If you tuned in looking for an NFL game this past Thursday, you probably noticed the pro schedule was suspiciously empty. That’s because the NFL regular season has wrapped up, and Thursday Night Football has officially gone on hiatus until next fall. But for football fans, the real drama wasn't in the pros—it was in the desert. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the college football world took over the primetime slot with a massive CFP semifinal.
So, who won the Thursday night football game? The No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes pulled off a stunning 31-27 victory over the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels at State Farm Stadium.
It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Miami is heading back to the national championship for the first time since 2001. Honestly, if you blinked during the fourth quarter, you missed about three different lead changes. It was that kind of night.
The Wild Finish in Glendale
The game was a defensive slugfest for about three quarters. Miami’s defense, which has been basically a brick wall all season under coordinator Corey Hetherman, held Ole Miss to minus-1 yard early on. But then the fourth quarter happened. Things got weird.
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Ole Miss took a 27-24 lead with just 3:13 left on the clock. Trinidad Chambliss found Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown that felt like a dagger for the Canes. But Carson Beck—the same guy who won titles as a backup at Georgia—stayed cool. He marched Miami 75 yards down the field. With 18 seconds left, Beck scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown to seal it.
- Final Score: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27
- Key Player: Carson Beck (Miami) - 37-5 as a career starter
- The Hero: Malachi Toney, who took a screen pass 36 yards for a score earlier in the fourth
Why wasn't there an NFL game?
A lot of people were searching for "who won the Thursday night football game" expecting to see the Ravens or the Cowboys. It's kinda confusing because Amazon Prime usually owns that Thursday slot. However, once the NFL hits the playoffs (which started January 10), they ditch the Thursday games to give teams more recovery time.
The NFL Wild Card weekend actually kicked off on Saturday, not Thursday. We saw some massive upsets there too. The Houston Texans absolutely throttled Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers 30-6 on Monday night. That game effectively ended the Steelers' season and maybe Rodgers' career.
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What’s Next for the Winners
Miami’s win sets them up for a shot at the national title on their own home turf at Hard Rock Stadium. It’s a literal "coming home" story. For Ole Miss, it’s a heartbreaking end to an improbable run led by Pete Golding. They took down Georgia in the quarterfinals, but they just couldn't hold off the Hurricanes' final surge.
If you’re looking for more pro action, the NFL Divisional Round starts Saturday, January 17.
Upcoming NFL Matchups:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (Saturday)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Saturday)
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (Sunday)
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday)
Check your local listings for kickoff times as the bracket tightens up for the AFC and NFC Championships on January 25.
To stay ahead of the next big game, you should set your DVR for the Saturday triple-header and keep an eye on the injury reports for Josh Allen and Fred Warner, as both are currently "questionable" for the Divisional Round. If you're betting the spread, the Seahawks are currently 7.5-point underdogs against the Niners, which seems steep given how they've played lately.