Who will Ole Miss play next? Explaining the 2026 CFP bracket opponent for semifinals originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The SEC showdown in the Sugar Bowl was one for the ages.
After falling behind 21-12, Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss put together a 22-3 run to take the lead and survived a late push by Georgia to win on a last-minute field goal.
The Rebels are headed for the College Football Playoff semifinals against all odds, meaning college football will have some fresh blood lifting the championship trophy in Miami. To get there, Ole Miss will have to play in the Fiesta Bowl.
Here’s what to know about the opponent awaiting Ole Miss in the CFP semifinals.
MORE:Picks, predictions against the spread for CFP quarterfinals
College Football Playoff bracket 2026
SN AWARDS: 2025 All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
Who will Georgia or Ole Miss play next?
Ole Miss will face off with No. 10 Miami, which landed its second upset in as many games in the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Eve, downing No. 2-seeded Ohio State 24-14.
The Hurricanes’ vaunted defense proved pivotal to the victory, with Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott wreaking havoc on the reigning champion’s attack. Coupled with timely interventions from Carson Beck, Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Toney, Mario Cristobal’s side secured arguably the biggest upset in CFP history.
MORE: Ranking the eight remaining CFP teams
When will Ole Miss play again?
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 8
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Ole Miss will continue its playoff run against Miami at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The Fiesta Bowl, a CFP semifinal game, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
College Football Playoff schedule 2026
| Date | Round | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| Dec. 19 | First Round | No. 9 Alabama 34,No. 8 Oklahoma 24 | 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
| Dec. 20 | First Round | No. 10 Miami 10, No. 7 Texas A&M 3 | Noon | ABC/ESPN |
| Dec. 20 | First Round | No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No. 11 Tulane 10 | 3:30 p.m. | TNT/truTV |
| Dec. 20 | First Round | No. 5 Oregon 52, No. 12 JMU 35 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT/truTV |
| Dec. 31 | Quarterfinals | No. 10 Miami 24, No. 2 Ohio State 14 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 1 | Quarterfinals | No. 5 Oregon 23, No. 4 Texas Tech 0 | 12 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 1 | Quarterfinals | No. 1 Indiana 33, No. 8 Alabama 3 | 4 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 1 | Quarterfinals | No. 6 Ole Miss 37, No. 3 Georgia 34 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 8 | Semifinals | No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 9 | Semifinals | No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Jan. 19 | National Championship | TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
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