If you expected the first few rounds of this year’s College Football Playoffs to go the way of the chalk, as I did, then this side of your bracket is totally busted. The #10-ranked Miami Hurricanes will face the #6 Ole Miss Rebels in Thursday’s College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, with the winner going on to battle for the national championship. For my college football playoff predictions and best bets, we’re heading to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Let’s go get this money!
College Football Playoff Semifinals Predictions & Best Bets (Fiesta Bowl)
#10 Miami Hurricanes vs #6 Ole Miss Rebels
Start Time: Thursday – 7:30 PM EST
This was the argument for the creation of a college football playoff – to give more worthy teams a chance at a national title. And the Miami Hurricanes and the Ole Miss Rebels have made the most of their shot this year, with both just a win away from the championship game.
Both teams have shown this season and in the playoffs that there is more than one path to success, with the Rebels relying on a high-powered offense to get past #11 Tulane and #3 Georgia, while the Hurricanes have a rock-solid defense, which they rode to beat #7 Texas A&M and #2 Ohio State.
They say defense wins championships, and that’s what I’m counting on in this game. Miami is also favored based on the advanced stats, and they’ve played a stronger schedule than Ole Miss.
But it’s going to be close. My line is Miami -4, so I think the Hurricanes can cover for us.
Best Bet: Miami -3 (-120)
Miami vs Ole Miss Total
Let’s make a play on the total for Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl, as well. And if you are picking the Hurricanes to win, as I am, then it also makes sense to take the under on the game total.
Miami has been well under the 52.5-point total set for this game, with their first two playoff games combining for 51 points total. That includes a 13-point game in the opening round. And the high-powered Ole Miss squad was also under in one of their two playoff games.
Best Bet: Miami/Ole Miss Under 52.5 Points (-111)
Trinidad Chambliss Passing Yards
Finally, a player prop that might seem counterintuitive. I like Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to hit the over on his passing yards against the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday.
But hear me out. Even the Hurricanes’ tight defense gave up 287 passing yards to Ohio State’s Julian Sayin in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl. And despite only giving up three points to Texas A&M in the first round, their quarterback, Marcel Reed, still managed 237 yards.
Chambliss has topped 270 passing yards in five straight games and six of seven, including 362 yards in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinals.
Best Bet: Trinidad Chambliss 270+ Passing Yards (-105)
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