The 10th-ranked Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes will aim to continue their remarkable journey to the championship as they face the sixth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels in a 2026 College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. Miami pulled off an impressive upset against the defending national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, winning 24-14 on New Year’s Eve, while Ole Miss secured their spot by edging out Georgia 39-34 on New Year’s Day.

Both teams are in great shape, with Miami boasting a record of 12-2 (6-2 ACC) and six consecutive victories, in addition to an impressive 4-0 record against ranked opponents this season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss (13-1, 7-1 SEC) has also claimed seven wins in a row and holds a 2-1 record against ranked squads. The Ole Miss coaching staff is in transition, yet offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will remain on the sidelines to direct quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Miami is favored by 3 points, with the over/under for the total points set at 52.5. Recent statistics show the Under has been successful in five out of six games involving these teams.

SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the game 10,000 times and suggests that there will be more than 50% success for one side of the spread based on its computations. Both teams are also performing well against the spread recently, with each team holding a 3-0 record against the spread in their last three games.

Key Players:

• Carson Beck has completed 74.4% of his passes and thrown for 3,313 yards and 27 touchdowns this season.
• Kewan Lacy has recorded 1,464 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns in 14 games, including multiple notable performances.
• Trinidad Chambliss has shown his dual-threat capabilities, amassing both passing and rushing touchdowns this season.

For further predictions and insights into the Miami vs. Ole Miss matchup, visit the SportsLine site for comprehensive analysis, odds, and recommendations.