The Fiesta Bowl was an instant classic as the Hurricanes head to the CFP finals with a narrow win over Ole Miss.
Blowouts? We’re talking about blowouts? That certainly was not the case in a CFP semifinal between the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes and No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels that became an instant classic. With four lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl was the most exciting College Football Playoff game in recent memory. The Hurricanes narrowly beat the Rebels 31-27 in a thrilling Thursday night battle and will head home for their first shot at a national title since 2001.
It was an incredible game that illustrated the chaos of this sport at its peak. The madness of college football was perfectly exemplified by a No. 10 team who wasn’t in the 12-team field until the final CFP rankings knocking off a team who suddenly became somewhat of the darlings of the sport – or at least a literary foil to Lane Kiffin’s villain. Led by Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss gave Miami its best punch, but Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck didn’t flinch and showed off his experience winning two national titles.
Here is the full story from Miami Roundtable writer Anthony Aguirre on the thrilling semifinal and how it unfolded for the Hurricanes.
Beck completed 23-of-37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He was absolutely clutch in the final scoring drive for the Hurricanes that he capped off with a three-yard rushing touchdown – his second of the season. Now, Miami will become the first team in the Bowl Championship Series/College Football Playoff era to play for a national title in its home stadium against the victors of the Peach Bowl on Friday night between the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 5 Oregon Ducks.