The 2026 College Football Playoff delivered one of the most memorable postseason runs in recent history, culminating in Cincinnati's thrilling 38-35 victory over Ole Miss in a national championship game that will be talked about for generations.
First Round Surprises
The opening round of the twelve-team playoff brought immediate drama and heartbreak. Oklahoma, despite their record-breaking season behind Gavin Sawchuk's 43 rushing touchdowns, saw their championship hopes evaporate in a stunning first-round exit. With highly-touted freshman quarterback Juan Madden set to take the reins next season, what could possibly go wrong?
UAB's playoff dreams ended in equally dramatic fashion, with a missed field goal in the closing seconds ending their championship aspirations. The Blazers' first-round exit marked a bitter end to an otherwise remarkable season.
Tennessee advanced past Memphis in a game whose specific details have been lost to technical difficulties in the official record-keeping system. Those in attendance speak of a raucous Neyland Stadium atmosphere potentially playing a crucial role in the outcome, though the exact statistics remain shrouded in mystery.
Quarter-Finals: Neutral Site Battles
Cincinnati 31, Tennessee 28
In a neutral site quarterfinal, Cincinnati continued their perfect season with a nail-biting victory over Tennessee. The Bearcats showed their championship mettle, overcoming early adversity to secure their spot in the semifinals. Darius Taylor's 106 yards and a touchdown on the ground proved crucial, while Brendan Sorsby maintained his composure in pivotal moments.
Ole Miss 34, Temple 31
Ole Miss survived a fierce challenge from Temple in their quarterfinal matchup. The Rebels' explosive offense, led by record-breaking receiver Levi Payton, overcame a 21-14 Temple lead with a dominant third quarter surge. Ole Miss's ground game proved decisive, accumulating 223 yards in the victory.
Semi-Final Dominance
The semi-finals saw both Cincinnati and Ole Miss flex their muscles against traditional powers. Cincinnati dismantled Ohio State in a statement victory that silenced any remaining doubters, while Ole Miss continued their offensive explosion in a decisive win over Georgia.
The National Championship: Cincinnati 38, Ole Miss 35
With FAU Coach Chef Breezy vocally supporting Ole Miss from the stands, the championship game delivered an instant classic that featured multiple lead changes and dramatic momentum swings.
First Quarter (Ole Miss 7, Cincinnati 10)
Cincinnati's opening drive ended in disaster when Ole Miss returned an interception for a touchdown. The Bearcats responded with poise, securing a field goal on their next possession. Cincinnati then returned the favor with a pick-six of their own on Ole Miss's ensuing drive.
Second Quarter (Ole Miss 21, Cincinnati 17)
Just before halftime, Dakarai Anderson electrified the crowd with a kickoff return touchdown. Ole Miss mounted a crucial drive in the closing seconds, converting a fourth-and-goal as time expired to take momentum into the break.
Halftime
The halftime show featured a controversial rap performance that drew unexpected criticism from Tennessee's coach, who publicly pined for "the golden age of David Allen Coe and Conway Twitty", stating that "There's no place for this kind of behavior in football." Civil rights activists have noted these comments for further examination.
Third Quarter (Ole Miss 21, Cincinnati 24)
Cincinnati's defense shut down the Ole Miss attack while adding a crucial rushing touchdown to take the lead heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter (Cincinnati 38, Ole Miss 35)
The final quarter produced fireworks worthy of a championship game. Ole Miss orchestrated a methodical, clock-consuming drive to retake the lead. Cincinnati answered when Brendan Sorsby found freshman sensation Cam Chavous for an 80-yard touchdown on a broken play. Ole Miss responded with another time-consuming drive to go ahead with just 1:02 remaining.
Sorsby led Cincinnati's championship-winning drive, finding Chavous again for a crucial reception down to the one-yard line. A series of precise clock management plays later, Cincinnati had secured their perfect season and national championship.
The Aftermath
Cincinnati's Coach Bofa DaNutz didn't mince words after the victory: "We own the SEC. We own Ole Miss. Those are our little brothers. Sad we had to put them down again on the big stage."
Ole Miss's Coach Harry Beevar remained defiant in defeat: "We're reloading not rebuilding, so I have no doubt we'll be back next season. I saw we had Temple on the schedule for the 2027 season, so there are some cupcake teams out there who are going to get stomped on this revenge tour."
Cincinnati's perfect 16-0 season, achieved in their first SEC campaign and capped with a national championship, will be remembered as one of college football's greatest achievements. The emerging rivalry between DaNutz and Beevar, with their contrasting styles and memorable postgame exchanges, promises to deliver more classic encounters in the seasons to come.
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