Miami Takes on Ole Miss in College Football Playoff Semifinal
No. 10 seed Miami and No. 6 seed Ole Miss kick off in the Fiesta Bowl 2026 on Thursday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with the winner advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Both teams are making their debut runs in the College Football Playoff, with high hopes of reaching college football’s ultimate stage. Ole Miss advanced to the playoff semifinals following a dominant 41-10 first-round victory over No. 11 Tulane and an thrilling 39-34 upset over No. 3 Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Miami, meanwhile, pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, defeating No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic after a 10-3 first-round win at No. 7 Texas A&M.
Contrasting Playing Styles Set to Clash
The ole miss miami matchup presents a classic clash of philosophies. Ole Miss brings a dynamic offensive attack led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacey, while Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has built his team around a stifling defense featuring stars Reuben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott. The Rebels’ high-flying offense will test the Hurricanes’ stringent defense in what promises to be a compelling semifinal showdown.
Ole Miss has already broken the school record with 13 wins and sits closer than ever to capturing the program’s first solo national title. Miami has exceeded preseason expectations, sneaking into the playoff and navigating perhaps the most difficult postseason path to reach the semifinals. The Hurricanes are the only team in the four-seed bracket, making their championship run even more remarkable.
Game Time and How to Watch
For fans wondering what time does ole miss play today, the ole miss vs miami game time is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The um game will be televised exclusively on ESPN, with coverage available through WatchESPN and ESPN Radio for those unable to watch live.
The um vs ole miss contest marks just the third meeting between these programs. Ole Miss leads the all-time series 2-1, with the teams last facing off in 1951 when Miami posted a 20-7 victory. This game will be far more consequential than any previous encounter, as what time is the ole miss game becomes one of the most anticipated events in college football.
Road to the Semifinals
Both squads have proven they belong among the nation’s elite. Ole Miss’s 13-1 record includes wins over multiple ranked opponents, while Miami’s 12-2 mark represents a significant achievement given their competitive conference and playoff path. The winner of this the fiesta bowl matchup will face either Indiana or Oregon in the national championship game.
