The College Football Playoff bracket is officially set and we are just one week away from the first round of games.
With surprise conference champions, multiple G5 teams making the field, and so much more unprecedented scenarios, we must now take a look at how each team stacks up.
In this article we will be breaking down and analyzing the 12-team field and whittling it all the way down until we have a champion.
Let’s start with the first round.
#9 Alabama vs. #8 Oklahoma
Alabama has had their hands full with Oklahoma in their last few meetings, including this year. On November 15th, Oklahoma defeated the Crimson Tide by a score of 23-21. A lot closer than last year’s contest, yet the Sooners picked up a season saving victory. Not to mention Alabama just got rolled by the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship game. However, here’s a stat Alabama fans might be relived to read: Oklahoma is 0-4 in College Football Playoff games.
John Mather and the Sooners’ offense has struggled since the star QB injured his hand. However, the defense has been strong and will pose another difficult challenge for Ty Simpson and the Alabama squad. It’s hard to be a team twice, and snap a losing streak in the postseason, but my prediction is that Oklahoma just narrowly edges out Alabama and wins their first ever CFP game.
Prediction: Oklahoma 24 – Alabama 23
#12 James Madison vs. #5 Oregon
James Madison won the Sun Belt and snuck into the final spot in the CFP after Duke upset Virginia in the ACC championship. As fun as a cinderella story this is, I personally cannot take the Dukes to beat the Ducks. While it has been a up and down season for Oregon, the gap between a G5 team and a Power 4 conference team will be displayed this round.
I have Oregon coasting by and defeating the narratives that suggest can’t play when the “lights are too bright”.
Prediction: Oregon 42 – JMU 10
#10 Miami vs. #7 Texas A&M
I think this will be a battle down in College Station. While I wanted to see a night game for this matchup, I believe any time of day, the 12th man will show up.
I don’t have much confidence in Carson Beck for the Canes, and I have a ton of confidence in Marcel Reed. The Aggies have been strong all year with their two tests being down 27 against South Carolina, and losing to rival Texas a few weeks ago.
The Aggies have had time to go over the tape, fix their holes, and regroup ahead of one of the most important playoff runs this team has seen in a long time.
Prediction: Texas A&M 35 – Miami 24
#11 Tulane vs. #6 Ole Miss
This might be the closest matchup in the first round, and we could see the biggest upset of the bracket in this game.
Tulane is another G5 team that can pull off upsets, yet has a steep road ahead of them as they travel down to Oxford and face one of the strongest teams Ole Miss has ever had.
Coming off their first 11-win season in program history, I like Ole Miss here. However, after the dramatic exit of Lane Kiffin and a couple weeks off, I don’t believe Ole Miss wins by much.
If Tulane plays a hard 60 minutes, I wouldn’t be shocked in the Green Wave pull it off. However, regardless of who’s coaching the Rebels, this is a strong Ole Miss team that will find a way to win in this first round round matchup.
Prediction: Ole Miss 30 – Tulane 27
QUARTERFINALS
#8 Oklahoma vs. #1 Indiana
Had you told me two years ago we would be sitting here writing about the Indiana Hoosiers being the No. 1 team in the country, I would have called you crazy. Yet, here we are.
Curt Cignetti has done improbable things for the Hoosiers and looks to carry them into the semifinals, but they have to get through Oklahoma.
Oklahoma will have just come off a very hard, scrappy fight against Alabama, and will now have to face Indiana. This will be another low scoring, defensive battles that both teams will be exhausted at the end of.
On that note, I believe Indiana gets it done. The defense has been able to stop Heisman finalist Julian Sayin and the Ohio State offense, and I just haven’t seen enough output from the Sooners’ offense this season that says they’ll shine come playoff time.
Prediction: Indiana 17 – Oklahoma 13
#4 Texas Tech vs. #5 Oregon
The Red Raiders have been red hot this season as they have finished on top of the Big 12 after crushing BYU for the second time this season.
Behren Morton has been very solid in the pocket, setting a career-high completion percentage and boasting a 22 TD to 4 INT ratio. Morton protects the ball well and drives his team down the field with ease.
Texas Tech has been able to score a lot of points this season. Dante Moore for the Oregon Ducks has also been one of the most accurate quarterbacks in college football this season, and this is going to be one heck of a game.
What this game will come down to, is which defense will make the bigger plays. Which defense will get off the field when they’re deep in their own territory. I believe Texas Tech’s defense has passed the eye test and have looked better than the Ducks’ defense this season.
Prediction: Texas Tech 27 – Oregon 20
#7 Texas A&M vs. #2 Ohio State
Speaking of accurate quarterbacks, Julian Sayin led the nation in completion percentage this regular season for Ohio State. Not to mention, he has one of the best receivers in football named Jeremiah Smith.
While Ohio State suffered a loss in the Big 10 championship game against Indiana, I believe they will bounce back and take care of business in the quarterfinals.
Kicker Jayden Fielding has received some online backlash after missing two kicks in that championship game. However, that was out of the ordinary from him. Fielding has boasted an 84.2% field goal percentage and hasn’t missed an extra point in all of his 54 attempts.
Ohio State will bounce back and take down a strong Texas A&M team.
Prediction: Ohio State 30 – Texas A&M 20
#6 Ole Miss vs. #3 Georgia
A frisky SEC game wraps up the quarterfinal round with the Rebels taking on the Dawgs.
Gunnar Stockton has been on fire for Georgia and the Bulldogs dominated Alabama in the SEC championship game.
No Lane Kiffin for Ole Miss, and with Georgia looking as good as they have all season, I’m taking the Dawgs in a one-sided matchup.
Prediction: Georgia 35 – Ole Miss 13
SEMIFINALS
#4 Texas Tech vs. #1 Indiana
Defense wins championships, and I have been fond of the Red Raider’s defense. However, it will be very difficult for the defense to stop Heisman favorite Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza has been dialed in for the Hoosiers and will look to keep the No. 1 team in the country rolling.
I really like this Texas Tech team, but Cignetti and Mendoza have made something special in Indiana and they will be looking to win their first ever national championship.
Prediction: Indiana 24 – Texas Tech 16
#3 Georgia vs. #2 Ohio State
This would be one of the best matchups of the season. Georgia would have their toughest challenge, but they would be rolling and I think they would knock off the defending champions.
The Bulldogs’ overall defensive discipline and ability to make opponents “earn” every yard can slow down explosive offenses like Ohio State’s, especially if Georgia’s front seven controls the line of scrimmage
If Georgia shuts down Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin, give me the Bulldogs by two scores.
Prediction: Georgia 30 – Ohio State 20
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
#3 Georgia vs. #1 Indiana
This could very well be the national championship. Overall, Georgia provides a much deeper roster on both sides of the ball. Indiana would need Mendoza to play like his Heisman self and find a way to limit Gunnar Stockton and Georgia’s grueling offense.
I think when we look at the eye test, Georgia gets my vote because of the level of competition in the SEC. Teh yahev had a long road to get here, and they will not squander another opportunity to win a championship under Kirby Smart.
On the other hand, I believe momentum is a real thing. Nobody has more momentum than Indiana, and Cignetti would have the Hoosiers ready to rock and they could win it all from the one seed.
However, defense wins championships, and Georgia can shut down Indiana’s top playmakers better than Indiana can stop Georgia’s. Give me the Bulldogs to win the 2026 national championship.
Prediction: Georgia 35 – Indiana 21
Over the next month and a half we will see some big time matchups and players making names for themselves. It’s time to crown a national champion in college football.
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