Fantastic Final Four for College Football Playoff Semifinals

by Eric Fulton

Indiana. Oregon. Ole Miss. Miami. These are the final four teams left in the 2025 College Football Playoff. One of these programs will win a game-changing national championship. Only one team (Indiana) won its conference championship game (Big Ten), but even though the other three teams did not win their conference championships, they are all capable of winning the national championship. We have two exciting semifinal games coming up, but let’s quickly recap the quarterfinals.
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In the quarterfinal round, I was 2-2. I did not pick Ole Miss or Miami to win. But both the Hurricanes and Rebels really showed everyone how good they can be. I do wish that the college football playoff could be reseeded after every round. Because it will be heartbreaking to see one of these teams, either Miami or Ole Miss fall one game short of the national title game. I think both earned major credit for reaching this point in the season, but it will be a major heartbreak for one of them by the end of Thursday night. 
 
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz.) – No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (Thursday, January 8th at 6:30 (CST) on ESPN)
 
Both Miami and Ole Miss have looked the most impressive of the teams that have played two games. Also, both teams have done things differently. For the Hurricanes, it has been the defense that has carried them to victories over Texas A&M and Ohio State, two teams with really good offenses. Miami is led defensively by Reuben Bane, Jr., who is expected to be drafted in the first round in April’s NFL Draft. For Ole Miss, they had a historic comeback in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Jr. continues to be the story on offense for the Rebels as they look to continue to fire on all cylinders offensively. For Ole Miss to win this game, they will need to have long drives to keep Miami’s defense on the field. Miami quarterback Carson Beck has some familiarity with the Rebels, having faced them as Georgia’s starting quarterback back in 2024. Ole Miss won the game, but Beck played well. I think Miami has the better defense. If Ole Miss gets to 30 points, they will win, but I don’t think it will happen. I have Miami going to the national championship game.
 
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta) – No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 1. Indiana (Friday, January 9th at 6:30 (CST) on ESPN)

The Ducks and Hoosiers looked very good in their quarterfinal games last week. Indiana dominated a good Alabama team in the Rose Bowl, while Oregon shut out Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl. Indiana defeated Oregon in Eugene 30-20 in their last matchup on October 11th. That was the Ducks' only loss of the season up to this point. I am sure the Ducks and Duck fans have been chomping at the bit for this one. Both Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are likely going to be the first two quarterbacks drafted in April’s NFL Draft. This will be an opportunity for both to impress NFL teams with their play. (Currently, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets hold the first two picks in this year’s draft, and both teams really need a quarterback.) This will be a hard-nosed, Big Ten fight. By the way, the winner will guarantee that the Big Ten will be represented in the national championship game for the third year in a row. This game could be the best of all the games during the CFB Playoff, including the upcoming national championship game. I feel whoever wins this game should be the favorite to win it all. It is a tough choice, but I am going with Indiana. But I will not be surprised if Oregon wins this game.