Overview
- Miami clinched its berth with a 31–27 Fiesta Bowl win over Ole Miss, as Carson Beck threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns and scored the decisive 3-yard run with 18 seconds left.
- The Hurricanes will be the first team of the BCS/CFP era to play a national championship in their home stadium, with the Jan. 19 game at Hard Rock Stadium against Indiana or Oregon.
- Back in Coral Gables on Friday, Miami began preparations and, as the lower seed, will be the designated visiting team, is expected to use its regular locker room, and will take the opposite sideline.
- Under first-year coordinator Corey Hetherman, the defense surged to fourth nationally in points allowed and 11th in total yards after sitting mid-pack last season.
- Cristobal’s program overhaul since 2021 has yielded steady improvement and a 13–2 season, while an on-air exchange showed Nick Saban questioning some first-half decisions from the semifinal.