Miami And Ole Miss chasing history College football playoffs. Ole Miss has already broken the school record with 13 wins and is closer than ever to winning the school's first solo national title. Miami lived up to expectations, sneaking into the playoffs and going all the way The Toughest Postseason Path to the Semifinals.
It's ACC vs. SEC, a big offense against a big defense. His U against New. Regardless of who wins, the winner will advance to the national championship as an unlikely entrant.
Simply put, No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Ole Miss doesn't get much better in terms of stakes and storylines. The rebels could win a national title without Lane Kiffinwho fled the city in search of a rival LSU — and nabbed several Ole Miss assistants — ahead of the playoffs. Miami could complete its long-awaited return to glory under alumnus Mario Cristobal, who left Oregon three years ago to return his alma mater to the national stage.
There is no shortage of superstars on any team. Defender Carson Beck is the most accurate passer left in the playoffs. Ole Miss Trinidad Chambliss went from national champion in the second division to a bench player for the Rebels to perhaps the most energetic player in the postseason. Georgia couldn't keep up with him in the quarterfinals as he led the Rebels to a thrilling 39-34 victory.
Miami's defense is a brick wall, allowing just 17 points in wins over Texas A&M And Ohio in the CFP. They fired the mobile defender Marcel Reid seven times on the road. Julian Sayinthe most accurate passer in the country, couldn't catch first downs.
The Fiesta Bowl features two of the CFP's most exciting stories.
Miami vs. Ole Miss: What you need to know before the Fiesta Bowl
Trench warfare: Miami's postseason run was highlighted by the incredible passing game provided by Reuben Bain Jr.. And Achim Mesidorwho helped lead the nation's best defense in bag production. The Hurricanes have 12 sacks in two playoff games and have recorded at least four sacks in four straight games, bringing their season total to 46. Their pressure rate is also an elite 40.5%. Ole Miss allows just 1.3 sacks per game, ranks in the top 20 in the country and actually trails Ohio State, which has given up six sacks to Miami. However, the difference for the Rebels is cornerback Trinidad Chambliss, whose mobility kept Georgia out of reach. The Bulldogs had zero sacks and just three tackles in the quarterfinals. Ole Miss is punted on just 3.1% of its passes, ranking seventh nationally.
Championship pedigrees: Ole Miss has never won a national title outright and Miami is chasing it for the first time since 2001, but championship-worthy quarterbacks are leading both teams in their quest for history. Chambliss led Ferris State to a Division II national title last season before transferring to Ole Miss. Carson Beck is 36-5 in his career, including a 15-3 record against ranked opponents. He is the first quarterback to win that many games in three years since 2012-14 (Marcus Mariota). Beck completed 74.4% of his passes, but in the last two games he threw for fewer than 150 yards for the first time in his career as a starter. Chambliss has thrown for 300-plus yards in eight games this season, including a career-high in last week's win over Georgia.
Which elite running backs will come out on top?: Get ready for the second round in Arizona. Miami Mark Fletcher Jr.. was a bull in the playoffs, especially late in games, rushing for 262 yards in the postseason, which ranked fourth in CFP history. Ole Miss Kevan Lacey he's a scoring machine, recording rushing touchdowns in his last eight games and racking up an incredible 877 yards in that span. Lacy's 23 rushing touchdowns rank third in SEC history, behind two Alabama runners who have won national titles in their respective seasons.
Where to watch Miami vs Ole Miss game live
Date: Thursday 8 January | Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona.
TV: ESPN | Live broadcast: Fubo (Try for free)
Miami vs Ole Miss Predictions, Picks
If Miami struggles to impact Trinidad Chambliss in the pocket, the Rebels will win. If the Rebels can't protect their quarterback from tight ends Ruben Bain Jr. and Achim Mesidore, the Hurricanes will win. Chambliss avoided pressure for most of the season, as did Texas A&M's Marcel Reed before Miami sacked him seven times in the first round. Ole Miss' defense is solid but not elite, which should allow the Hurricanes to score at least three touchdowns against a host of stars who have failed to match up against two elite defenses in the CFP. Ole Miss has scored more than 30 goals in eight straight games. Choice: over 51.5
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