After 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks combined in College Football Playoff wins at Texas A&M and against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Miami could have its biggest test against Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on Thursday night.
Rueben Bain had eight tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks in the first two rounds of the CFP. Akheem Mesidor had 10 tackles. 3.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks combined versus Texas A&M and Ohio State. Playing against elusive Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss should be the biggest test for Bain and Mesidor in 2025.
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss presents a big challenge
In the Pro Football Focus Fiesta Bowl preview, Dalton Wasserman asked, "Can Miami’s elite pass rush rattle Trinidad Chambliss?" Wasserman noted that Miami is tied for the national lead with a 92.2 PFF pass-rush grade, is first nationally with a 61.3 pass rush win rate and third with a 39.6 pressure rate.
Bain and Mesidor combined for 33 pressures against Texas A&M and Ohio State. Miami is eighth nationally with 95 tackles for loss and first with 46 sacks. Bain and Mesidor have combined for 28.5 TFLs and 19.0 sacks in 2025.
"Chambliss has been outstanding all season from within the pocket and when asked to improvise under pressure. He will face his greatest challenge yet against Miami’s elite pass rush."Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus
Wasserman detailed that Chambliss is first in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a 79.0 PFF grade under pressure in 2025. Chambliss has one of the quickest releases nationally, averaging 2.59 seconds to throw.
Mississippi is 49th, allowing 4.93 TFLs and 18th, permitting 1.29 sacks per game. Chambliss also has 520 rushing yards and eight TDs in 2025. In the CFP, Chambliss has completed 70.7 percent of his pass attempts for 644 yards and three TDs and has 50 rushing yards and two more scores.
Miami has experience playing a mobile QB in the CFP first round against Marcel Reed of Texas A&M. Reed completed 25 passes in 39 attempts for 239 yards with no TDs and two interceptions and ran 15 times for 27 yards. Reed finished the season with 12 interceptions. Chambliss has only thrown three interceptions in 2025.