Ole Miss stunned Georgia in the Sugar Bowl
Miami rolled Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl as a 9.5-point underdog
Miami is a 3.5-point favorite over Ole Miss
The Miami Hurricanes have found themselves at the right time, beating Ohio State last week to earn their ticket to the semifinal. They’ll face Ole Miss and are expected to win.
However, the Rebels have caught fire since Lane Kiffin left the program, taking down Georgia as a touchdown underdog last week. Very few people expected this semifinal matchup, which should make for an entertaining game.
This bowl game kicks off the semifinal slate. Here, we will break down the matchup and give our pick for the contest on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | +138 | +3.5 (-114) | Over 51.5 (-115) |
| Miami | -164 | -3.5 (-114) | Under 51.5 (-105) |
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My Pick: Miami -3.5 (-114) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Ole Miss beat Georgia in a very uncharacteristic way in the Sugar Bowl. Georgia was the better overall team, but the best player on the field was Trinidad Chambliss.
Chambliss was a magician for the Rebels, converting on third down and making off-platform throws through Georgia’s secondary. The quarterback will need to perform similarly in this game because Miami has a stronger defense than Georgia.
The Hurricanes also have a two-way edge on the line of scrimmage. Miami will be able to stop Kewan Lacy’s rushing attack, and they should have a solid game running the ball.
Carson Beck is the difference maker in this game. If the Hurricanes play their usual game, they won’t need Beck to make many big throws.
However, if this game is close, Beck’s experience could be the difference and help Miami win comfortably. I’m leaning toward Miami because their edges in this game should be too much for the Hurricanes to handle.
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Ole Miss boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the country, consistently ranking near the top of the SEC in total production. The Rebels average over 530 yards per game, showing balance with a high-powered passing attack complemented by a physical rushing game.
Their offense thrives on tempo, led by Chambliss, which often torments defenses. Chambliss has been a significant strength, as Ole Miss moves the ball efficiently and doesn’t make mistakes.
The rushing attack is equally dangerous, even though they should have a tough time running on Miami. Ole Miss’ balance makes the Rebels difficult to defend, as opponents can’t sell out to stop just one phase of the offense.
Ole Miss routinely scores 40-plus points, putting constant pressure on opposing offenses to keep up, and this is the formula for success against Miami.
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Miami enters this game with a strong balance. They have a run-heavy offense and a physical defense.
The Hurricanes average just over 30 points per game, leaning on a physical rushing attack that consistently controls tempo and keeps the offense ahead of the chains. Their ground game is what will decide the Fiesta Bowl.
At quarterback, Miami plays clean football behind Carson Beck. He limits turnovers and distributes the ball effectively to a versatile group of skill players. However, they need to focus on the ground game against Ole Miss.
Defensively, the Hurricanes are the foundation of the team. They allow roughly 13 points per game, so it’s hard to lose. If the offense scores 20, which is doable against Ole Miss, Miami should coast to a cover.
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Ole Miss
Cedrick Beavers (CB) - Out (undisclosed)
Raymond Collins (LB) - Out (undisclosed)
John Wayne Oliver (OL) - Out (undisclosed)
Miami
Malik Bryant (LB) - Out (undisclosed)
Daylyn Upshaw (WR) - Out (undisclosed)
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When: Thursday, January 8 @ 7:30 PM EST
Where: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
How to Watch: ESPN
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