta Bowl? Our prediction
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GLENDALE, AZ − The Fiesta Bowl pits Ole Miss football against another team that has knocked out heavyweights in the College Football Playoff bracket.
The No. 6 Rebels (13-1) will take on No. 10 Miami (12-2) in the CFP semifinals on Jan. 8 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) at State Farm Stadium. If they win, they'll play Indiana or Oregon in the national championship in Miami on Jan. 19.
Ole Miss beat No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to reach the CFP semifinals. The Hurricanes beat No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.
Here's what will determine if it's Miami or Ole Miss moving on to the final game of the season
Does Trinidad Chambliss have another elite performance in him?
The Rebels have advanced through the CFP on the back of their quarterback who started the season as a backup transfer from Division II Ferris State.
Chambliss put together a sparking regular season that earned an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy vote.
In two CFP games, he has thrown for a total of 644 yards, no interceptions and five total touchdowns. He's playing the caliber of football that can win a national championship.
Can Ole Miss keep Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor from wrecking game?
Miami has the personnel required to slow Chambliss down. The Hurricanes lead the nation in sacks with 46.
The Hurricanes defense has already flexed its might in the CFP. In two games against Texas A&M and Ohio State, Miami has 12 sacks. The pressure starts with defensive linemen Akheem Mesidor (10.5 sacks) and Rueben Bain (8.5). Both are possible first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's critical for Chambliss and Ole Miss to avoid allowing Mesidor or Bain to create game-changing negative plays, whether it be a strip-sack or interception on a rushed pass.
The Miami defense held Ohio State to 10 points in the Cotton Bowl. Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin threw for 287 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Who wins rematch, Miami QB Carson Beck or Pete Golding, Ole Miss defense?
The Rebels got the better of Miami quarterback Carson Beck when he played for Georgia last season.
Ole Miss won that game in Oxford 28-10 on Nov. 9, 2024. Beck was held to 186 yards passing and no touchdowns. He was picked off once.
The Ole Miss defense is no longer among the best in the nation like last year, but allows a respectable 194 passing yards per game, which is No. 4 in the SEC.
Beck is not much of a scrambler, so honing in on his connection with wide receiver Malachi Toney will be key. Toney is a freshman with 1,008 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 21 carries and a rushing touchdown.
Ole Miss vs Miami score prediction
Ole Miss 23, Miami 20: Miami tends to lull teams into low-scoring games, but no team has managed to hold Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense down for four quarters in the CFP. Look for the Rebels to win in a close one.
Ole Miss vs Miami tickets
You can find College Football Playoff tickets for Ole Miss vs. Miami on StubHub.
College Football Playoff bracket 2025-26 schedule
All times Central
CFP semifinals
- Thursday, Jan. 8
- Fiesta Bowl (Game 9): Miami vs. Ole Miss | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
- Friday, Jan. 9
- Peach Bowl (Game 10): Indiana vs. Oregon | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
CFP championship game
- Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium (Game 11, Miami): 6:30 p.m.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs Miami predictions for Trinidad Chambliss in Fiesta Bowl
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