This Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl will feature two of the most surprising teams in the College Football Playoffs, as No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels will be taking on No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. Few people would expect either of these teams to make it to the semifinal round of the CFP, especially with all the drama surrounding these teams, but here they are, in the final four.
Both teams are coming in with their own strengths and weaknesses, but which team has the edge? Which team is hungrier and more eager to prove the doubters wrong? Both teams have made it this far and eager to make it to the national title game, but only one can make it out of Glendale with a ticket to the final.
Miami Hurricanes Strengths And Weaknesses
Miami surprised many when they were even announced as one of the final 12 teams for the College Football playoffs, with their selection sparking outrage for many who felt other schools such as Notre Dame should have been included instead of the Canes. However, those opinions might have lit a spark in the team as they demolished one opponent after another in the CFP, including No. 2 Ohio State.
Miami also has a very good defense that could disrupt Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss and his passing game, and offensively, their ground game is very good and have one of the best turnover margins in college football. However, the team is also prone to slow starts, which means an explosive team that likes to start strong might be able to blitz them early on. That team just happens to be Ole Miss.
Ole Miss Rebels Strengths and Weaknesses
Right now, the Rebels have been proving that they do not really need Lane Kiffin to make it to the national title game, and the team has been determined to make their old coach regret leaving them, dominating Tulane before edging out No. 3 Georgia.
They have one of the most explosive starts in college football, and it all begins with Trinidad Chambliss, who can pile on the pressure early on and possibly leave Miami in the dust. However, they also have been known for a lackluster defense against rushing, something the Canes can exploit. Despite this, the Rebs have proven that they could control some of the best rushing teams in the NCAA, as they did against Georgia.
Tactical Edge In The Fiesta Bowl
As for the tactical edge right now, both teams have the tools, the motivation and the momentum, but Ole Miss has a slight tactical edge right now heading into the Fiesta Bowl. Not only are the players hungrier, they love to start strong and possibly leave Miami behind if the Canes are not careful.
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