College Football Playoffs Quarterfinals Preview
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WEDNESDAY
(#10)Miami vs. (#2)Ohio State
Cotton Bowl
7:30 p.m., ESPN
A year ago, Ohio State cruised to a national championship after coming off a 13-10 loss to Michigan where missed field goals cost them a chance at victory. Now they enter the playoffs on the heels of a 13-10 loss to Indiana where a late missed chip shot field goal doomed their chances for a Big Ten title. Will history repeat itself? The Buckeyes certainly have the talent to bounce back and win it all again.
Their first test will be a Miami team that prevailed in a defensive slugfest against Texas A&M in the first round. The ‘Canes have a chance to make things interesting with their strengths at both lines of scrimmage. Ruben Bain is arguably the nation’s top defensive lineman and can make things difficult for the Buckeyes offense. The ‘Canes offense has also been boosted by true freshman Malachi Toney, an electric playmaker who is extremely dangerous in the open field.
This game could come down to the performance of Carson Beck, who has seem ups and downs over his career between Georgia and Miami. He will need to tap into his experience for a mistake-free performance against a Buckeyes defense loaded with top-tier talent. If not, it will be a very unhappy New Year’s Eve for the ‘Canes.
Prediction: Ohio State-24, Miami-14
THURSDAY
(#5)Oregon at (#4)Texas Tech
Orange Bowl
Noon, ESPN
It’s somewhat difficult to assess Texas Tech due to their schedule. They passed their biggest test twice, blowing past BYU in the regular season and again in the Big XII title game. But how will they shape up against a team with the overall talent of Oregon?
The Ducks have their flaws, but overcame a string of injuries and finished strong with many young players gradually improving over the course of the season. They did struggle to contain the run game throughout the year, giving the Red Raiders otherwise tepid offense some hope to move the ball. Texas Tech is much more sturdy on defense, as they aced their portal haul to quickly build one of the nation’s stingiest defenses.
Oregon could be welcoming back several players who were unavailable for the second half of the season. Most notably, star receiver Evan Stewart could see the field for the first time this season after being sidelined with a preseason injury. This should turn into a low-scoring affair, with every drive having vast importance.
Prediction: Oregon-20, Texas Tech-17
(#9)Alabama at (#1)Indiana
Rose Bowl
4 p.m., ESPN
Can underdog Alabama hang with the top-ranked Hoosiers? What a world we live in.
Indiana really improved on both lines of scrimmage from their breakout season in ‘24. The defensive line proved itself against the Buckeyes and helped lead the charge as they harassed Justin Sayin all night and limited Ohio State to just 10 points. However, the Hoosiers will be without their top pass rusher in Stephen Daley, who was lost for the playoffs following a freak injury during the celebration of the Big Ten championship.
Indiana also has the Heisman winner under center in Fernando Mendoza, along with a group of receivers that catch anything that comes their direction, even in the tightest of coverage.
Considering Alabama’s season-long struggles to run the ball, the Hoosiers gameplan should be simple. Keep pressure on Ty Simpson and force him to carry the offense under heavy pressure. Indiana will need to do this with a four-man front (and without Daley), as the Tide have the athletes to create explosive plays if the Hoosiers leave any holes in the defense.
Prediction: Indiana-28, Alabama-21
(#6)Ole Miss vs. (#3)Georgia
Sugar Bowl
8 p.m., ESPN
This is a rematch of one of the most entertaining games of the regular season, with Georgia prevailing 43-35 to hand Ole Miss their only loss of the season. So much has changed since the ‘Dawgs wild comeback win. It’s been all positive for Georgia, as they have seen the rapid development of many new starters. The ‘Dawgs are playing their best football of the season as they have improved each week with more experience. Gunnar Stockton has also been at his best in clutch situations, helping Georgia win several close games that should help the team’s resiliency when they find themselves in tough situations in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss went through a circus to close out their first 11-win season in program history as Lane Kiffin departed for LSU. While they will be without Kiffin’s offensive mind on the sidelines, the team has been through the type of adversity that helps them rally around one another and play inspired football. The Rebels offense will need to bring their A game and get a huge performance out of Trinidad Chambliss, their breakout star at quarterback. Georgia’s defense has developed into a fearsome unit that will give them a chance to beat anyone in the playoffs.
There’s already evidence that this will be a tight match-up. Round two could be even better with both teams improving since their instant classic in mid-October.
Prediction: Georgia-27, Ole Miss-24
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