At a Glance
- Ole Miss defeats Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl, securing a CFP berth.
- Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads Rebels after Lane Kiffin leaves for LSU.
- Rebels set to face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Jan. 8.
Why it matters: The win shows the team can thrive without its former coach and raises questions about how Chambliss will carry the momentum into the national title game.
Ole Miss overcame Georgia in a dramatic Sugar Bowl, setting the stage for a Fiesta Bowl showdown against Miami. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss emerged as the hero after coach Lane Kiffin departed for LSU. The Rebels now face the challenge of maintaining their CFP run without the coaching continuity many expected.
Kiffin’s Exit and Team Resolve
Lane Kiffin accepted LSU job Nov. 30 but was not allowed to coach Ole Miss in the postseason. He was introduced to LSU fans at a women’s basketball game by coach Kim Mulkey. He posted “Only two more to go.” on social media.
Lane Kiffin posted:
> “Only two more to go.”
Suntarine Perkins said:
> “Everybody stayed together and bought in and nobody got frustrated.”
Sugar Bowl Thriller
Rebels 13-1, No. 6 seed, beat Georgia 39-34. Georgia led 9-0 at halftime and was favored by a touchdown. Rebels rallied in the fourth quarter, with Chambliss throwing a deep pass for a 40-yard gain and Lucas Carneiro kicking a 47-yard field goal with 6 seconds left. The defense held Georgia to a tying field goal with 55 seconds remaining.
- 3rd-and-5 from own 30: Chambliss → 40-yard to De’Zhaun Stribling.
- 47-yard field goal by Lucas Carneiro with 6 seconds left.
- Safety on kickoff final seconds.
Chambliss vs. Beck: Two Paths
Chambliss rose from Division II Ferris State to Ole Miss after injury to Austin Simmons. He nearly quit football for Division III basketball before leading Ferris State to a national title. Meanwhile, Miami’s Carson Beck, a high-profile transfer from Georgia, helped the Hurricanes win CFP games against Texas A&M and Ohio State. Both quarterbacks now aim for a national title.
| Team | Record | Seed |
|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | 13-1 | 6 |
| Miami | 12-2 | 10 |
Trinidad Chambliss said:
> “Sometimes I’ve got to pinch myself.”
Trinidad Chambliss added:
> “I never really thought I’d get to this point, to be honest, because I did have some doubt at Ferris State if football is really for me.”
Key Takeaways
- Ole Miss’ Sugar Bowl win cements CFP berth.
- Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is the unexpected star.
- Miami’s Carson Beck faces Ole Miss in a title-deciding matchup.
With the Rebels eyeing a Fiesta Bowl victory, the stage is set for a showdown that could define the 2024 college football season.
