College Football Playoff Bracket: Predictions, championship winner

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The College Football Playoff bracket was set on Dec. 7. There was plenty of debate and discussion about the 12 teams that made it into the tournament. One outlier that prompted people to question the field was Notre Dame's exclusion. There are two Group of 5 champions competing: the 12th seed, James Madison, and No. 11 Tulane. At the top, Indiana moved past Ohio State for the top seed after it defeated the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game. It's time to make a run through the tournament and predict the eventual national champion.

No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma: Dec. 19, 8 p.m. ABC/ESPN

SEC teams meet in a rematch. This one is in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won the first game and are underdogs here. Why? Ty Simpson has shown many flaws as has the Crimson Tide offense. Look for OU to punch its ticket to the quarterfinal. Prediction: Oklahoma 24, Alabama 23

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M: Dec. 20, Noon, ABC ESPN

Miami gets its chance to show the committee made the right decision putting it in over Notre Dame. Will be fascinating to see if Marcel Reed and the Aggies can get it back together after the loss to Texas. The guess here is the stumble will lead to another defeat. Prediction: Miami 24, Texas A&M 17

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss: Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m., TNT/HBO Max

Don't worry about Ole Miss missing Lane Kiffin here. The ugly exit seems to have galvanized the Rebels. Don't discount the Green Wave. Was hoping BYU would have gotten in because Green Wave QB Jake Retzlaff facing his former team would have been wonderful. Look for an interesting matchup here but the home field will prove the difference. Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Tulane 20

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon: Dec. 20. 7:30 p.m. TNT/HBO Max

The Dukes were 12-1 this season. However, they weren't playing teams like the Ducks of the Big Ten. The spread is massive and the game figures to be no-contest as so many first round contests have been in past years. Prediction: Oregon 37, James Madison 13

Quarterfinals

No. 2 Ohio State vs Miami, Cotton Bowl, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

This will be a ferocious defensive battle. The fact Miami has regained its early season form will make the contest more interesting. That said, the loss to Indiana will make Ohio State more angry and tougher to move on. Prediction: Ohio State 21, Miami 13

Oregon vs. Texas Tech: Orange Bowl, Jan. 1, 12 p.m.

A tremendous matchup here as the Ducks and the Red Raiders get together early on New Year's Day. Don't oversleep on this one. Like the Red Raiders, who have one of the best defenses in the land and a solid offense. Look for Oregon to put up a fight early but wear down late. Prediction: Texas Tech 30, Oregon 20

Indiana vs. Oklahoma: Rose Bowl, Jan. 1, 4 p.m.

Oklahoma gets by 'Bama and runs smack into the Indiana defense. No matter how good the Sooners defense is, Fernando Mendoza won't have to do a tremendous amount because the OU offense struggles. The Hoosiers pick up another victory and a spot in the semis. Prediction: Indiana 31, Oklahoma 14

Georgia vs. Ole Miss: Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1, 8 p.m.

A rematch of a 43-35 shootout the Dawgs won in October. Expect less scoring here, mainly because the Georgia defense has stiffened. End of the line for the Rebels. Prediction: Georgia 23, Ole Miss 10

Semifinals

Ohio State vs. Georgia: Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Defenses rule here big time. However, the point is that Ohio State is the better team than anyone in the field with the exception of Indiana. Gunner Stockton will be picked more than once and the Buckeyes will set up a championship spot again but not against who one thinks. Prediction: Ohio State 20, Georgia 9

Texas Tech vs. Indiana: Peach Bowl, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m, ESPN

The Hoosiers' dream of a perfect season comes to an end as the best defense money can by stops Indiana. It might seem like the IU-Ohio State rematch was destiny but no one told Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders. This is a great team with a mighty defense and it will earn a spot in the championship game. Prediction: Texas Tech 27, Indiana 20

Texas Tech vs. Ohio State: CFP Championship Game, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

The kicking game — or more like lack of it comes back to haunt Ohio State. In another game that pits great defenses, field goals will provide the difference. The Red Raiders connect on them, the Buckeyes, don't. Prediction: Texas Tech 16, Ohio State 14

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Predicting entire College Football Playoff tournament

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