As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the excitement builds for a historic matchup between Ole Miss and Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl. Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, this game marks a significant moment as both teams vie for their first-ever appearance in the national championship game. Interestingly, this is the first meeting between these schools since 1951, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.
Fans can catch the action live on ESPN, where live stats will also be available.
In terms of performance in primetime games, Miami holds a solid record of 6-1, with its only defeat coming against Louisville. Notably, most of their games have been tightly contested, with several decided by just one possession in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss isn’t far behind, boasting a perfect 5-0 record in primetime games. However, they’ve found themselves trailing towards the end during their last two contests against Florida and Georgia.
The game will be played in a dome, but remarkably, State Farm Stadium features a retractable grass field, which could play a role in the performance of the teams. Ole Miss has thrived on grass, with an impressive 11-1 record this season on that surface, similar to Miami’s strong 10-2 record. Both teams have primarily played on natural grass in their respective home stadiums, adding a bit of familiarity to the conditions.
A few compelling storylines are worth noting as the matchup approaches. Miami enters the game seeking to break a frustrating streak, having lost all four of its previous appearances in the Fiesta Bowl, with their last defeat occurring in 2003. For Ole Miss, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss brings postseason experience from his time at Ferris State, where he led his team to a national championship last year. Meanwhile, Miami’s quarterback, Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia, has experience against Ole Miss, having faced them twice before with split results.
On the ground, Miami boasts running back CharMar Brown, who also has a championship background from his time with North Dakota State, where he was awarded the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS freshman of the year.
With a spot in the national championship game on the line, the stakes are high for both teams. The winner of this semifinal will face either Indiana or Oregon in the Peach Bowl, intensifying the anticipation of a thrilling encounter. This Fiesta Bowl is shaping up to be a memorable night for college football fans, with a chance to witness a pivotal moment in the journey for both Ole Miss and Miami.