Miami vs. Ole Miss live updates: College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl game score, predictions, latest
No. 10 Miami (-3.5) vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
- Leading rusher: Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami (130-plus yards, one TD)
- Leading passer: Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (270-plus yards, two TDs)
- Leading receiver: Tre Wallace, Ole Miss (120-plus yards, one TD)
The SEC has dealt with a lot of backlash for its 4-9 bowl record and is hoping to avoid a third consecutive season without a team in the national championship game. The ACC is riding high with an 8-4 postseason record and is hoping Miami can deliver the league’s first national title since Clemson won it in 2018.
Miami and Ole Miss, meanwhile, are meeting on the field for the first time since 1951.
The Rebels play an uptempo, high-scoring brand of ball with Chambliss making opponents look foolish as they try to chase him down. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have slowed things down in the postseason, eaten up clock and won with their defense. Miami ranks No. 1 nationally in protecting the quarterback from pressure. Ole Miss is No. 2.
The key will be which team dictates the pace. Ole Miss can light up the scoreboard, but establishing the run is key. The four times the Rebels ran for fewer than 120 yards, they survived to beat Arkansas 41-35, lost to Georgia 43-35, won a struggle at Oklahoma 34-26 and rallied in the second half to beat the Bulldogs last week. Miami’s defense, meanwhile, has held 10 opponents to under 100 rushing yards, including Texas A&M (89 yards) and Ohio State (45 yards) in the postseason.
Prediction: Fletcher’s tough, physical running is going to help Miami keep Ole Miss’ offense off the field. When push comes to shove late, Carson Beck and Keelan Marion hook up for the winning touchdown in a 31-30 Hurricanes victory.
