Previewing the College Football Playoff semifinal games

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Previewing the College Football Playoff semifinal games

With the conclusion of bowl season, there are now just three games remaining in the 2025 college football season. We’ve reached the final four teams in the College Football Playoff, and the two semifinal games this week will determine who plays for the national title on January 19th.

After an interesting first two rounds of the playoff, we should be treated to two great matchups in the semifinal round. Just one of the teams who received a bye are left standing, and there’s no telling what to expect this week in the penultimate games of the season.

While our focus over the next couple of weeks will be on who the Oklahoma Sooners will be losing to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, and the transfer players they’ll be bringing in, we’ll also get one step closer to crowning a new college football champion in January.

Here are previews for both CFP semifinal games, as history will be made later this week.

Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) scrambles with the ball under pressure from Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daylen Everette (6) in the fourth quarter during the 2025 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Miami and Ole Miss will be up first in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday night. The Hurricanes upset Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl in the quarterfinal round, showing off some elite play at the line of scrimmage and holding a powerful offense to just 14 points. After barely sneaking into the playoff, Mario Cristobal and the ‘Canes have won two games they weren’t expected to win. This game could turn into a shootout, and Miami will need quarterback Carson Beck at his best if they want to keep up.

The Rebels won an instant classic against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in the quarterfinals, and their offense looks elite, even without Lane Kiffin on the sidelines. It’s been a magical ride for Pete Golding and the Rebs, as they avenged their only loss of the season on New Year’s Day. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is an electrifying playmaker, and Ole Miss has a shot to win any game they play because of his dynamic ability.

Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Indiana, Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning shakes hands with Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti after Indiana defeated Oregon by the score of 30-20 at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Oregon and Indiana will face off in the Peach Bowl on Friday night, in a rematch of a regular season clash. The Ducks lost that game at home, but it was their only loss of the 2025 season. They dominated Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl quarterfinal, putting their elite defense on full display with a shutout victory. Dan Lanning’s team is likely the most overall talented squad left in the field, but Oregon will need a big day from quarterback Dante Moore if they want to advance.

The Hoosiers rolled over Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, and the only undefeated team in FBS certainly looked the part in the blowout win. Curt Cignetti has done an unbelievable job with this program, and they should be the favorites to win their first-ever national title this season. Indiana has the Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, and they’ve simply been incredible on both side of the ball all year long.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Who will advance in the CFP semifinal round?

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