Image Courtesy: WANE 15
Thursday, January 8
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
6.Ole Miss (13-1) vs. 10.Miami (12-2)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
The two most exciting stories of the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff will meet on Thursday night far from their southeast homes in Glendale at the Fiesta Bowls. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss are the only SEC representative in the CFP semifinals after avenging their loss to No. 3 Georgia from earlier in the season at the Sugar Bowl. Miami’s defense, headed by Rueben Bain Jr., Akeem Mesidor, and Keion Scott upset reigning national champion Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl.
Chambliss led the Rebels to victory over the Bulldogs by passing for 362 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receivers Harrison Wallace caught nine passes for 156 yards and one touchdown an De’Zhaun Stribling caught seven passes for 122 yards in the victory. Miami defensive backs Jakobe Thomas’ seven tackles and interception and Scott’s four tackles and pick six helped that helped the Hurricanes to a victory over the Buckeyes on New Year’s Eve.
Despite dealing with an injury entering the matchup against Georgia, tailback Kewan Lacy reached 98 yards and two scores. A second quarter fumble did not amount to any Bulldog points but facing a tough Miami defense, he must avoid turning the ball over if they want to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Linebackers Mesidor (2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss) and Bain Jr. (3 tackles, 1.5 tackle for loss, and 1 sack) will attempt to limit Chambliss and Lacy from having a successful game against the Hurricanes.
Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.carried the ball 19 times for 90 yards. He will have to run for a touchdown against the Rebels if they want a better chance of advancing to the national championship game. Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris totaled 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass defended, end Princewell Unanmielen got seven tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, and linebacker Suntarine Perkins got six tackles, two passes defended, and one sack.
Carson Beck threw for just 138 yards and a touchdown in their quarterfinal win over Ohio State. CJ Daniels caught five passes for 49 yards and Keelan Marion caught five passes for 36 yards. While they did not catch a touchdown but Fletcher Jr. caught a touchdown to extend their lead. Safety Wydett Williams Jr. and cornerback Jaylon Braxton led their defense against a strong Georgia offense and will have to do the same against the Hurricanes.
In what should be a back and forth game, a high scoring game would likely favor Ole Miss thanks to their efficient offense and a lower scoring game would likely favor Miami thanks to their impressive pass rush and secondary. The matchup between the Hurricanes offense and Rebels defense will be what determines who moves on to the national championship game. A win for the Hurricanes over the Rebels would send them back to home at Hard Rock Stadium. But Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense will be the first team to have success against Bain Jr. and the Miami defense and advance on to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Projected Score: Ole Miss 31, Miami 28
Friday, January 9
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
1.Indiana (14-0) vs. 5.Oregon (13-1)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
A Big Ten rematch will take place far from the midwest and west coast in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl. Both No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon dominated their competition in the quarterfinals. The Hoosiers eliminated No. 9 Alabama 38-3 at the Rose Bowl and the Ducks shut out Texas Tech 23-0 at the Orange Bowl. Now, Oregon will attempt to avenge their 30-20 loss to Indiana back on Oct. 11.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was impressive and efficient in Indiana’s 38-3 blowout of Alabama. He went completed 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns through the air. The trio of Charlie Becker (2 catches for 51 yards and 1 TD), Omar Cooper Jr. (3 catches for 45 yards and 1 TD), and Elijah Sarratt (4 passes for 40 yards and 1 TD) contributed to the Rose Bowl victory as well. Oregon freshman defensive back Brandon Finney Jr., starred with six tackles and two interceptions in their domination of Texas Tech.
The duo of running backs Kaelon Black, who rushed 15 times for 99 yards and a touchdown and Roman Hemby, who carried the ball 18 times for 89 yards and a score, helped the Ducks put the Red Raiders away in the Orange Bowl. The playmakers’ offensive line won the Rose Bowl Game’s offensive MVP. That is thanks to all of the time the line gave to Mendoza and holes made for Black and Hemby out of the backfield. Linebackers Bryce Boettcher (12 tackles) and Teitum Tuitoi (6 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss) against Texas Tech must play well if they want to get past the Hoosiers’ strong offensive line.
Indiana defensive backs Devan Boykin and Jamari Sharpe will be vital in stopping Oregon’s passing attack, led by quarterback Dante Moore, who threw for 234 yards and an interception against the Red Raiders’ tough defense. Avoiding turning the ball over and getting the ball to wide receivers Malik Benson, Jamari Johnson, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq will be important in avenging their loss earlier in the season against the Hoosiers.
Tailbacks Jordon Davison (42 yards and 2 TDs) and Noah Whittington (31 yards) will have to play much better on Friday against the Indiana’s strong defense. Linebackers Aiden Fisher (7 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss) and Rolijah Hardy (4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss) will attempt to stop the Ducks’ strong run game.
The all-Big Ten Peach Bowl means that the winner will be attempting to claim the conference’s third consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship. Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers have been the standard of the sport all season long and they will sweep Dan Lanning’s Ducks in what should be one of the best games of the season. With a victory, Indiana would look to finish the job by defeating the winner of No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 10 Miami in South Beach at the national championship game.
Projected Score: Indiana 27, Oregon 20
