FIW staff picks winners of College Football Playoff quarterfinals
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The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are finally here, as Notre Dame continues to wonder what if after the opening round.
Regardless of how the Irish feel about their situation, the show goes on with four great games starting tonight and a triple-header on New Year’s Day. It’s going to be two-days of fun, filled college football action, even if we are hate-watching due to Notre Dame getting left out.
Either way, the staff here at Fighting Irish Wire of Tim Healey, Dave Miller and Michael Chen pick the winners of the CFP quarterfinal round below.
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 10 Miami Hurricanes
Game data: Wednesday, Dec. 31st, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN
Healey – The ‘Canes are feeling it. They likely feel that they hushed some doubters when they beat Texas A&M. But as good as Texas A&M is or was — and the Aggies faltered late in the year after being a legit title threat all year — Ohio State is probably one level better. Miami will likely keep it close, but I think the Buckeyes move on.
Miller – These two programs certainly aren’t favorites of many Notre Dame fans.
The Hurricanes snuck past the Fighting Irish to get into the CFP and scored a road win over Texas A&M in the first round, so momentum is on their side. Meanwhile, we last saw the Buckeyes come up short in the B1G title game against Indiana.
This revamped ‘Canes secondary has a chance to make some plays, but Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes offense will make more. OSU moves on.
Chen – This one could be closer than many expect, as Ohio State was the undisputed top team in the country ahead of Championship Weekend. Like last year, the Buckeyes will enter the CFP on a loss, one that could ignite another run. Miami finally has its program going the right direction, but look to be a few pieces short of being a legit challenger. Ohio State moves on.
No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Game data: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. CST on ESPN
Healey – This one is hard. I haven’t seen much of Texas Tech, and Oregon has appeared a little inconsistent in the games I’ve watched. Sometimes the Ducks look like world beaters who should be ranked higher, other times they look vulnerable. Still, a Ducks victory wouldn’t shock me, though. I think Oregon squeaks by and into the next round.
Miller – This Red Raiders team is nasty, while the Ducks have the talent to make a deep run.
There is just something special about this Joey McGuire-led squad. The stout defense will have a tough time slowing down the Oregon offense. But second-half adjustments will be the difference as Tech wins a squeaker.
Chen – These two teams might be the most that no-one really knows about, as Oregon has flown under the radar, and Texas Tech’s questionable conference makes everyone wonder how good these two teams really are. The Ducks play in the toughest conference, in my opinion, and the Red Raiders don’t. However, I don’t think that matters and Texas Tech advances.
No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers
Game data: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CST on ESPN
Healey – My heart wants to see Alabama humiliated — I firmly believed that they, not Miami or Notre Dame, should’ve been sent packing by the CFP. But the time for our sorrows has passed, and the Crimson Tide came back to beat a middling Oklahoma team that I thought was only a tick better.
Now Alabama faces an upstart Indiana team. A year ago, the Hoosiers looked unprepared for the spotlight as Notre Dame stomped them in South Bend. This year, they have the Heisman winner and they took down the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game.
In any year but this one, Alabama over Indiana would be the play. But the Crimson Tide aren’t that good, what happened at Oklahoma notwithstanding. There’s a reason why even some Notre Dame haters — and some Alabama alums — thought the Irish deserved a CFP spot more. Moreover, this Indiana team is better than last year’s, is ready for the bright lights, and might be more physical. I can’t believe I am saying this, but Hoosiers in a close one.
Miller – There were some college football observers who didn’t think the Crimson Tide should have been given a berth to the CFP. But after a shaky start, ‘Bama took down Oklahoma in Norman in the first round to advance to play top-seeded IU.
This Hoosiers program is 100 percent legit under the watch of Curt Cignetti, and I believe it is the best team in the country. No Roll Tide in this one.
Chen – This might be the game that has the most eyes on it, as two Nick Saban has his hands all over this game. Cignetti is a former Alabama coordinator, and there are still more than a few players left following the legends retirement. It’s pretty clear that Indiana is legit, the undefeated season shows it beating both OSU and Oregon during the season. It’s hard to know which Crimson Tide team will show up, but we know the Hoosiers will. Indiana gets its first CFP win.
No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs
Game data: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. CST on ESPN
Healey – Ole Miss is a darn good football team, and the Lane Kiffin drama didn’t seem to bother them in their last game. But Georgia is No. 3 for a reason. If you saw the Bulldogs dismantle Alabama in the SEC championship game, you understand. I think the Bulldogs will advance, though perhaps not easily.
Miller – Expect the Rebels offense to test the Bulldogs defense, as QB Trinidad Chambliss is a special talent. But Kirby Smart gets the best of Pete Golding in this one.
Chen – The Bulldogs have a championship level team, while Ole Miss looked good in the first round against Tulane, they should have considering that was the worst team in the field. This will be a rematch of a game earlier in the season, where Georgia defended its home with a 10-point win. I think we’ll see a very similar result and the Bulldogs advance.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: FIW staff picks the CFP quarterfinal winners of every game
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