Mississippi lawmakers are back at the state capitol for the 2026 session, and of course, there are a lot of bills being discussed. But another hot topic throughout both chambers is Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl between Ole Miss and Miami.
The Senate even took some time on Tuesday, upon gaveling in, to ask God for a Rebel victory. Jonathan Vazquez, a preacher at Bethlehem Church in Potts Camp, gave the opening invocation and prayed, “We dedicate this session to you, Lord. Lead us, guide us, and keep us in your grace. And in your word, you reveal yourself as the one with power over storms, so I’m going to ask you to weaken the Hurricanes and bless the Rebels. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As the Southeastern Conference’s slogan goes, one that’s quite fitting in this case, “It Just Means More.”
The Mississippi Senate opened the 2026 session with a prayer to “weaken the Hurricanes and bless the Rebels” ahead of Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff game against Miami. pic.twitter.com/9b9OgZYUXT
— SuperTalk News (@SuperTalkNews) January 8, 2026
Lawmakers, preachers, and thousands of Rebel fans watching Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl are hopeful a higher power will be on their team’s side when the ball is spotted against Miami. The winner of the game will advance to next week’s national championship, a matchup that will be against the winner of Indiana and Oregon.
The Fiesta Bowl kicks off Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations and on ESPN. Miami is a 3.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM.
SuperTalk Mississippi News’ Fiesta Bowl coverage is supported by Barnes Crossing Auto Group, Pileum, Good Hope Land & Timber, Mississippi Hospital Association, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Yuengling.