Twelve teams occupy spots in the second edition of the Division I CFB playoff bracket.
Beginning with the Dec 19 Oklahoma vs. Alabama game and ending with the Jan 19. National Championship game, this season’s playoffs will be an exciting month of football. Here are my picks for the first round.
#8 Oklahoma Sooners vs. #9 Alabama Crimson Tide
Dec 19, 2025 8 p.m.
Coming off of a one-possession win against the unranked LSU, and still fresh from their move to the SEC, Oklahoma will face a blue blood of college football and their conference, Alabama. The Crimson Tide struggled at the start of the 2024 season, their first year under Kalen DeBoer. However, in 2025, led by junior QB Ty Simpson, the Tide made it back to the SEC Championship game, losing in a blowout to Georgia. I anticipate a close, low-scoring battle between these two teams in Norman, and despite Alabama already losing to Oklahoma in Tuscaloosa, I see the Tide eking out a win in this matchup.
Oklahoma QB John Mateer has struggled in recording the statistics in the back half of the season that he did in the first half of the season, following his hand injury. This resulted in the team relying heavily on their top 10 defense. With home field advantage, Oklahoma’s defense will compete, but I do not see Oklahoma’s offense capitalizing on the resulting opportunities. In the end, Alabama will rely on their playoff experience and superior offense to narrowly defeat the Sooners on the road.
#7 Texas A&M Aggies vs. #10 Miami Hurricanes
Dec 20, 2025 Noon
Controversially, the selection committee placed the Hurricanes in the playoffs instead of Notre Dame, scheduling Miami to play the 11-1 Aggies, whose only loss came to Texas in their final game of the regular season. Both the Hurricanes and Aggies have formidable offenses, ranked 18th and 15th respectively. Despite Miami’s top 10 defense, I believe this matchup will be a classic offensive shootout.
Miami did not face difficult matchups this year, save for one game against a ranked opponent, Notre Dame, in week one. This allowed the Hurricanes to rack up significant defensive stats on weak ACC programs. Even with this easy schedule, Miami lost to Louisville and SMU, both unranked teams.
On the other hand, Texas A&M put up their offensive numbers against defensively skilled SEC programs such as LSU and Missouri. The Aggies’ one loss to the Longhorns was on the road against a team of a better caliber than Miami. I think Texas A&M will come out on top at home, moving on to the quarterfinals.
#6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. #11 Tulane Green Wave
Dec 20 3:30 p.m.
After a victory over North Texas in the AAC Championship, Tulane punched their ticket to the college football playoffs. As one of two group of five schools in the playoffs, Tulane must struggle against superior programs if they hope to make the national championship. The first team they must face are the Rebels, a powerhouse in the SEC this year.
Even though Ole Miss lost their head coach, Lane Kiffin, to LSU prior to the playoffs, they are still a strong team with the goal of proving themselves on the national stage. Additionally, Ole Miss has lots more firepower and skill than Tulane, with players such as senior QB Trindiad Chambliss and sophomore halfback Kewan Lacy. Tulane, as a group of five school playing on the road, does not have any hope of competing with the Rebels. I predict Ole Miss will win this game in a blowout and that Lacy will have a stellar performance against a Tulane rush defense that gave up an average of 147.8 rushing yards per game.
#5 Oregon Ducks vs. #12 James Madison Dukes
Dec 20 7:30 p.m.
The Dukes are in a similar position as the Green Wave heading into the playoffs. James Madison will face Oregon, a team with more talent on paper. The Ducks average 36.3 points per game on offense, making them the 11th best in the nation. Oregon’s defense, ranked eighth in the country, only gives up an average of 15 points per game.
Meanwhile, the Dukes have a top 10 defense and offense. While statistically better than Oregon, the Dukes racked up their statistics against feeble Sun Belt Conference schools. Furthermore, the Dukes have not played any games against ranked opponents this season. I do not believe the Dukes will perform as well against Oregon as they have against the opponents on their schedule.
James Madison will not keep up with Oregon’s offense, especially in Eugene. This game should be a rout, with Oregon putting on a show on national TV. Give me the Ducks winning big, proceeding to play Texas Tech in the quarterfinals.
