The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are here, and if you're a fan of big-time matchups, elite quarterback play, and high-stakes drama, this slate is exactly what the postseason should look like. All four quarterfinal games are airing on ESPN, with the action kicking off tonight in prime time and continuing through New Year’s Day. The road to the national title is officially heating up.
Tonight’s Main Event: Miami vs. Ohio State, Cotton Bowl, 5:30 p.m. PT
It all starts under the lights at the Cotton Bowl, where Miami and Ohio State go head-to-head in a prime-time showdown. This is a clash of powerhouse programs with deep postseason pedigrees, and the winner punches their ticket to the semifinals. Expect a physical, fast-paced game with plenty of NFL-caliber talent on both sidelines.
New Year’s Day Tripleheader: It’s a Full Day of CFP Football
New Year’s Day brings a full slate of quarterfinal action, starting bright and early with the Orange Bowl:
- **Orange Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas Tech, 9:00 a.m.
PT, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)**
This one has all the makings of a shootout.
Oregon enters as a 2.5-point favorite, and the oddsmakers are expecting fireworks with an over/under of 51.5. The Ducks are -130 on the Moneyline, while the Red Raiders sit at +110.
Weather shouldn’t be a factor-63 degrees, sunny, and light winds in Miami.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire didn’t hold back in his pregame press conference, calling it “the best game without a doubt in these quarterfinals.” He described the matchup as “like looking in a mirror,” citing the strength of both defenses and the explosiveness of the offenses. And he had high praise for Ducks quarterback Dante Moore, calling him the best QB Tech has faced all year.
McGuire emphasized that the battle in the trenches will likely decide this one-who can keep their quarterback upright while generating pressure on the other side. That’s where Tech has lived all season.
Their defense has made a habit of disrupting opposing backfields, forcing turnovers, and shutting down the run. Outside of a narrow 26-21 loss at Arizona State-when their starting quarterback was sidelined with a leg injury-Tech has rolled through opponents, winning by three touchdowns or more in every other game.
- **Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Indiana, 2:00 p.m.
PT, Pasadena**
The winner of this one will face the Orange Bowl victor in the Peach Bowl semifinal.
Alabama, with its postseason pedigree, meets an Indiana squad that’s been one of the season’s biggest surprises. Pasadena’s iconic backdrop sets the stage for a matchup that could come down to the final possession.
- **Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Georgia, 6:00 p.m.
PT, Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)**
Two SEC heavyweights battle it out in the Sugar Bowl nightcap.
Georgia brings its trademark physicality and depth, while Ole Miss will try to push the tempo and force the Bulldogs into a track meet. This one feels like a classic SEC slugfest with national implications.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Title
If Oregon takes care of business in the Orange Bowl, they’ll advance to the Peach Bowl semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, January 9 at 4:30 p.m. PT. That game will air on ESPN, just like the rest of the CFP.
And then, the big one: the National Championship Game, set for Monday, January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, 4:30 p.m. PT. One team will emerge from this gauntlet with the ultimate prize in college football.
So buckle up. The quarterfinals are here, and they’re loaded with storylines, star power, and championship stakes. This is what the expanded College Football Playoff promised-and it’s delivering in a big way.