Fiesta Bowl/CFP semifinal No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: ESPN
Coaches: Mario Cristobal 34-18 at UM, (96-78 overall); Pete Golding 2-0
Line: Miami is favored by 3.5 points
Weather: Indoor stadium
Quick slant: The Hurricanes won an upset victory over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, while the Rebels pulled off an upset win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The two teams are facing off for the first time since 1951.
About No. 10 Miami (12-2): Miami dominated its two playoff games in the trenches, using a strong run game and dominant defense to shut down its opposition. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. has been the offensive key, notching 262 yards in two games.
About No. 6 Ole Miss (13-1): Ole Miss has been at the center of one of the wildest coaching changes in the sport’s history. Former coach Lane Kiffin left after he was linked to the LSU job for a long time. Pete Golding was installed as the new head coach and won two playoff games, but several members of the Rebels’ offensive staff have been pulling double-duty.
Three things to watch
1. The Hurricanes have been running a ground-and-pound offense through the playoffs. Quarterback Carson Beck is doing what is asked of him, but the Hurricanes are relying on the running game. Their three offensive touchdowns in the playoffs have been: a pop-pass to Malachi Toney against Texas A&M, a short pass to Fletcher against Ohio State and a short run by Marty Brown against the Buckeyes. Miami will likely try to control the game on the ground again.
2. Miami will need to affect Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He is a dual-threat quarterback who is hard to sack and rarely turns the ball over. Miami’s dynamic pass-rushers will need to not only flush Chambliss from the pocket but actually get him on the ground and create negative plays. If the Hurricanes merely pressure Chambliss, he can scramble and find an open receiver.
3. The Rebels’ coaching staff has been in flux since Kiffin left for LSU. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., who is calling plays for Ole Miss, spent part of Tuesday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recruiting transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt. Two Ole Miss assistant coaches, tight ends coach Joe Cox and wide receivers coach George McDonald, will not be with the team for the game. Golding has downplayed the chaos caused by the coaching changes and double-duty, but it could affect the Rebels’ readiness.
