Eight teams remain for the 2025 season. College football A playoff in which the top four seeds will take the field for the first time since the conference championship weekend. “It's also the season for an extensive slate of bowling games, so there's no shortage of predictions and tips to get while you're making your final online shopping decisions.
Does anyone else have a perfect first round playoff bracket? I won't be patting myself on the back for long given there are some amazing quarter-final matches ahead, including a pair that will cause national awe if the underdogs win. One of the most intriguing remaining tilt features. Indiana Kurt Cignetti, who plans to lean on lessons learned from Nick Saban in an attempt to thwart Alabama.
In addition to the CFP Cotton, Orange, Sugar and Rose bowls next weekend, there are 24 additional bowl games scheduled through Jan. 2. Arizona And SMU This is the last postseason game before the playoff semifinals at Fiesta and Peach Bowls on Jan. 8-9, with the winners advancing to the national championship game on Jan. 19 in Miami.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl: Miami Vs. Ohio -9.5 (December 31)
Hammer (Miami +9.5): I'm not going to pick Miami to upset the national title pick. But it's a very attractive phrase for a Miami cover. Ohio State can usually stifle opponents with its line play and speed on the outside. That won't happen for Miami, a team with one of the best lines and passing groups in the FBS. I certainly have more confidence in Ohio State's offense in this matchup, but even this unit has a question mark after how it struggled against Indiana. It would be a close contest for most of the day, but the Buckeyes would pull away in the second half. … Ohio State 27, Miami 20.
Crawford (Miami +9.5): Should I stay with the Hurricanes with a win over Miami on the line? Texas A&M? I'm not ready to go against my pick for the national championship just yet, but Mario Cristobal's defense could create a number of problems for the team. Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes passing game. Miami stumped the Aggies with a variety of looks and constantly frustrated Marcel Reed is a film that Ryan Day and his staff will be studying closely ahead of this match. Outside of a potential rematch with Indiana in the national championship game, this may be the toughest test Ohio State faces in the tournament bracket. This matchup could look a lot like the Big Ten Championship Game: a 12-round contest dictated by defense and timely stoppages. … Ohio State 20, Miami 14.
Orange bowl: Oregon -1.5 vs. Texas Tech (January 1)
Hammer (Texas Tech +1.5): The most interesting match of the semi-final, at least for me. This game pits Texas Tech's elite seven against Oregon's incredible speed. It will also be interesting to see how Texas Tech adjusts to a different quality of opponent than what they've seen week after week in the Big 12. On paper, these teams are equal. They rank first nationally in explosive plays over 20 yards. They are also tied for fourth nationally in defense. Texas Tech has four future draft picks in the draft. Oregon's online channel has several upcoming drafts. Expect Oregon to knock the ball out Dante Moorethe hands are quick to try to take advantage of the playmakers in space. Expect Texas Tech to do the same. This game will be close. But I'll choose the Red Raiders. I think they are a little better in the trenches and making enough big plays to be successful. … Texas Tech 21, Oregon 20.
Crawford (Texas Tech +1.5): After winning 4-0 in the first round, my only change to the bracket from filling out before the playoffs came in the quarterfinals between Oregon and Texas Tech. With Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders given nearly a month to prepare for Oregon's offense, we were able to see one of the best defenses in the country operating at the peak of its powers at AT&T Stadium. There is always some concern that Beren Morton may be struggling at a tough time given the number of losses Texas Tech has suffered against Big 12 opponents this season, but the Red Raiders are built to beat a team like Oregon. This is a second half performance against James Madison should have been a wake-up call for the Ducks. Another performance like this against an elite opponent like Texas Tech could result in a lopsided finish. … Texas Tech 30, Oregon 24.
Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Indiana -6.5
Hammer (Alabama +6.5):Imagine explaining this phrase to someone three years ago, before Nick Saban retired. But as Curt Cignetti would tell you, “Google me.” Indiana is the deserved favorite in this matchup, and as always with Alabama, it will largely depend on how Ty Simpson plays. The Tide may struggle to run the ball – ranking 72nd in the country in success rate – and Indiana owns a top-10 run defense. That means Simpson will have to bear the burden. He can do that, but Indiana is also a great pass defender and has one of the most efficient offenses in the country. This is a brutal matchup for Alabama, which will need to play near-perfect football, something it hasn't done consistently this season. Still weird to write, but give me Hoosiers. They've been the most consistent team all year and that's important. …Indiana 27, Alabama 24.
