Campus Chaos: Miami Stuns Kyle Field, Oregon and Ole Miss Cruise to Quarterfinals

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The first full day of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff delivered on its promise of high-stakes drama and historic atmospheres. From a rain-slicked defensive slugfest in College Station to an offensive masterclass in the Pacific Northwest, Saturday redefined the postseason landscape. While three seeds protected their home turf, one established power fell to a resurgent “U,” setting the stage for a star-studded Quarterfinal round on New Year’s Eve.

The Slugfest in College Station: #10 Miami 10, #7 Texas A&M 3

In what will be remembered as the grittiest game in recent playoff history, the Miami Hurricanes silenced 108,000 fans at Kyle Field with a performance built on defensive discipline and old-school rushing. The first half was a historical anomaly—the first scoreless first half in the history of the College Football Playoff—as swirling winds and elite defensive line play made every yard a battle. Hurricanes kicker Carter Davis struggled in the conditions, missing three field goals that left Miami fans on edge for three quarters.

The deadlock finally broke in the fourth quarter when Mark Fletcher Jr., who finished with a career-high 172 rushing yards, ignited a drive that reached the red zone. Freshman Malachi Toney redeemed an earlier drop by hauling in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Carson Beck with less than two minutes remaining. The Aggies had one final chance to force overtime, driving to the Miami 5-yard line, but quarterback Marcel Reed was intercepted in the end zone by Bryce Fitzgerald to seal the upset. Miami now advances to the Cotton Bowl to face defending champion Ohio State.

The Golding Era Begins: #6 Ole Miss 41, #11 Tulane 10

Despite the distraction of Lane Kiffin’s late-season departure for LSU, the Rebels looked entirely unfazed in their postseason debut under interim-turned-head-coach Pete Golding. Ole Miss used a blistering first-quarter surge to demoralize the Green Wave, scoring two touchdowns in the first eight minutes to establish a lead they would never relinquish. The victory secured the first 12-win season in the storied history of Ole Miss football.

Trinidad Chambliss was the engine of the Rebel attack, accounting for 318 total yards and three touchdowns, moving past Eli Manning for the sixth-most total yards in a single season at Ole Miss. Running back Kewan Lacy added 87 yards and a score, though he left the game late with a shoulder injury that fans will be monitoring closely. The Rebels’ defense harassed Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff all afternoon, recording four sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. Ole Miss now prepares for a heavyweight clash against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

The Autzen Explosion: #5 Oregon 51, #12 James Madison 34

In Eugene, the Ducks reminded the nation why they were considered a fringe top-four seed for much of the season. Quarterback Dante Moore delivered a virtuoso performance, tying an Oregon postseason record with five total touchdowns (four passing, one rushing) as the Ducks raced out to a 48-13 lead midway through the third quarter. Moore’s opening 41-yard strike to Jamari Johnson set the tone for a night where Oregon’s speed simply overwhelmed the Sun Belt champions.

While James Madison showed immense heart by outscoring Oregon 21-3 in the final 20 minutes, the outcome was never truly in doubt after a blocked punt return by Jayden Limar made it a five-score game. Head coach Dan Lanning called the finish “bittersweet” due to the late defensive lapses, but the Ducks achieved their primary goal: advancing to the Orange Bowl to face the high-flying Texas Tech Red Raiders.

The Quarterfinal Picture is Set

Matchups	Venue	Date
#9 Alabama vs. #1 Indiana	Rose Bowl	Jan 1, 2026
#10 Miami vs. #2 Ohio State	Cotton Bowl	Dec 31, 2025
#6 Ole Miss vs. #3 Georgia	Sugar Bowl	Jan 1, 2026
#5 Oregon vs. #4 Texas Tech	Orange Bowl	Jan 1, 2026