Paul Finebaum declares Ole Miss 'America's Team' in College Football Playoff

Ole Miss secured a dramatic 39-34 victory over Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, after trailing 21-12 at halftime. This win marks Ole Miss's first-ever advancement to the CFP Semifinals, where they will face Miami for a spot in the National Championship game. The team's success comes amid significant changes, as Lane Kiffin departed his role as head coach following the regular season finale against Mississippi State to accept a position at LSU. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over as head coach, leading Ole Miss to victories over Tulane and Georgia in the playoff. Golding now holds the second-most CFP wins among SEC head coaches, just behind Georgia's Kirby Smart. A win against Miami would make Ole Miss the fourth SEC team to reach the National Championship Game in the CFP era, joining Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.