Crawford (Indiana -6.5): If there's a chance for another playoff exit in the quarterfinals, it could happen here for the Crimson Tide. There isn't a matchup in this game that an Alabama fan would consider favorable against a Heisman winner and a strong defensive group, but perhaps Kalen DeBoer can thrive as an underdog again. His teams consistently responded to the adversity and distractions associated with Michigan the rumors seem to be dying down, which helps. Alabama spotted Oklahoma 17 points in the last game, and a repeat of that would mean a long flight home to Tuscaloosa. Because Indiana is an impeccable leader, the pressure is on Indiana as well. Oregon found itself in a similar position last fall at the Rose Bowl after Ohio State won its first-round matchup against Tennessee. … Indiana 31, Alabama 17.
Sugar bowl: Ole Miss against. Georgia -7.5
Hummer (Georgia -7.5): Two regular-season rematches in a row for Ole Miss is an interesting moment in the 12-team era. Georgia won the first meeting, coming back late in the game to lead the Rebels by 159 yards. The problem for Ole Miss this time around is that this team is worse now than it was then. The squads are practically the same, but the coaching staff is constantly changing. Meanwhile, Georgia are playing their best football of the season after finding their footing on defense, allowing just 26 points over their last three games against Power Four opponents. Texas, Georgia Tech and Alabama. The Bulldogs head to Louisiana and score a decisive victory… Georgia 34, Ole Miss 24.
Crawford (Ole Miss +7.5): You have to believe you can kill a giant before you actually do it, and Ole Miss carries that confidence to New Orleans. The Rebels came up with a near-perfect game plan against Georgia in an October loss, scoring touchdowns on their first five possessions in a 43-35 loss. Georgia responded by scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter to erase a nine-point deficit. Trinidad Chambliss There were no turnovers in this game, but a pair of three-and-outs in the fourth quarter proved costly, especially since the defense couldn't stop the game. Ole Miss will need significantly better play on that side of the ball to knock off the SEC champions and advance to the semifinals. … Georgia 27, Ole Miss 20.
Remaining bowl games (Dec. 24–Jan. 2)
For all non-playoff bets, be sure to check out the rosters and coaching staffs of each team that is in the postseason. Several two-tier companies have been decimated by player opt-outs and transfer portal exits, with more than a dozen programs also contributing to leadership changes.
Motivation always matters too. How many of these teams actually want to be there and hope to finish the season on a high note heading into 2026? Like most insiders, bookmakers make educated guesses on many of these fronts. Play accordingly and smartly.
Birmingham Bowl: South Georgia -7.5 vs. Appalachian State
Hummer: Appalachian State +7.5
Crawford: Appalachian State +7.5
Independence Cup: Coastal Carolina vs La Tech -8.5
Hummer: Louisiana Tech -8.5
Crawford: Coastal Carolina +8.5
Music City Bowl: Tennessee -2.5 vs. Illinois
Hummer: Illinois +2.5
Crawford: Tennessee -2.5
Hammer: USC -6.5
Crawford: USC -6.5
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa against. Vanderbilt -5.5
Omar: Vanderbilt -5.5
Crawford: Vanderbilt -5.5
Sun bowl: Arizona against. Duke -2.5
Lobster: Duke -2.5
Crawford: Duke -2.5
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Texas -7.5
Hummer: Texas -7.5
Crawford: Texas -7.5
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska against. Utah -15.5
Lobster: Nebraska +15.5
Crawford: Nebraska +15.5
Armed Forces Cup: Rice against. State of Texas -8.5
Hummer: Texas -8.5
Crawford: Texas State -8.5
Freedom Bowl: Naval -6.5 vs Cincinnati
Hummer: Cincinnati +6.5
Crawford: Navy -6.5
Mayo Bowl: Wake Forest v. Miss St. -4.5
Hammer: Wake Forest +4.5
Crawford: Wake Forest +4.5
Holiday Bowl: Arizona -2.5 vs. SMU
Hummer: SMU +2.5
Crawford: SMU +2.5
