College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Set: Ohio State-Miami Headlines a New Year’s Showdown Slate
The 2025 College Football Playoff quarterfinals are locked in, and we’ve got a lineup that’s ready to deliver drama, big-time plays, and plenty of storylines heading into New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. After a first round that gave us everything from gritty defensive battles to lopsided blowouts, the next wave of matchups is set - and at the top of the card is a clash between two of college football’s most iconic brands: Ohio State and Miami.
Let’s break down the four quarterfinal games on tap, what we learned from the opening round, and what to watch for as the road to the national championship continues.
**Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 2 Ohio State vs.
No. 10 Miami**
📍 Dallas, TX
🕢 New Year’s Eve, 7:30 PM ET
This one has history written all over it. Every time Ohio State and Miami share a field, it’s impossible not to think back to that unforgettable 2003 national title game - a double-overtime thriller that still sparks debate to this day. Now, more than two decades later, these two blue-blood programs meet again, this time with a spot in the semifinals on the line.
But while the logos scream heavyweight bout, the on-field matchup tells a different story - at least on paper.
Miami limped through their first-round win over Texas A&M in a game that was, frankly, hard to watch. The Hurricanes managed just 10 points, missed multiple field goals, and turned the ball over three times.
Against a defense that had been giving up points in bunches - 27 to Texas, 31 to South Carolina, 40 to Notre Dame - Miami’s offensive struggles were glaring. If they bring that same level of execution into AT&T Stadium, Ohio State could turn this into a one-sided affair quickly.
The Buckeyes, meanwhile, sat out the opening round with a bye and now enter the Cotton Bowl rested and ready. They’ve been one of the most complete teams in the country all season, and they’ll be looking to make a statement in their playoff debut. Miami’s defense has the talent to compete, but unless the Hurricanes find another gear offensively, they’ll be hard-pressed to keep pace with a Buckeye squad that’s built to win it all.
**Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech vs.
No. 5 Oregon**
📍 Miami Gardens, FL
🕛 New Year’s Day, 12:00 PM ET
This is the kind of matchup that sets the tone for a New Year’s Day slate - two high-powered teams with something to prove, meeting in a setting that could swing either way.
Oregon’s season has been a rollercoaster of dominance and close calls. When they’re clicking, the Ducks look like a top-three team in the country.
But they’ve also had to grind out wins in tough road environments - Happy Valley, Kinnick Stadium, and a sloppy contest in Madison come to mind. Now, they head east for a noon kickoff on the beach - 9:00 AM Pacific Time - and that early start could be a factor.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, has cruised through its schedule. When healthy, the Red Raiders have made quick work of their opponents, rarely finding themselves in tight games.
That’s both a testament to their dominance and a question mark - because they haven’t really been tested. The Big 12 didn’t throw many landmines their way, and now they face an Oregon team that can challenge them in all three phases.
This one feels like a coin flip, and it might come down to which quarterback handles the moment better - and which defense gets that one key stop late.
**Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs.
No. 9 Alabama**
📍 Pasadena, CA
🕓 New Year’s Day, 4:00 PM ET
The Rose Bowl - the most storied game in college football - gets a matchup that oozes intrigue.
Indiana, the top seed in the playoff, has been one of the best stories in the country all year. They’ve got the balance, the coaching, and the confidence to make a serious run at the national title. But they better not overlook Alabama.
The Crimson Tide showed their championship DNA in round one, outlasting Oklahoma in a game that had all the makings of a classic. Alabama didn’t just survive - they found ways to win late, leaning on their physicality and experience in the clutch. That’s the kind of edge that can swing a playoff game.
Indiana would be wise to study what happened in last year’s Rose Bowl, when another No. 1 seed - Oregon - came in flat and got steamrolled by Ohio State. The Hoosiers have the tools to win it all, but they’ll need to bring their best against a Bama team that knows how to rise to the occasion.
**Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs.
No. 6 Ole Miss**
📍 New Orleans, LA
🕗 New Year’s Day, 8:00 PM ET
This one could get interesting - or it could get ugly.
Ole Miss handled business in round one, but let’s be honest: Tulane wasn’t exactly a measuring stick. That game also marked the Rebels’ first without Lane Kiffin at the helm, and while they looked fine, the real test comes now. Georgia is a different animal.
The Bulldogs have looked like their old selves lately - fast, physical, and locked in. Their last outing was a statement, steamrolling Alabama in a performance that reminded everyone why they’ve been a fixture in the playoff conversation for years. Kirby Smart has this group clicking at the right time, and they’re eyeing another deep run.
Ole Miss has talent, but they’ll need to play a near-perfect game to hang with Georgia. If the Rebels can’t match the Bulldogs in the trenches, this one could get away from them early.
Final Thoughts
The quarterfinals are here, and the matchups bring a little bit of everything - tradition, firepower, underdog stories, and championship-caliber rosters. From the heavyweight rematch in Dallas to the early fireworks in Miami, New Year’s weekend is shaping up to be a can’t-miss chapter in this expanded playoff era.
Get your snacks ready. This is what college football in December is all about.