Whie losers to the Bulldogs during the regular season, the Rebels began to take control in the third quarter thanks to quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who finished with 362 yards and two touchdowns.
Even with Kiffin off to LSU, the offense totaled with 473 yards on 6.5 yards per play.
Defensive back Tony-Louis Nkuba #21 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates by jumping into an inflatable bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes after intercepting a pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 31, 2025 in El Paso, Texas
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
Tony the Tiger stands on the field after the coin toss before a football game between Duke and Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
(Gaby Velasquez/ El Paso Times)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) greats the Pop-Tarts mascots before the Pop-Tarts Bowl against the BYU Cougars at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Pop-Tarts mascots celebrate with BYU Cougars after beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Pop-Tarts mascots celebrate with BYU Cougars after beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl mascots perform on the field before a game between the Michigan Wolverines and Texas Longhorns at Camping World Stadium.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
Louisville Cardinals players celebrate after defeating the Toledo Rockets in the Boca Raton Bowl at Flagler CU Stadium.
(Jeff Romance, Jeff Romance-Imagn Images)
Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch holds the LA Bowl championship belt presented by Rob Gronkowski after defeating the Boise State Broncos at SoFi Stadium.
Musical artist/rapper Snoop Dogg holds the championship trophy after the Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks 18-3 to win the 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.
(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)
Actor Keegan-Michael Key receives the game coin prior to the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Toledo Rockets at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on December 23, 2025 in Boca Raton, Florida.
(Leonardo Fernandez, Getty Images)
Comedians Theo Von, left, and Nate Bargatze watch from the sidelines during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl between Iowa Hawkeyes and Vanderbilt Commodores at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Head coach Jeff Traylor of the UTSA Roadrunners is doused with water by Jamel Hardy #13 during the fourth quarter against the FIU Panthers in the 2025 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on December 26, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
(Sam Hodde, Getty Images)
Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken gets splashed with Powerade after Army beat UConn 41-16 in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park.
(Danny Wild, Danny Wild-Imagn Images)
Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green is doused after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
Northwestern Wildcats players dump Gatorade on head coach David Braun of the Northwestern Wildcats after defeating the Central Michigan Chippewas in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
(Getty Images)
Head coach John Hauser of the Ohio Bobcats is doused with water after winning the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl at Ford Center on December 23, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
(Tim Heitman, Getty Images)
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott is doused with Gatorade after winning the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium Saturday December 27, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. Virginia defeated Missouri 13-7.
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)
Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz is doused with gatorade after defeating the Miami (OH) RedHawks during the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Head coach Clay Helton of the Georgia Southern Eagles receives a Powerade dunk after winning the JLab Birmingham Bowl by beating the Appalachian State Mountaineers 29-10 at Protective Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Jason Clark, Getty Images)
Interim Head Coach Terry M. Smith of the Penn State Nittany Lions lifts the championship trophy following the game against the Clemson Tigers during the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
(Evan Bernstein, Getty Images)
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) and head coach Kalani Sitake are presented a large pop-tart to eat after they beat the against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Camping World Stadium.
(Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
Ken Seals #9 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with teammates after defeating the USC Trojans in the game at the Alamodome on December 30, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
Head coach Willie Fritz of the Houston Cougars celebrates with the Texas Bowl Trophy after defeating the Louisiana State Tigers during the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Conner Weigman #1 of the Houston Cougars is named Texas Bowl MVP during the Kinder's Texas Bowl against the Louisiana State Tigers at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
Maverick McIvor #7 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts as he recieves the MVP trophy after his team defeated the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to win the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on December 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
Old Dominion Monarchs hoist the Cure Bowl trophy after beating the South Florida Bulls at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Jacksonville State Gamecocks running back Khristian Lando (22) hoists the trophy as Troy Trojans take on Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated Troy Trojans 17-13.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)
Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green raises the championship trophy after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
Micah Alejado #12 of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors holds up the Hawai'i Bowl Championship trophy after winning the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl over the California Golden Bears at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on December 24, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
(Darryl Oumi, Getty Images)
NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren receives the trophy after beating Memphis Tigers in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
1/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Defensive back Tony-Louis Nkuba #21 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates by jumping into an inflatable bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes after intercepting a pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 31, 2025 in El Paso, Texas
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
1/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Defensive back Tony-Louis Nkuba #21 of the Arizona State Sun Devils celebrates by jumping into an inflatable bowl of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes after intercepting a pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl game at Sun Bowl Stadium on December 31, 2025 in El Paso, Texas
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
2/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Tony the Tiger stands on the field after the coin toss before a football game between Duke and Arizona State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
(Gaby Velasquez/ El Paso Times)
3/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) greats the Pop-Tarts mascots before the Pop-Tarts Bowl against the BYU Cougars at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
4/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Pop-Tarts mascots celebrate with BYU Cougars after beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
5/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Pop-Tarts mascots celebrate with BYU Cougars after beating Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
6/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl mascots perform on the field before a game between the Michigan Wolverines and Texas Longhorns at Camping World Stadium.
(Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)
7/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Louisville Cardinals players celebrate after defeating the Toledo Rockets in the Boca Raton Bowl at Flagler CU Stadium.
(Jeff Romance, Jeff Romance-Imagn Images)
8/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch holds the LA Bowl championship belt presented by Rob Gronkowski after defeating the Boise State Broncos at SoFi Stadium.
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Musical artist/rapper Snoop Dogg holds the championship trophy after the Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the Miami (OH) RedHawks 18-3 to win the 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona.
