The U is back. Seriously.
No. 10 Miami has made its way to the national championship game after a thrilling 31-27 win over No. 6 Ole Miss. This victory marks Miami’s third consecutive win against higher-ranked opponents in the College Football Playoff.
Miami staged an impressive comeback, moving down the field for 75 yards in 15 plays. Quarterback Carson Beck dashed in the game-winning touchdown from just 3 yards out with only 18 seconds left on the clock.
The Hurricanes are set to face the winner of No. 5 Oregon and No. 1 Indiana for the championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
“We never flinched,” Beck stated after the game. “When faced with challenges, we stepped up.”
Ole Miss had been on a remarkable journey after the departure of head coach Lane Kiffin, who left for LSU on November 30. Under the leadership of newly promoted head coach Pete Golding, they secured two playoff wins but ultimately fell to the Hurricanes.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who previously played at Division II Ferris State, completed 23 of 37 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown. However, a last-second throw into the end zone was incomplete, ending their hopes.
Golding expressed pride in his team, emphasizing, “This group created a legacy for this program.”
On the field, Miami dominated with their ground game, racking up 191 rushing yards over 51 attempts. They controlled the clock, keeping the ball for over 41 minutes, while Ole Miss managed just 18 minutes.
Beck, who had previously played at Georgia, threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, along with his game-winning run. This playoff series has been remarkable for Miami, especially considering they were a last-minute addition to the postseason rankings.
Miami began their playoff run with an upset over No. 7 Texas A&M, and then took down defending champions Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Their title game appearance will be their first since the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, where they lost to the Buckeyes in overtime. They haven’t secured the national championship since the 2001 season.
As Miami inches closer to the championship, fans are buzzing on social media. Many are reminiscing about the team’s past glory years and expressing excitement about the potential return to dominance.
This remarkable journey through the College Football Playoff is not just a testament to the team’s skill but also reflects the shifting dynamics of college football. With underdogs rising and former champions struggling, the landscape continues to evolve.
For additional insights on trends in college football, see this report from ESPN.
