The 12-team College Football Playoff is already delivering on the drama it promised-and we’re only through the first round. After a regular season packed with twists and turns, the opening weekend of the expanded CFP format gave us more chaos, comebacks, and statement wins. Now, we’re down to eight.
Alabama storms back, makes playoff history
Let’s start with the headliner: No. 9 Alabama pulled off a gutsy 34-24 win over No.
8 Oklahoma, and they did it the hard way. Down 17 points early in Norman, the Crimson Tide didn’t flinch.
Instead, they became the first team in this new 12-team playoff era to win a CFP game on the road.
Alabama’s resilience was on full display. The defense tightened up, the offense found its rhythm, and the Tide did what the Tide so often do in big moments-take over.
Now they head to Pasadena for a Rose Bowl showdown with No. 1 Indiana.
That’s not just a marquee matchup; it’s a clash of styles and momentum. Indiana’s been the steady force all year, but Alabama’s riding the kind of wave that makes them a real threat.
Miami’s defense steals the show in College Station
If Alabama’s win was about offensive firepower and big-play ability, Miami’s 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M was a throwback defensive slugfest.
The Hurricanes leaned on their defense all night, and it paid off in the final minute when they forced a game-sealing turnover. It wasn’t flashy, but it was tough, disciplined football-the kind of win that builds belief in a locker room.
Now, Miami gets a shot at No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
The Buckeyes bring a high-octane offense, but Miami’s defense just held a top-10 team to three points on the road. That matchup has all the makings of a classic chess match between a dynamic offense and a defense that just proved it can close out a game in the biggest moments.
Ole Miss rolls without Kiffin
No Lane Kiffin on the sideline? No problem for No.
6 Ole Miss. The Rebels looked every bit the part of a contender in a 41-10 dismantling of No.
11 Tulane. The offense was humming, the defense swarmed, and Ole Miss looked locked in from the opening snap.
They’ll need to keep that edge, because next up is a Sugar Bowl date with SEC rival Georgia. That’s a heavyweight battle between two teams that know each other well. Georgia’s been a fixture in the playoff conversation for years, but Ole Miss just sent a message: they’re not here to make up the numbers.
Oregon flexes in shootout win over James Madison
The final first-round game gave us fireworks. No.
5 Oregon outpaced No. 12 James Madison in a 51-34 shootout that showcased just how explosive the Ducks can be when they hit their stride.
Oregon’s offense was relentless, piling up points and stretching the field from sideline to sideline.
James Madison didn’t go quietly-they put up a fight and kept things interesting-but Oregon’s firepower was just too much. Now the Ducks head to the Orange Bowl to face No.
4 Texas Tech in what promises to be another high-scoring affair. Both teams can light up a scoreboard, and both have something to prove on the national stage.
What’s Next: Quarterfinal Matchups
Here’s how the bracket shapes up heading into the quarterfinals. Four games, four iconic venues, and a shot at the semifinals on the line:
Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Cotton Bowl: (2) Ohio State vs. (10) Miami - 7:30 p.m.
ET | ESPN
AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas
Thursday, Jan. 1
- Orange Bowl: (4) Texas Tech vs. (5) Oregon - Noon ET | ESPN *Hard Rock Stadium - Miami Gardens, Fla. *
- Rose Bowl: (1) Indiana vs. (9) Alabama - 4 p.m.
ET | ESPN
*Rose Bowl - Pasadena, Calif.
- Sugar Bowl: (3) Georgia vs. (6) Ole Miss - 8 p.m.
ET | ESPN
Caesars Superdome - New Orleans
Looking Ahead: Semifinals and Championship
After the quarterfinals, the CFP semifinals will be played at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl:
- Fiesta Bowl - Thursday, Jan. 8 | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN State Farm Stadium - Glendale, Arizona
- Peach Bowl - Friday, Jan. 9 | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta
And it all leads to the grand finale:
- National Championship - Monday, Jan. 20 | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN *Hard Rock Stadium - Miami Gardens, Fla. *
The first round of this new-look playoff gave us road warriors, defensive clinics, offensive explosions, and a clear message: the expanded format isn’t just about more teams-it’s about more moments. And with the quarterfinals looming, the intensity is only going to rise. Buckle up.