Miami, Florida – After stunning former defending champ Ohio State, the Miami Hurricanes move one step closer to the Natty as they face Ole Miss next. The Rebels are the SEC’s last hope in a disappointing postseason for the conference. Ole Miss arrives at the Fiesta Bowl coming off a thrilling 39-34 Sugar Bowl win over Georgia. Two years into the current CFP format, bye week teams are now 1-7, with Indiana the exception. There isn’t much history between these two teams. In fact, 1951 was the last time the Canes played the Rebels, winning 20-7. The Hurricanes are one win away from a shot at winning their first National Championship since 2001. However, they face yet another dual-threat quarterback who proved to be immensely slippery against the Bulldogs.
INTENSITY!
PASSION!
FINISH!#GoCanes | @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/3ICty0djpx— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 2, 2026
Ole Miss has a potent offense that’s considered among the best in the country, certainly among the SEC, averaging 496.2 total yards per game. Their passing attack is a sight to behold, averaging 315.9 yards per game. Similar to Ohio State, the Rebels can run up the score, averaging 37.6 points per game. Coach Lane Kiffin’s former team ended the regular season 11-1; their sole loss was to Georgia, which is already avenged. Their efforts awarded them the sixth seed for the postseason, kicking off their playoff hopes with a 41-10 demolition of Tulane. Former defensive coordinator Pete Golding now leads the program, steering it through the aftermath of Kiffin’s departure to LSU. And that drama isn’t over, since it’s affecting the coaching staff.
HURRICANE WARNING‼️
3️⃣ days out from the @CFBPlayoff Semifinal at the @Vrbo #FiestaBowl, the @MiamiHurricanes arrived in the Valley on Monday night. pic.twitter.com/HP4tpElsaC
— Fiesta Sports Foundation (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 6, 2026
Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss
The playmaking instincts of Trinidad Chambliss are ridiculous.
This 3-play sequence sums it up. pic.twitter.com/scveD6uOFc
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 2, 2026
The Hurricanes face another QB with legs: Trinidad Chambliss. The signal caller torched Georgia for 362 passing yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for a paltry 14 yards, but whenever he was flushed out of the pocket, Chambliss was difficult to take down, making plays happen. Trinidad was on the outside looking in for much of the season when it came to my Heisman rankings, although his totals of 3,660 passing yards, 520 rushing yards, and a combined 29 TDs are nothing to scoff at.
Harrison Wallace III
Harrison Wallace III deceleration pic.twitter.com/3UNLBG6DXd
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 4, 2026
This fella is one explosive individual. Harrison Wallace III caught 9 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown in the CFP quarter-final. Wallace tallied 894 yards on 57 receptions, averaging 15.7 yards per catch during 2025. The Penn State transfer has everything you want in a wide receiver: speed, quickness, and the ability to win contested catches. If Chambliss is under duress in the pocket, this is his likely go-to guy to get out of a pinch.
Kewan Lacy
KEWAN LACY. WITHOUT HESITATION.@OleMissFB x 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/qSOyWol1k2
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) November 28, 2025
This leading rusher has amassed 1,464 yards on 295 carries, complemented by 23 touchdowns (an Ole Miss single-season record), putting him among the best in the country. Kewan Lacy produced 98 yards and scored twice against Georgia. Lacy is a physical back with excellent top-end speed, and the sophomore is also a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield who can line up as a wide receiver. Vision, cutting, and overall consistency are his areas of improvement, according to scouting reports.
Wydett Williams Jr.
Excellent out of phase rep here from Ole Miss DB Wydett Williams Jr. Doesn’t panic when the receiver gets separation, keeps his eyes on the receiver as he closes space, and then plays through the hands when the ball arrives! #EggBowl pic.twitter.com/zKI1SiwQ2h
— Mark Lenehan (@mark_lenehan) November 28, 2025
Defense isn’t a hallmark of the team. However, I am deeply impressed with Wydett Williams. The guy is a literal no-fly zone, credited with eight pass deflections and three interceptions. Out of 66 tackles, 38 were solo. Some say the strong safety is a potential sleeper for the 2026 NFL Draft due to his size, tackling, and, of course, play-making ability. Williams’ spatial awareness and great hands are a huge boon to the Rebels’ defense and could be a major headache if Carson Beck isn’t careful.
Miami Hurricanes
Carson Beck
Miami’s OC Shannon Dawson and Carson Beck silenced the haters in the CFP Quarterfinals, and here’s a big way they did it ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/VDrlxOD33R
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) January 7, 2026
Two games into the postseason, Carson Beck remains a steady hand at quarterback, putting up solid performances. He has continued to avoid making mistakes, completing 19 of 26 passes against Ohio State, including 13 in a row, and throwing for 138 yards and a TD. Gotta love the grit when your star QB runs for the first down and lowers the shoulder. Beck will need to keep it up to support a dominant defense that has done superbly in the playoffs.
Keionte Scott
PICK‼️ SIX‼️@KeionteS picks off Ohio State for a 70-YD touchdown to take a 14-0 lead
📺 ESPN x @CanesFootball x @CFBPlayoff
pic.twitter.com/uJ9DeEHuB1— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) January 1, 2026
That pick-six will forever be part of Miami’s rich lore. Keionte Scott’s interception not only gave the Hurricanes an early 14-point lead but set the tone for the rest of the game in a show of physicality. His return from what was a season-ending injury has been a huge boost for the team in the playoffs. During the regular season, Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin was rarely uncomfortable. Indiana changed that, and Miami replicated the success. Let’s see how he reacts to Ole Miss.
Akheem Mesidor
Future @Lions Akheem Mesidor pic.twitter.com/enBtiOUzV0
— MotorCityDraft (@MotorCityDraft) January 5, 2026
The other side of the dynamic duo with Rueben Bain Jr, Akheem Mesidor, was part of the relentless assault on Sayin, tallying five tackles and two sacks. Until now, the defense dealt with any mobile quarterback. Regardless, Chambliss is a capable individual vaguely similar to Cam Ward in that he knows how to keep a play alive and execute a first down. Mesidor and the others need to rattle his cage and make a statement in the early game as they did with Ohio State.
Mark Fletcher Jr.
Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr is the best blocking RB in College Football! Here’s why⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vw1PPIzsA1
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) January 6, 2026
A strong MVP candidate for the offense, Mark Fletcher, had another great performance, rushing for 90 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He lost the football during the first half of the quarter-final, although he redeemed himself later, catching a TD pass, set up by key third-down conversions courtesy of teammates. The Rebels aren’t known for their defense, so this presents a third opportunity for UM’s workhorse to shine.
Prediction
One more. One more win and the Hurricanes earn the right to play in the National Championship in front of the home crowd at Hard Rock Stadium. That’s crazy. The opportunity is theirs to take. This team believes in itself and has overcome two embarrassing losses and the criticisms that came with it to be within striking distance of capturing a title. With that said, Ole Miss will not go down easily. This could be a thrilling back-and-forth battle. The Cardiac Canes will emerge from the melee victorious. Final score: 31-23.
Eyes on the prize. 👀🏆 pic.twitter.com/WPfVpG13Bj
— Fiesta Sports Foundation (@Fiesta_Bowl) January 7, 2026
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