The College Football Playoff semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is shaping up to be a wild ride. No. 10-seeded Miami Hurricanes (12-2) are set to face the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (13-1) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
This one kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Winner moves on to the national championship. Both teams have battled through a tough season, so expectations are sky-high for this matchup.
Miami Hurricanes: A Season of Resilience
The Hurricanes have put together a pretty remarkable 12-2 season. Their path to the semifinals? Nothing short of dramatic.
They knocked off Texas A&M 10-3 in the CFP first round, then pulled off a 24-14 win over the No. 2-seed Ohio State Buckeyes. Miami came in as 7.5-point underdogs but their defense stepped up big time.
Key Metrics and Performance
Miami’s success really comes down to their numbers on both sides of the ball. They’ve rattled off six straight wins, which says a lot about their ability to handle pressure.
Over their last three games, they kept Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Pitt to a combined 24 points. Those opponents are all ranked in the top 21 for NCAA-I scoring, so that’s no small feat.
- Defense: Miami’s defense has been locked in, holding both the Aggies and Buckeyes under 300 yards of total offense.
- Turnovers: The Hurricanes have 25 takeaways, good for ninth in FBS, and their offense has coughed it up just 13 times.
- Red-Zone Efficiency: They’ve got a slight edge in the red zone, which could be huge if this one gets tight.
Ole Miss Rebels: Offensive Powerhouse
Ole Miss finished 13-1, which is flat-out impressive. Their journey to the semis included a wild 39-34 win over No. 3 Georgia, where they came in as +6.5 underdogs.
The Rebels’ offense is a machine—10th in the nation, averaging 37.6 points per game. That’s been the heartbeat of their season.
Offensive Strengths
They’ve scored 30 or more in seven straight games since that 43-35 loss to Georgia back in October. And in the CFP first round, they steamrolled Tulane 41-10.
Ole Miss can put up points in a hurry, which always keeps things interesting.
- High-Scoring Offense: Averaging 37.6 points per game, they’re one of the nation’s best.
- Recent Performance: Seven consecutive games with 30+ points—enough said.
- Explosiveness: This offense is dangerous and can flip the script with just one play.
Historical Matchups
These two teams have only met three times before, with Ole Miss taking two of those. The last matchup was way back in 1951, so yeah, this is a rare one.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Per BetMGM Sportsbook, here’s how the odds are shaping up:
- Moneyline (ML): Miami -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Ole Miss +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Miami -3.5 (-105) | Ole Miss +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Expert Picks
Miami’s defense and knack for forcing turnovers give them a real shot at covering the -3.5. Their ability to shut down plays at the line may slow down Ole Miss’s big-play offense.
Still, Ole Miss has been lighting up the scoreboard lately, so the Over 52.5 looks tempting. Both teams have reliable kickers, and you get the feeling this could turn into a shootout.
Final Thoughts
This College Football Playoff semifinal between the Miami Hurricanes and Ole Miss Rebels should be a wild ride. Both teams have a lot going for them, so honestly, it feels like a toss-up.
Miami’s defense is tough and loves to force turnovers. On the other side, Ole Miss brings a high-powered offense that can put up points in a hurry.
If you want a deep dive or some betting tips, you can check out the full article on SportsbookWire.
Just a quick reminder—gambling always comes with risk, so don’t go overboard. Enjoy the game, and hey, may the best team pull it off!
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