Pete Golding stands at the same crossroads as the Georgia week.
Almost every Sugar Bowl prediction you saw had Georgia as the predicted winner; the Rebels weren't just underdogs—they were afterthoughts in a bracket meant for blue bloods.
It didn't take them too long to prove every last shred of that false with the eviscerating of the Bulldogs in a 39-34 roller coaster game.
The rub? The "underdog" tag still follows the Rebels as they head into the Fiesta Bowl semi finals with Miami.
Vegas hasn't quite gained the trust in the elite QB Trinidad Chambliss, or the one-of-the-best offenses, or even the so-much-improved defense.
According to FanDual odds as of January 4, 2026, Miami is the clear, heavy 2.5-point favorite over the Rebels.
With an over/ under of 51.5, the moneyline for the Miami is at -154.
Why the odds do and do not make sense
After the Georgia win, there should absolutely no reason to doubt Golding's coaching abilities.
Even in the highest-stakes match he has ever coached in, the way Golding handled the roller coaster that the fourth quarter was better than many college football head coaches could.
That should put any concerns for Ole Miss at ease.
The only thing that sounds concerning for Golding at this point is some of his assistants leaving for LSU.
How Golding deals with the vacant positions will be what everyone will be on the lookout for.
Despite that, there are chances that Golding and Weis Jr. combo should manage just fine.
The only thing they would need to take care of would be Miami's offense. Carson Beck will be a much more explosive than Georgia's offense, which is why Ole Miss's defense will need more work this time, besides Chambliss, Lacy, and Carneiro's magic.