If you were watching the Fiesta Bowl last Thursday, you probably still haven't caught your breath. The final score of Miami Hurricanes vs. Ole Miss—a heart-pounding 31-27 victory—didn't just punch a ticket to the National Championship. It basically announced to the entire country that the "U" is officially back. Honestly, it was one of those games where the box score doesn't even come close to telling the real story.
Miami entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 10 seed, a spot that had plenty of talk radio hosts complaining for weeks. They called the Hurricanes a "controversial" pick. Well, after shutting down Texas A&M 10-3 and then outlasting Ohio State 24-14, the doubters started to get a little quieter. But the showdown in Glendale against No. 6 Ole Miss was the real test.
How the Score of Miami Hurricanes Ended Up on Top
The fourth quarter was absolute chaos. For three quarters, Miami's defense, which has been arguably the best in the nation this year, kept the Rebels' high-octane offense in check. Then, the floodgates opened. Ole Miss took a late lead after Trinidad Chambliss found Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown with just over three minutes left. At that point, the score of Miami Hurricanes was trailing, and it looked like the Cinderella run was over.
But Carson Beck had other ideas.
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The Miami quarterback, who has been the steady hand all season, drove the team down the field with ice in his veins. With only 18 seconds remaining on the clock, Beck scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown. That final play sealed the 31-27 win. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Beck finished with 268 yards and two touchdowns, while Mark Fletcher Jr. ground out a massive 133 yards on the ground.
Breakdown of the Recent Miami Scores
If you've been following the Hurricanes' path through the 2025-26 postseason, it looks like a gauntlet of college football royalty.
- CFP First Round: Miami 10, Texas A&M 3. A defensive masterclass at Kyle Field that proved Miami could play "ugly" and still win.
- Cotton Bowl (Quarterfinal): Miami 24, Ohio State 14. This was the game where the country realized the Hurricanes' defensive front was legitimate.
- Fiesta Bowl (Semifinal): Miami 31, Ole Miss 27. The most recent score of Miami Hurricanes that set up a home-state title game.
Hard Rock Stadium Awaits
The win sets up a dream scenario. On Monday, January 19, 2026, the Hurricanes will play No. 1 Indiana for the National Championship. The game is happening at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Basically, the Canes are playing for their first title since 2001 in their own backyard.
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Indiana is coming off a massive 56-22 blowout against Oregon in the Peach Bowl, so the Hurricanes' defense is going to have its hands full. The Hoosiers look like a juggernaut, but Miami has already knocked off the No. 2, No. 6, and No. 7 teams in the country during this playoff run.
Don't Forget the Court
While the football team is making history, the Miami Hurricanes basketball team is also on a tear. On Saturday, January 10, the men's team took down Georgia Tech 91-81. Tre Donaldson was the star of that show, dropping a career-high 27 points. They are currently 14-2 overall and 3-0 in the ACC, which is kinda flying under the radar because of the football hype.
The women's team has had a bit more of a rollercoaster week, beating Florida State 89-73 but dropping a tough one to Louisville 77-68 earlier in the month.
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What This Means for Miami Fans
This isn't just about one score. It's about a total shift in the program's trajectory. Under Mario Cristobal, the identity has shifted from "flash and dash" to "physical and relentless." They’re winning games in the trenches.
If you’re looking for actionable ways to follow the upcoming National Championship, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Betting Lines: Miami opened as a slight underdog against Indiana, which is familiar territory for them this postseason.
- Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on the health of the offensive line; they’ve been banged up after the physical battle with Ole Miss.
- Ticket Market: Prices for the game at Hard Rock are already reaching record highs. If you aren't already a season ticket holder, expect to pay a massive premium on the secondary market.
- TV Coverage: The game will be on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET on January 19.
The most important thing to watch is how the Miami defense handles Indiana's tempo. If the Hurricanes can keep the score low like they did against Texas A&M and Ohio State, they have a real shot. If it becomes a shootout like the fourth quarter of the Fiesta Bowl, it’ll be a much tougher road to the trophy.
The score of Miami Hurricanes games this year has consistently defied the "experts" who thought the ACC was too weak to produce a champion. Now, there is only one game left to prove them all wrong.