Miami vs. Ole Miss Prediction, Odds, CFP Semifinal Picks at Fiesta Bowl

For the second consecutive season, the second and third seeds in the CFP were eliminated. Miami and Ole Miss won in the quarterfinals and are now one game away from the national championship. Time to continue our college football quota series with Miami-Ole Miss CFP Semifinal on Fiesta Bowl Predictions and Picks.

Miami is now 12-2 on the season. It was a solid start with five straight wins, including losses to Notre Dame and South Florida, before their first loss. It was a three-point loss at home to Louisville. After the win over Stanford, the Hurricanes suffered their second loss of the season, falling to SMU. The team finished with four straight wins, including a 31-point win over Pitt to close out the regular season.

Despite missing the ACC title game due to a Game 5 loss to Duke, Miami earned a playoff berth. They went on to face Texas A&M in the first round, winning the game 10-3. The Hurricanes would then face Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl. Miami was once again dominant on defense. They intercepted Julian Sajin twice, including a Miami pick-six en route to a 24-14 victory, and a sweep of Ole Miss.

Ole Miss, meanwhile, is 13-1 on the campaign, coming off two CFP wins. They started 6-0 before falling to Georgia on the road by eight points. The Rebels then finished the season with five straight wins, including a loss to fellow CFP team Oklahoma. This would lead to a rematch from the previous season with Tulane in the first round. The Rebels dominated Tulane at home, winning 41-10. This would lead to another rematch for Ole Miss, when they faced Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl. Unlike the first game, Georgia built a lead in the first half with the help of a defensive touchdown, taking a 21-12 lead. Georgia gave up the lead in the fourth quarter, but tied it with 56 seconds left. The Rebels drove down the field and kicked a field goal with six seconds left, then added a safety en route to a 39-34 win.

These two teams have met three times in the past. Ole Miss won the first two games and Miami won the last meeting. However, the two victories for Ole Miss were in 1936 and 1940, while the victory in Miami was in 1951. The winner will go to the national championship game. Miami has won five national championships, the last being in 2001. They defeated Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl, which was the BCS National Championship game. They fell in the 2003 BCS title game to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, closing out the 2002 season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss won three national championships, the last coming in 1962.

college football betting odds courtesy of DraftKings.

Miami vs. Ole Miss Odds

Miami: -3 (-118)

Ole Miss: +3 (-102)

via: 51.5 (-115)

Under: 51.5 (-105)

Miami vs. Ole Miss Key Injuries

miami- VR Toni Johnson (Questionable), VR Dailin Upshaw (Out), TE Dylan Reiman (Out), TE Jackson Carver (Out), VR Chance Robinson (Out), DT Ahmad Moten Sr. (Questionable), CB Damree Brown (Questionable), CBKu OJ Fredericue (Gone)

Ole Miss- TE Hayden Bradley (Questionable), VR Samari Reed (Out), VR Caleb Cunningham (Out)

Miami vs. Ole Miss betting trends

– Miami is 9-5 against the spread this year. They’ve covered three straight and four of their last five, while also covering their only neutral site game.

– Ole Miss is also 9-5 against the spread. The Rebels have played in three straight and in their only neutral game.

– When he is a favorite, Miami is 6-5 against the spread. The Hurricanes have only played twice in their last five games as favorites. They have also lost twice as favourites.

– Ole Miss was the outsider only three times this year, with 2-1. When the team covered, they won the game.

– The bottom was the right side for Miami games in ten of 14 matches, and has scored in four of the last five games.

– Scored more in seven of 14 games for Ole Miss, but has scored just once in the last three games.

Keys to the Miami vs. Ole Miss Matchup

The key for Miami in this game is to run the game. The offense was one of the biggest in the FBS this year. they are 26th in points per game while sitting 50th in yards per game. The Hurricanes have been average on the field, ranking 69th against the run but 44th in passing. Carson Beck was terrific, passing for 3,313 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, the key to this game will be Mark Fletcher Jr. He ran for 947 yards with ten touchdowns this season. He also scored twice in the receiving game. He has been phenomenal in the last two games, rushing for 262 yards with 25 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.

The Ole Miss defense has been terrific this season. They are 39th in opponent points per game while 46th in opponent yards per game. Further, they are 39th against the pass, but just 66th against the run. The Rebels need TJ Dotteri to step up in the game. He led the team with 87 tackles, while having half a sack, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He was terrific in the playoffs with ten tackles and a forced fumble in two games.

Miami has been one of the best defensive units in the nation this year, which will make for an incredible matchup between them and Ole Miss’ top defense. They are ninth in points per game and second in yards per game. The Rebels are 31st in rushing yards per game and fourth in passing yards. Doc Trinidad Chambliss is seeking an additional year of eligibilityhe was sensational this year. He threw for 3,660 yards with 21 touchdowns while running for 520 yards and eight scores. He threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia.

Miami’s defense has been great this year. They are fourth in opponent points per game, while they are tenth in opponent yards per game. They are fourth against the run, while they are 44th against the pass. Star safety Jakobe Thomas will be a key player for Miami in this game. He is second on the team in tackles with 64. He also has 3.5 sacks, four pass breakups, five interceptions with a touchdown, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The Canes defender has 16 tackles, half a sack and a pick so far in the playoffs.

Miami vs. Ole Miss Prediction and Pick

Ole Miss was able to torch Georgia’s stout defense as Chambliss threw for two touchdowns before being sacked. Further, the offense was balanced by Kevan Lacy running for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Miami did two great things defensively against Ohio State, sacking Saini twice and sacking him five times. Chambliss has thrown three interceptions all season while being sacked at the seventh-lowest punt return rate in the country. He didn’t throw an interception while being sacked just once in the last three games. Ole Miss may be missing some helpersbut they will have their line and a star quarterback, which will be enough in this one, as well as over the hits.

Final Miami vs. Ole Miss Prediction and Pick: Ole Miss +3 (-102) and Over 51.5 (-115)