Rapid reaction as Oregon beat James Madison in CFP 1st round
The No. 5 Oregon State football team defeated No. 12 James Madison in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.
And now there are 8 people.
The College Football Playoff officially entered the quarterfinal stage with the University of Oregon’s 51-34 victory over James Madison on Saturday night, capping off a 24-hour, four-game first-round series.
As was the case last year when the 12-team playoff format was first introduced, the first round brought a lot of anticipation, but not a lot of drama. Oregon State jumped out to a 28-point halftime lead and cruised to a 17-point victory. In the highly touted first game since Lane Kiffin’s sloppy departure to LSU, Ole Miss defeated Tulane 41-10.
In perhaps the most exciting game of the quartet, Alabama overcame a 17-0 second quarter deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24. And on a blisteringly windy day, Miami defeated Texas A&M 10-3 in a game in which they missed four combined field goals.
The game sparked a variety of debates, including discussion of including teams from non-Power Four conferences in the makeup of the playoffs. But at least some of that chatter has ended as a wait, with four matchups set for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in some of the sport’s biggest bowl games.
What happens in those contests? Who will see their national title dreams live on in the next round?
Here’s what to expect from the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
CFP quarterfinal predictions
All game odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, December 21st.
Indiana vs Alabama odds
- spread: Indiana -7
- over/under:48.5 points
- money line: Indiana -250, Alabama +200
Indiana vs Alabama predictions
Indiana 28, Alabama 17: Indiana has won 13 games this season. In the four years I spent on campus, the Hoosiers won a combined 13 games. I still always approach IU games with some skepticism. That being said, I thought Indiana would beat Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, so I have a feeling they might beat another elite team in college football. Alabama is a team with flaws and I believe Curt Cignetti and coordinators Bryant Haynes and Mike Shanahan can exploit them. — Matt Greneske, USA TODAY
Indiana 27, Alabama 17: Alabama snuck into the 12-team CFP field after struggling in the SEC Championship Game (to the surprise of many). The Crimson Tide was probably the story of the first round, defeating Oklahoma by a record-tying 17 points, but Alabama’s scoreless game will likely catch up with the solid defense of the Crimson Tide vs. Indiana. — Zak Al Khateeb, USA TODAY Network
Indiana 24, Alabama 19: We all saw what happened last season when a Big Ten team, after an extra week and a half of rest, ended up playing a talented opponent with a beleaguered coach in the Rose Bowl, winning a coveted first-round victory. However, this Alabama team is not last year’s Ohio State team. The offensive ingenuity of Karen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb will keep the Crimson Tide close, but the lack of a viable and consistent run game will leave them crushed by one of the best defenses in the country. — Craig Mayer, USA TODAY Network
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami
Ohio State vs. Miami Odds
- spread: Ohio State University -10
- over/under:42.5 points
- money line: Ohio State -400, Miami +310
Ohio State vs. Miami Predictions
Ohio State 35, Miami 13: Hey, both teams scored 10 points in their last game! They’ll get even more points this time…mostly from the Buckeyes. I don’t agree with Carson Beck (or Mario Cristobal). Miami’s D-line is very good, but I have faith in Julian Sane to have plenty of playmakers Jeremiah Smith and The Lock in Colonel Tate here. — Matt Greneske, USA TODAY
Ohio State 34, Miami 20: This is a matchup that features some of the nation’s best receiver talent in Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate and the University of Miami’s Malachi Toney. Expect each to make some splash plays early on before the Buckeyes’ superior talent ultimately helps them pull away in the second half. — Zak Al Khateeb, USA TODAY Network
Ohio State 24, Miami 13: With a plethora of offensive options centered around Julian Sane, Ohio State should be able to counteract some of Miami’s ferocious pass rush with a fast-break passing offense. That defense, perhaps the best unit in the country on both sides of the ball, should cause headaches for Carson Beck. Unlike the last time these two programs played in a game involving the national championship, the Buckeyes won’t even need a phantom pass interference call. — Craig Mayer, USA TODAY Network
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
Georgia vs Ole Miss odds
- spread: Georgia -6.5
- over/under:56.5 points
- money line: Georgia -250, Ole Miss +200
Georgia vs Ole Miss Prediction
Georgia 42, Ole Miss 24: The Rebels had a great CFP opener to give Pete Golding the perfect start at the helm, but Georgia’s defense was a different beast than Tulane’s. Sure, Ole Miss scored 35 points for the Bulldogs in a 43-35 win at UGA in October, but we’ve seen Kirby Smart in this spot before. — Matt Greneske, USA TODAY
Georgia 35, Ole Miss 31: Ole Miss has a chance to avenge its only loss of the season to No. 3 Georgia. This team held a lead by multiple possessions when they met in the regular season, but lost 43-35. It’s tough to beat the same team twice in a season, but Smart and the Bulldogs are playing like one of the best teams in the country and should buck that trend. — Zak Al Khateeb, USA TODAY Network
Georgia 34, Ole Miss 23: Ole Miss’ debut under head coach Pete Golding was impressive, with few if any potential distractions from Lane Kiffin’s departure and Tulane’s on-form team bursting onto the field. But Georgia faces a different kind of challenge, with the Bulldogs playing like any other team in the country behind an improving offense and signature solid defense. — Craig Mayer, USA TODAY Network
Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon
Texas Tech vs Oregon State odds
- spread:Oregon -1.5
- over/under:52.5 points
- money line: Oregon -115, Texas Tech -105
Texas Tech vs. Oregon State predictions
Texas Tech 34, Oregon State 26: Billionaire Bowl. Nike money versus oil money. Who did you get? The Red Raiders were my team of choice to win the overall CFP, so there was no avoiding it. The Ducks have a lot of speed, but Tech’s defense is one of the best in the country, led by mustachioed threat Jacob Rodriguez. Dante Moore is considered a top prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, but don’t sleep on Behren Morton. The Red Raiders QB will wake up in the Orange Bowl. — Matt Greneske, USA TODAY
Texas Tech 30, Oregon State 24: Was Dan Lanning and Oregon looking ahead to Texas Tech in their 51-34 victory over JMU? Did they simply gas out after leading 34-6 at halftime? Or do the Ducks have serious deficiencies that a more talented Texas Tech team can exploit? Only time will tell, but if Oregon State plays like they did against the Dukes and Red Raiders, they will find their season over in the Orange Bowl. — Zak Al Khateeb, USA TODAY Network
Oregon State 27, Texas Tech 23: The Red Raiders have the best defense in the country, a group so good that the No. 5 player in Heisman Trophy voting is the second-best player on the unit. However, their offense can leave a bit to be desired, especially in the red zone. The tendency to settle for field goals will bite again against a Ducks team with an explosive offense and a defense that reliably hunts for rebounds after a subpar second half against James Madison. — Craig Mayer, USA TODAY Network
