Predicting the First Round of the College Football Playoff

by Eric Fulton

The 2025 college football season has reached its playoff portion of the schedule. We have seen one surprising team reach the top of the college football world in the regular season in Indiana. Also, the usual suspects are still in the hunt to bring home another championship to their schools (Georgia, Ohio State). Let's take a look at the four first-round games that will be played this weekend.
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9. Alabama @ 8. Oklahoma (December 19th at 6:30 PM CT on ABC/ESPN)
Two historic college football programs will clash in the first game of the 2025 playoffs. Since joining the SEC, the Sooners have won their two matchups over the Crimson Tide. For Alabama to win, it will need quarterback Ty Simpson to play much better than he did against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. For the Sooners to win, they will need quarterback John Mateer to play better, as well. This game will be a low-scoring affair as both teams have great defenses. This could come down to whoever has the football last. I will pick Oklahoma to win a close one.

10. Miami @ 7. Texas A&M (December 20th at 11:00 AM CT on ABC/ESPN)
Neither the Hurricanes nor the Aggies played in their respective conference championship games, but they will come into their matchup winning double-digit games in the regular season. This game will also come down to which quarterback will have the better game: Carson Beck for Miami or Marcel Reed for Texas A&M. While both teams had a tough stretch to end the season, both are looking to rebound and get a huge first-round win. I will take the Aggies to win this game.

11. Tulane @ 6. Ole Miss (December 20th at 2:30 PM CT on TNT)
Tulane and Ole Miss will each play their first-ever college football playoff game. They will also play with new head coaches. Jon Sumrall left Tulane to coach Florida, and Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to be the head coach at LSU. Which team will handle having a coaching change better? Although Tulane is a very good team, Ole Miss is a very tough team at home and would love to get their revenge on Georgia in the next round. To me, Ole Miss is the better team, even with Coach Kiffin gone, and I expect them to win the game in Oxford.

12. James Madison @ 5. Oregon) (December 20th at 6:00 PM CT on TNT)
The final first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff will feature Oregon, making its second straight playoff appearance, against James Madison, which won the Sun Belt Conference. Just a few short years ago, James Madison was one of the best teams in the FCS (Division 1-AA). Now, they have solidified their place as one of the best teams in mid-major FBS. However, this will be their biggest challenge. They will travel across the country to take on an excellent Oregon team, one of three Big Ten Teams in the playoff. Autzen Stadium in Eugene will be extremely loud, and I don't know if the Dukes can handle the noise or the speed that the Ducks have on both sides of the football. I predict Oregon will advance to the next round. 
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