(Chris Coduto, Getty Images)
10/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Actor Keegan-Michael Key receives the game coin prior to the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Toledo Rockets at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on December 23, 2025 in Boca Raton, Florida.
(Leonardo Fernandez, Getty Images)
11/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Comedians Theo Von, left, and Nate Bargatze watch from the sidelines during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl between Iowa Hawkeyes and Vanderbilt Commodores at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
12/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Head coach Jeff Traylor of the UTSA Roadrunners is doused with water by Jamel Hardy #13 during the fourth quarter against the FIU Panthers in the 2025 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on December 26, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
(Sam Hodde, Getty Images)
13/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Army Black Knights head coach Jeff Monken gets splashed with Powerade after Army beat UConn 41-16 in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park.
(Danny Wild, Danny Wild-Imagn Images)
14/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green is doused after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
15/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Northwestern Wildcats players dump Gatorade on head coach David Braun of the Northwestern Wildcats after defeating the Central Michigan Chippewas in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
(Getty Images)
16/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Head coach John Hauser of the Ohio Bobcats is doused with water after winning the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl at Ford Center on December 23, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
(Tim Heitman, Getty Images)
17/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Virginia Cavaliers head coach Tony Elliott is doused with Gatorade after winning the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium Saturday December 27, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. Virginia defeated Missouri 13-7.
(Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union)
18/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz is doused with gatorade after defeating the Miami (OH) RedHawks during the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl at Casino Del Sol Stadium.
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
19/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Head coach Clay Helton of the Georgia Southern Eagles receives a Powerade dunk after winning the JLab Birmingham Bowl by beating the Appalachian State Mountaineers 29-10 at Protective Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama.
(Jason Clark, Getty Images)
20/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Interim Head Coach Terry M. Smith of the Penn State Nittany Lions lifts the championship trophy following the game against the Clemson Tigers during the 2025 Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2025 in New York City.
(Evan Bernstein, Getty Images)
21/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) and head coach Kalani Sitake are presented a large pop-tart to eat after they beat the against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Camping World Stadium.
(Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
22/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Ken Seals #9 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with teammates after defeating the USC Trojans in the game at the Alamodome on December 30, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
23/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Head coach Willie Fritz of the Houston Cougars celebrates with the Texas Bowl Trophy after defeating the Louisiana State Tigers during the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
24/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Conner Weigman #1 of the Houston Cougars is named Texas Bowl MVP during the Kinder's Texas Bowl against the Louisiana State Tigers at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
(Tim Warner, Getty Images)
25/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Maverick McIvor #7 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts as he recieves the MVP trophy after his team defeated the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to win the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on December 23, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
26/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Old Dominion Monarchs hoist the Cure Bowl trophy after beating the South Florida Bulls at Camping World Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
27/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Jacksonville State Gamecocks running back Khristian Lando (22) hoists the trophy as Troy Trojans take on Jacksonville State Gamecocks during the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated Troy Trojans 17-13.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser)
28/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Interim head coach Drew Svoboda of the North Texas Mean Green raises the championship trophy after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 49-47 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
(Sam Wasson, Getty Images)
29/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
Micah Alejado #12 of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors holds up the Hawai'i Bowl Championship trophy after winning the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl over the California Golden Bears at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on December 24, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
(Darryl Oumi, Getty Images)
30/30
Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths
NC State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren receives the trophy after beating Memphis Tigers in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Key factors for Miami
Now the Hurricanes will face the same challenge of slowing Ole Miss. Whether Miami advances to the championship game depends on two factors: its ability to command the ball on offense and whether its defensive line can dominate for the second game in a row.
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Offensively, the Hurricanes will look to establish the run behind junior Mark Fletcher Jr. and a rapidly improving front. If successful, a solid running game opens things up for senior quarterbackCarson Beck, who played things safe against theBuckeyesand was without an interception for the fifth time in six games.
On defense, Miami's defensive front has the potential to give the Rebels fits and take over the Fiesta Bowl. This group bullied the Buckeyes' offensive line and fazed a normally unflappable Julian Sayin, who had his worst game since the season opener against Texas.
How Ole Miss beats Miami in Fiesta Bowl
But based on its play against No. 11 Tulane and Georgia, Ole Miss could make the Hurricanes one-dimensional by limiting Fletcher's impact. While hit or miss during the regular season, the Rebels' run defense held theGreen Waveto 115 yards and the Bulldogs to 124 yards, both on 3.4 yards per carry.
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Slowing down the Hurricanes' ground game will place pressure on Beck to deliver through the air against a pass defense that ranked first in the SEC during the regular season in opposing completion percentage (56.2) and gave up only 6.4 yards per attempt.
Whether Ole Miss can protect Chambliss is likely one of the game's deciding factors. The Rebels have given up 18 sacks in 14 games and held the Bulldogs to just three tackles for loss. The Hurricanes added five sacks against OSU and now has a Bowl Subdivision-best 46 on the year.
Trinidad Chambliss is Fiesta Bowl's key player
Chambliss's mobility will help. The senior is able to keep plays alive with his legs and make plays on the move, occasionally tucking and running to extend drives. He has run for 520 yards, second on the team, and eight scores.
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If able to get into a rhythm, Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacey and Ole Miss will be hard to keep under wraps. One factor that played into Miami's hands in the Cotton Bowl was Ohio State's tendency to play at a much slower tempo than Ole Miss. The Rebels often sprint to the line as soon as a play ends and look to snap the ball soon after.
So Miami has to disrupt that rhythm by winning on first down and setting Chambliss into longer third-down conversions. But even that isn't a sure thing. Heading into the Sugar Bowl, the senior led the SEC with a 154.3 efficiency rating on third down.
