CFP Quarterfinals Takeaways: Rebels With a Cause, Miami’s Winning Formula, and Previewing Mendoza–Moore II

It’s the morning after in college football, and I’ve got you covered with my biggest takeaways from the playoff quarterfinals. Can you believe that Miami or Ole Miss is going to be in the title game, and that Indiana is in the driver’s seat for its first national championship in program history? Neither can I. Let’s get to it.

Hats off to the Rebels: Pete Golding and Trinidad Chambliss have become the story of the playoff

Miami’s winning formula: How Carson Beck and Co. pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year against Ohio State

Previewing Fernando Mendoza vs. Dante Moore II: Breaking down what I’m seeing from the top 2026 QB prospects ahead of their Peach Bowl showdown next week

Let’s start here: Ole Miss AD Keith Carter deserves tons of credit for how he handled the drama surrounding Lane Kiffin’s exit after the Egg Bowl. Instead of acquiescing to Kiffin’s request to coach the Rebels during the playoff, Carter moved on from him and promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to HC. Letting Kiffin walk was the right long-term move for the school, but one that in the moment felt like it could jeopardize the Rebels’ playoff performance and sully the best season in program history. There were even people in this industry questioning whether the playoff committee would hold Kiffin’s absence against the Rebels. 

On Thursday against Georgia, Golding and Co. proved everyone wrong. Led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss—who finished 30-of-46 passing for 362 yards and two touchdowns—the Rebels overcame a 21-12 halftime deficit and outscored the Bulldogs 27-13 in the second half. Ole Miss rebounded from some major first-half blunders (including poor clock management at the end of the second quarter and a Kewan Lacy fumble-six), made adjustments, and absolutely dominated the third quarter against a Georgia team that typically comes alive later in games. 

Georgia tied this one with just under a minute to play and it looked like we’d be heading to OT, but Chambliss stepped up on the final drive, hitting De'Zhaun Stribling for a 40-yard completion to set up the game-winning field goal. It was a study in contrast compared to the last time the Rebels played Georgia, when Chambliss melted down in the fourth and the Rebels blew a two-score lead, resulting in their only loss of the season. 

What a statement win for Golding and this program. Golding had the help of some LSU assistants, but I guess the Rebels didn’t need Kiffin after all.

If you were following the show two weeks ago when we did our CFP quarterback confidence draft, I all but pounded the table for Carson Beck because of his extensive starting experience. His 2,881 career snaps entering the playoffs were the most of any QB in this year’s field, and I thought he could make a run similar to what we saw from Will Howard and Riley Leonard last season. So far, so good. 

On paper, Beck has been solid but not spectacular, throwing for 241 yards and two touchdowns across the Canes’ first two playoff games. But most importantly, he hasn’t turned the ball over and looks like a guy who’s learned from his mistakes. He trusts his run game led by Mark Fletcher Jr., leans on a dominant defense, and is playing within himself more than he has at any other point in his college career. Despite not putting up eye-popping numbers, he’s improving his draft stock with each game down the stretch of the season, and is a big reason why Miami is two wins away from its first national championship since 2001. 

Perhaps the even bigger story for Miami is that aforementioned defense, which put on the most vicious performance I’ve seen all season against Ohio State. The vaunted Buckeyes defense may be the best statistical unit in 15 years, but Corey Hetherman’s group was better on Wednesday night. 

Rueben Bain Jr. set the edge and disrupted Ohio State QB Julian Sayin all game. When it wasn’t him getting to Sayin, it was fellow 2026 draft prospect Akheem Mesidor. If it wasn’t those guys, it was DBs Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas forcing turnovers, or LB Mohamed Toure flying all over the field to make a play.

I can’t wait to see this group go up against Chambliss and Ole Miss next Thursday night. Expect fireworks.

Fernando Mendoza just keeps maturing

I went all in on Mendoza after the Ohio State win, and what I’ve seen from him since then has only strengthened his argument for QB1 in this class. I love how he’s handled the pressure of being the Heisman winner, how comfortable he is in his own skin during postgame interviews, and his leadership and toughness on the field. He was sacked on two of his first three dropbacks against Alabama, but came back to finish 14-of-16 passing for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ 38-3 rout of the Crimson Tide.

Sure, there are imperfections—I specifically want to see improvement when he’s facing pressure up the middle—but this guy has the answers to the test on nearly every play, he never winces or cowers, and he has the physical ability to be a high-level starter in the NFL. I’m seeing the maturation from a young man who used to make a lot of turnover-worthy plays into a guy who’s grown up and handled every on- and off-field pressure with grace, ease, and comfort. 

Mendoza’s a better prospect today than he was the last time Indiana played Oregon. If he’s grown substantially from then to now, just imagine how much he can continue to improve at the next level. 

Dante Moore is a tantalizing NFL talent

Moore was awesome early in the year, but he cooled off in the middle of the season in part because of injuries to some of his star receivers. Now it doesn’t seem to matter who’s wearing a Ducks helmet, as Moore completed passes to 11 different Oregon receivers against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl. He looked comfortable throughout the game despite taking some big hits and facing constant pressure from a Red Raiders front seven loaded with NFL talent. 

I think it will be in his best interest long term to return to school for one more year, but my stance has evolved on this subject throughout the season. Moore’s definitely more NFL-ready than I thought he would be two months ago, given his limited number of starts and that midseason lull in his play.

I’m on record saying I’d bet my first major decision on him if I was a GM, and I stand by that. Moore throws the most catchable, pillow-like ball in the country and leads receivers with ease. His game is just so pure.

If Moore leaves early for the NFL draft, it’s going to be a very interesting debate between him and Mendoza for QB1.

Indiana (60%)
Miami (20%)
Oregon (13%)
Ole Miss (7%)

Poll complete: 780 votes