by William Burns
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025
#10 Miami Hurricanes .
After "upsetting" the likes of Texas A&M at Kyle Field just a week and a half ago, Miami travels three hours north of College Station to Arlington, Texas for this highly anticipated Cotton Bowl. The Hurricanes are a decent sized underdogs for this Quarterfinals matchup and that's what was expected as Miami is second best in almost every stat in this contest against Ohio State. If the Hurricanes can neutralize the Buckeyes offense and can move the ball themselves, there's going to be a game on our hands. Winning the field position war and the turnover battle is going to be key. The offense must be better than last week though.
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes .
Ohio State's loss against Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game kind of reminds me of its loss against Michigan in the final weekend of the regular season last year. What did the Buckeyes go on to do? Win the National Championship. Don't get me wrong, the teams most definitely is talented enough to repeat a playoff performance of last year. But, do they have enough experience and big game mental strength? We'll just have to wait and see. Julian Sayin's been one of the best QB's all year long. Let's see how he performs under the bright lights when it matters the most.
Game Prediction: 23-10 Ohio State.
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#5 Oregon Ducks .
I'm quite intrigued with this Oregon team this season. I love the offense and the defense has showed promise in some of the bigger games this season. Yes, allowing 34 points last weekend wasn't exactly pretty, and most of those points came pretty late. But, the mixed attack of both the rushing game and the passing attack makes the Ducks dangerous for any team in the country. I believe that if the Ducks can get past Texas Tech on New Year's Day, they have a real shot at beating the winner of Indiana/Alabama and advancing to the CFP Finals.
#4 Texas Tech Red Raiders .
Texas Tech has proven time and time again that it's one of the best teams in the nation. The offense is electric and the defense is absolutely top tier as well. The Red Raiders did lose against Arizona State earlier this year which is not the greatest of losses. But, they bounced back with six consecutive wins and have one of the best linebackers, if not the best in the entire country in Jacob Rodriguez. The winner of this game will most definitely be capable of an upset in the next round.
Game Prediction: 34-27 Oregon.
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#9 Alabama Crimson Tide .
Roll Tide. That's what Crimson Tide fans were yelling after the first round playoff comeback against Oklahoma. I had Alabama in that game and to be completely honest, I was not impressed with the performance until the 2nd half. Bama was quite fortunate to be in that game considering how the 1st half played out. There were multiple opportunities missed by the Sooners and that's what kept it close enough. However, I'm not counting out the tide on Thursday. They aren't the smartest of teams. But, this is Alabama at the end of the day. It gets the best athletes and when two powerhouses go at it, anything can happen. The Tide are definitely talented enough.
#1 Indiana Hoosiers .
Despite the perfect season, a lot of people still seem to be underestimating the Indiana Hoosiers. & if I'm being completely honest, I am not completely sold either. I do believe that Indiana's more than capable of winning this game and the next given how good this coach has proven to be That being said, I also think that Fernando Mendoza is one of the worst heisman winners over the past decade and that this team was very fortunate to have this perfect record this season. An upset could be brewing in this game if Bama shows up. But, if not, Indiana should win by double digits.
Game Prediction: 27-23 Alabama .
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#6 Mississippi Rebels .
Ole Miss completely dominated Tulane for the second time this season in its first playoff game. Given the point spread in that game, that was the most expected outcome. That being said, this is a completely different test for the Rebels, playing against a conference opponent that's already beaten them this season. As a matter of fact, that loss for Ole Miss was its only loss suffered this season. There's definitely the "it's hard to beat a team twice" saying going around. But, will the Rebels have the mentality to get back at the Bulldogs with a new head coach that's just a game into his career? I'm not so sure.
#3 Georgia Bulldogs .
Georgia comes into the CFB Quarterfinals as the best team out of the SEC Conference after completely annihilating Alabama in the SEC Championship game. The Bulldogs don't light up the stats and don't care about anything but winning. Kirby Smart is a known dominant head coach with National Titles left right and center. He's definitely capable of leading this group to another one this season. I believe that the Bulldogs have as good of a chance as anyone to win it all and their playoff campaign starts on Thursday.
