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2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Predictions
After a pair of slight upsets and two blowouts, the College Football Playoff is heading into an action-packed set of quarterfinals games.
First on the list—kicking off New Year's Eve—is a clash between Miami and Ohio State. The next three contests will happen on New Year's Day, starting with Oregon meeting Texas Tech followed by Alabama taking on top-ranked and ending with a rematch between SEC foes Ole Miss and Georgia.
The winners will advance to the CFP semifinals at the Fiesta and Peach Bowls.
Organized chronologically, we have predictions for each contest—along with scheduled kickoff times and viewing information.
Rankings are based on the CFP Top 25.
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State
1 of 4
When: 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31 (ESPN)
Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
About two decades ago, Ohio State clipped Miami thanks to a highly suspect pass interference penalty. Hopefully, this result isn't so controversial.
But it might be similarly competitive.
For that to happen, Miami needs a great showing from its elite defense. If a disruptive front line and sticky secondary plays to their potential, the 'Canes will be a serious threat for a talented, not necessarily overwhelming OSU offense.
The main obstacle, though, is whether Miami can consistently move the ball. Expect offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to empty the trick-play and misdirection bag—particularly to get star freshman Malachi Toney more touches—in hopes of stealing a few chunk plays and easing the pressure on Carson Beck.
Miami should stay close, but OSU's defense will ultimately be too much.
Prediction: Ohio State 23, Miami 16
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech
2 of 4
When: Noon ET on Thursday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
Can the Oregon offense finally handle a top defense?
In three matchups with Top 25 units—Indiana, Iowa and Washington—the Ducks averaged a modest 344 yards and 21.3 points.
Texas Tech, meanwhile, has surrendered more than 325 yards or 20 points in a single game all season. Even more impressively, the Red Raiders' last four opponents have topped out at 255 and nine, respectively.
To be clear: Oregon's defense is fantastic, as well. The potential for a low-scoring game in South Florida is very real.
The strongest unit on the field, nevertheless, is a Texas Tech defense that also leads the country in takeaways.
Prediction: Texas Tech 22, Oregon 19
No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana
3 of 4
When: 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)
Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
In the Granddaddy of Them All, former Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer leads longtime power Alabama into a showdown with former Bama assistant Curt Cignetti and his top-ranked, rising Indiana program.
The storylines here are abundant.
However, the main topic is simple: Which defense will control the day? Bama's offense has failed to crack 300 yards in three straight games, and IU has only played a few Alabama-level defenses—Iowa, Oregon and Ohio State—this season.
Based on two decades of Alabama excellence, this should be when the Crimson Tide knock down a flashy newcomer. The struggle to believe it, though, is Bama's offense has been so frustratingly mediocre lately.
Indiana must avoid the giveaways that crushed Auburn and Oklahoma in recent losses to Bama, but IU's first-string group hasn't had multiple turnovers all year.
Prediction: Indiana 24, Alabama 20
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No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia
4 of 4
When: 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)
Where: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Back in mid-October, Georgia used a fourth-quarter surge to overcome a poor defensive start and defeat Ole Miss 43-35.
The expectation is a little more defense this time around.
As always, a bad turnover can influence the outcome. Both teams average one giveaway and takeaway per game with an overall margin of exactly zero, so any significant aberration would be notable and likely very consequential.
Still, the bigger story is how both red-zone defenses were atrocious two months ago. Ole Miss scored touchdowns on all four trips inside UGA's 20-yard line, and Georgia put up four touchdowns with one field goal in five red-zone drives.
That type of margin will probably shape this result, too—and it's easy to trust what's been a lockdown UGA defense lately to secure a slim edge.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Ole Miss 26
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