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The Rebels and Canes meet in Glendale for a title game spot.

What to watch in the Fiesta Bowl: Ole Miss' title hopes head to the desert against Miami originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Fiesta Bowl features two teams that few expected to advance this far in the College Football Playoff. And yet, here we are, as No. 10 Miami and No. 6 Ole Miss meet in the desert on Thursday night. Both teams have faced adversity, and both have earned the right to be playing one another.

For Miami, simply making the playoff was unexpected. Many believed the Hurricanes should have been left out, with Notre Dame advancing instead. For Ole Miss, the program appeared to be in complete disarray after Lane Kiffin departed for SEC rival LSU just before the playoff began. His exit left more questions than answers, and many wondered whether the Rebels could overcome the distraction.

But amid all the noise surrounding both teams, they responded with wins and earned their place in the semifinals, one victory away from the national championship game.

For the U, it’s all about the defense

Miami’s season — and its playoff run — has been defined by defense. The Hurricanes have proven that defense travels, defeating Texas A&M in a 10-3 slugfest before following it up with a 24-14 win over Ohio State. What has stood out most is their ability to dismantle elite offensive lines and pressure quarterbacks. In those two wins, Miami recorded 12 sacks — seven against Texas A&M and five more versus Ohio State.

Leading the way are Rueben Bain Jr. and Ahkeem Mesidor, two projected first-round picks in next year’s NFL Draft. Bain was a wrecking ball against Texas A&M, registering three sacks, and added another against Ohio State. With opponents constantly double-teaming and chipping Bain, Mesidor has taken advantage. He tallied 1.5 sacks against Texas A&M and added two more against Ohio State.

That consistent pressure has paid dividends for Miami’s secondary, which has become opportunistic.

The Hurricanes have four interceptions in two playoff games. Cornerback Keionte Scott returned a pick 72 yards for a touchdown against Ohio State, while freshman Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted two passes in the win over Texas A&M.

Miami’s defense has also excelled against the run, holding Texas A&M to 89 rushing yards and Ohio State to just 45. The front seven will need to be equally dominant against Ole Miss, which has surpassed 111 rushing yards in each of its playoff games.

Offense looking to break out

While Miami’s defense has carried the spotlight, the offense has been solid but not spectacular.

Quarterback Carson Beck, the $6 million Georgia transfer, has taken care of the football, but Miami will eventually need explosive plays downfield. Beck is coming off his best playoff performance, throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State. However, he has yet to throw for more than one touchdown in a playoff game.

Getting receivers Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels more involved will be key.

The bright spot offensively has been running back Mark Fletcher Jr. He rushed for 172 yards against Texas A&M, with 130 coming in the second half, and followed that with 90 yards against Ohio State. Fletcher has yet to score a rushing touchdown in the CFP, though he did catch a nine-yard touchdown pass against Ohio State.

Beyond the numbers, his pass protection has been vital. Fletcher is a true three-down back who contributes as a runner, receiver, and blocker.

Ole Miss ignoring the distraction

Many expected Lane Kiffin’s departure to derail Ole Miss, but instead it appears to have galvanized the Rebels. They are playing their best football of the season, averaging 40 points per game in two playoff wins.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been sensational, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns in a thrilling 39-34 win over Georgia. The Division II transfer from Ferris State followed that with a 282-yard performance against Tulane.

Chambliss spreads the ball around, but his favorite target has been Harrison Wallace, who exploded for nine catches and 156 yards against Georgia. De’Zhaun Stribling added seven catches for 122 yards. Running back Kewan Lacy continues to shine, rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia after totaling 87 yards and a score versus Tulane. He now faces a Miami defense that has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher in the CFP.

Ole Miss defense must step up

Ole Miss’s biggest concern remains its defense. The Rebels allowed 34 points to Georgia, with running back Nate Frazier rushing for 86 yards at 5.7 yards per carry. If Fletcher and Miami can establish the run, it could tilt the game in the Hurricanes’ favor.

Ole Miss has struggled to pressure quarterbacks, recording just three sacks in two playoff games, though it has produced 15 tackles for loss.

If the Rebels can contain Fletcher and force Miami into passing situations, the pressure will fall squarely on Beck. When under duress, Beck has struggled; in Miami’s two losses this season, he threw a combined six interceptions. If the Hurricanes are forced to win through the air, that could play into Ole Miss’s hands.

What happens when all is said and done

Ole Miss has endured a chaotic few weeks, but the turmoil appears to have unified and energized the team. If the Rebels can control the ground game and force turnovers, they have a strong chance to leave the Fiesta Bowl victorious.

If Miami’s defense delivers for a third straight game and the offense does just enough, the Hurricanes could be heading home with a trip to the national championship on the line.