The college football playoff committee chose their bracket for this year’s college football playoff. Here is my opinion on if they got the bracket right and my picks for the games.
Sunday’s selection show had lots of controversy after Notre Dame was dropped out of the “Top 12” playoff and Miami took their spot. In my opinion, the committee got it right but, I disagree with the process they used in order to get to the right conclusion.
Miami should have been ahead of Notre Dame at least two weeks ago because they beat them head to head. The Hurricanes were ranked 18th in the first edition of the committee’s rankings. They then climbed their way all the way up to #12 in the rankings of November 25 with Notre Dame at #9. That was when Miami should have jumped Notre Dame because of the head to head game. Instead, the committee decided to wait and dug themselves into a deeper hole week by week. They finally realized their mistake too late and suddenly jumped Miami over Notre Dame, much to the outrage of Notre Dame fans and administration. But, although their process was wrong and disrespectful to Notre Dame, I believe they got the right bracket. With that being said, here are my picks for the games.
James Madison at Oregon(winner plays Texas Tech)
There’s a reason why Oregon are three touchdown favorites going into this game. The Ducks powered through a tough Big Ten schedule and ended up with only one loss, that loss being to the best team in the country, Indiana. Add in the fact that this game is in Eugene makes JMU even bigger underdogs. I think Oregon will demolish the Dukes and will raise serious questions regarding the inclusion of Group of Five teams in the playoff.
Prediction: Oregon: 42 – James Madison: 13
Alabama at Oklahoma(winner plays Indiana)
This game looks like it’s going to be the closest of the first round, with Alabama being a 1.5 point favorite on the road. The interesting thing about this game is the fact that these teams played each other just over a month ago, with Oklahoma winning in Tuscaloosa. Now that this game is in Norman, I think the strong Oklahoma defense shuts down the Tide and helps the Sooners advance to the Rose Bowl. Also, should Alabama lose, could coach DeBoer jump ship and go to Michigan. DeBoer’s outside distractions are another factor that makes this game so interesting.
Prediction: Oklahoma: 20 – Alabama: 16
Tulane at Ole Miss(winner plays Georgia)
Like the Alabama and Oklahoma game, this is also a rematch from earlier this season. The difference was that that game was close the first time, so there’s an argument to be made that Alabama could win the second time. This game was not close the first time, with Ole Miss winning 45 to 10, and I expect a similar result this time too. Like the Oregon and JMU game, I think this will also make the committee have to reconsider the amount of Group of Five schools in the playoff.
Prediction: Ole Miss: 38 – Tulane: 10
Miami at Texas A&M(winner plays Ohio State)
My first upset prediction of the playoffs. After all of the controversy getting into the playoffs, I think that Miami is a team on a mission. It will be a tough challenge going into Kyle Field and playing a great Texas A&M squad, but I think the Hurricanes will be up for the challenge. Coach Cristobal will have this team ready to prove that they deserved to be in it.
Prediction: Miami: 28 – Texas A&M: 23
Second Round–
Oregon vs Texas Tech(Capital One Orange Bowl)
I think Oregon will upset the Red Raiders if this game happens. It would be super tight, but I think Oregon is the more complete team. They also have playoff experience from last year, a luxury that Tech does not have. I think the Ducks win the Orange Bowl in Hard Rock Stadium, which they could return to if they make the National Championship.
Prediction: Oregon: 31 – Texas Tech: 20
Oklahoma vs Indiana (Rose Bowl)
I think Indiana will take care of Oklahoma in this one. Although Oklahoma will have the momentum coming into this game after a big win against Alabama, I think the Hoosiers are just too good. They are the number one team in the country for a reason. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza will be playing in his first playoff game after becoming the first Hoosier to win the award, and I think he and the Indiana offense will put on a show in Pasadena.
Prediction: Indiana: 38 – Oklahoma: 17
Ole Miss vs Georgia (Allstate Sugar Bowl)
Another rematch from earlier in the season. These teams played each other all the way back in mid-October, with Georgia getting the win after a fourth quarter comeback and a wonderful performance from Gunner Stockton. Much has changed since then, most notably Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss and taking the head coaching job at LSU. At this point, this would only be new coach Pete Golding’s second game in charge, and Georgia is too good of an opponent for a new coach. I would love to see Golding succeed at Ole Miss, but that will have to come next season.
Prediction: Georgia: 42 – Ole Miss: 30
Miami vs Ohio State (Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic)
Miami’s magical run is going to come to an end against the Buckeyes. Although the Hurricanes would have just gotten a massive win against Texas A&M, the Buckeyes are just part of a higher tier of college football programs. I think they move on to a heavyweight fight with Georgia in the next round.
Prediction: Ohio State: 28 – Miami: 13
Oregon vs Indiana (Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl)
Once again, we have another rematch. Indiana dominated Oregon last time out, in Eugene as well. I think they can do it again behind another Heisman performance from Mendoza. Number one Indiana’s magical season continues all the way to Miami for the National Championship.
Prediction: Indiana: 33 – Oregon: 31
Georgia vs Ohio State (Vrbo Fiesta Bowl)
If this game does come to pass, it looks like it would be an instant, all-time classic. Last time these two programs met in a semifinal, Georgia won a thriller in the first few minutes of 2023. I think Kirby Smart can do it again and lead Georgia back to the National Championship game, a game they haven’t been to in two seasons.
Prediction: Georgia: 51 – Ohio State: 48
Georgia vs Indiana- National Championship
The final game of the 2025/2026 college football season. All the work that these two amazing teams have put in all year comes down to this game in Miami. I think that Indiana brings the Big Ten their third champion in the last three years by beating the Bulldogs. With this win, this team would go down in Indiana football history and Curt Cignetti would have completed the greatest program turnaround in College Football history.
Prediction: Indiana: 27 – Georgia: 23
Those are my picks for this year’s edition of the College Football Playoff. This has been such an entertaining and exciting season, and I cannot wait to see which program makes history this year.