Game Prediction: 34-17 UGA .
After "upsetting" the likes of Texas A&M at Kyle Field just a week and a half ago, Miami travels three hours north of College Station to Arlington, Texas for this highly anticipated Cotton Bowl. The Hurricanes are a decent sized underdogs for this Quarterfinals matchup and that's what was expected as Miami is second best in almost every stat in this contest against Ohio State. If the Hurricanes can neutralize the Buckeyes offense and can move the ball themselves, there's going to be a game on our hands. Winning the field position war and the turnover battle is going to be key. The offense must be better than last week though.
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes .
Ohio State's loss against Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game kind of reminds me of its loss against Michigan in the final weekend of the regular season last year. What did the Buckeyes go on to do? Win the National Championship. Don't get me wrong, the teams most definitely is talented enough to repeat a playoff performance of last year. But, do they have enough experience and big game mental strength? We'll just have to wait and see. Julian Sayin's been one of the best QB's all year long. Let's see how he performs under the bright lights when it matters the most.
Game Prediction: 23-10 Ohio State.
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#5 Oregon Ducks .
I'm quite intrigued with this Oregon team this season. I love the offense and the defense has showed promise in some of the bigger games this season. Yes, allowing 34 points last weekend wasn't exactly pretty, and most of those points came pretty late. But, the mixed attack of both the rushing game and the passing attack makes the Ducks dangerous for any team in the country. I believe that if the Ducks can get past Texas Tech on New Year's Day, they have a real shot at beating the winner of Indiana/Alabama and advancing to the CFP Finals.
#4 Texas Tech Red Raiders .
Texas Tech has proven time and time again that it's one of the best teams in the nation. The offense is electric and the defense is absolutely top tier as well. The Red Raiders did lose against Arizona State earlier this year which is not the greatest of losses. But, they bounced back with six consecutive wins and have one of the best linebackers, if not the best in the entire country in Jacob Rodriguez. The winner of this game will most definitely be capable of an upset in the next round.
Game Prediction: 34-27 Oregon.
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#9 Alabama Crimson Tide .
Roll Tide. That's what Crimson Tide fans were yelling after the first round playoff comeback against Oklahoma. I had Alabama in that game and to be completely honest, I was not impressed with the performance until the 2nd half. Bama was quite fortunate to be in that game considering how the 1st half played out. There were multiple opportunities missed by the Sooners and that's what kept it close enough. However, I'm not counting out the tide on Thursday. They aren't the smartest of teams. But, this is Alabama at the end of the day. It gets the best athletes and when two powerhouses go at it, anything can happen. The Tide are definitely talented enough.
#1 Indiana Hoosiers .
Despite the perfect season, a lot of people still seem to be underestimating the Indiana Hoosiers. & if I'm being completely honest, I am not completely sold either. I do believe that Indiana's more than capable of winning this game and the next given how good this coach has proven to be That being said, I also think that Fernando Mendoza is one of the worst heisman winners over the past decade and that this team was very fortunate to have this perfect record this season. An upset could be brewing in this game if Bama shows up. But, if not, Indiana should win by double digits.
Game Prediction: 27-23 Alabama .
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#6 Mississippi Rebels .
Ole Miss completely dominated Tulane for the second time this season in its first playoff game. Given the point spread in that game, that was the most expected outcome. That being said, this is a completely different test for the Rebels, playing against a conference opponent that's already beaten them this season. As a matter of fact, that loss for Ole Miss was its only loss suffered this season. There's definitely the "it's hard to beat a team twice" saying going around. But, will the Rebels have the mentality to get back at the Bulldogs with a new head coach that's just a game into his career? I'm not so sure.
#3 Georgia Bulldogs .
Georgia comes into the CFB Quarterfinals as the best team out of the SEC Conference after completely annihilating Alabama in the SEC Championship game. The Bulldogs don't light up the stats and don't care about anything but winning. Kirby Smart is a known dominant head coach with National Titles left right and center. He's definitely capable of leading this group to another one this season. I believe that the Bulldogs have as good of a chance as anyone to win it all and their playoff campaign starts on Thursday.
Game Prediction: 34-17 UGA .
