.jpg?w=1280)
Expert College Football Betting Locks for 2025 Playoff Quarterfinal Games
As we embrace the start of a new year and a fresh, unblemished calendar, we will also celebrate a spectacular 36 hours of college football.
For all the flaws CFB's postseason has, order has been restored in the second round. We've got a slew of fascinating games, and all four point spreads are currently in single digits.
We picked the first rounds, picked winners in bowl games across multiple installments and we'll do the same for the quarterfinals this week. Have no fear; we'll be doing the same exact thing for the semifinals and finals in due time.
No football game will be ignored.
For now, our focus is clear. Here is who we like in the semifinals.
Cotton Bowl: Ohio State (-9.5) vs Miami
1 of 4
Miami did what it needed to do to beat Texas A&M, and the Hurricanes deserve the utmost credit for going on the road in a hostile environment and finding a way to win.
The wind certainly impacted what Miami wanted to do offensively, although running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was able to do the heavy lifting. And, thankfully, the team's rebuilt defense played a beautiful game.
But this will be different in many respects.
Although Ohio State is coming off its first loss of the year in the Big Ten Championship, the defense once again was exceptional. And, given just how good Indiana has been, it's hard to feel any differently about the Buckeyes after the loss.
For Miami, can Carson Beck do enough?
The former Georgia QB struggled against the Aggies, although the conditions, as mentioned, played a part. The Hurricanes will try to get the ball to Malachi Toney in creative ways, although this was a struggle last week.
On the other hand, Ohio State simply feels too deep and versatile. Quarterback Julian Sayin has seen what the best defense in college football looks like, and the Buckeyes wideouts will be healthier after a few weeks off.
Throw in the emerging running game and a defense that won't budge, and it just feels like Miami might not be able to keep up over 60 minutes.
The Pick: Ohio State (-9.5)
Orange Bowl: Texas Tech (+2.5) vs. Oregon
2 of 4
The most intriguing game of the second round is unquestionably the Orange Bowl, and the power of the transfer portal, NIL and brilliant roster management will be on full display.
Both Oregon and Texas Tech have done masterful jobs building their programs through creative ways, and this matchup will feature strength on strength.
For the Ducks, its biggest strength is quarterback Dante Moore. For the Red Raiders, its biggest strength is its defense—headlined by a superb front seven.
How Moore, with a healthier wide receiving core, deals with this pressure will ultimately tell us the story. Moore is fourth in the country in passer rating; the Texas Tech defense is second in the country in sacks.
Something has to give.
Perhaps most concerning for Oregon, however, is how much success James Madison had offensively during its opening game. The Dukes finished with more than 500 yards of offense, averaged more than five yards per carry and scored 34 points.
Granted, the Ducks were superb on offense, and the upset was never in the picture. But some of the holes were glaring, whether it was a lack of motivation or something else.
In the last 10 days or so, Oregon became a slightly larger favorite. Even with the miscues on defense in that game, the line has grown.
For us, we're sticking with Texas Tech. The defense will do its part, the offense will do plenty and the Red Raiders will cover and win outright to stay alive.
The Pick: Texas Tech (+2.5)
Rose Bowl: Alabama (+7) vs. Indiana
3 of 4
Perhaps no sporting event produces the yearly visual excellence that the Rose Bowl produces in most years, although this could be the exception.
At the time this story is being written, rain and clouds are being forecasted. This could put a damper on those in search of that magnificent sunset; it could also slow down this game significantly.
Even with a fast track, this game doesn't feel like it will be oozing with offense. With a total comfortably below 50, defense, especially in off weather, could rule.
Indiana found just enough offense in its 13-10 win over Ohio State. In that game, quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw one touchdown and one interception. Down the stretch, however, he made a series of key throws.
Ohio State did its part to blow the Big Ten Championship with a slew of peculiar play calls, but the Hoosiers' defense was absolutely superb.
Alabama, after falling behind Oklahoma 17-0 in the opening round of the playoff, looked like a completely different team for the final 35 minutes. Quarterback Ty Simpson looked comfortable, the offensive line finally held up, and freshman wideout Lotzeir Brooks looked like a future star.
It's hard to know exactly what Alabama team we're poised to get, although the version we saw for the final 30 minutes is more than capable of staying with Indiana. Mendoza hasn't exactly dazzled against better teams, either.
Indiana will find a way to win, although the Crimson Tide will make this one awfully tight.
The Pick: Alabama (+7)
Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Ole Miss (Over 55.5)
4 of 4
The last time these two teams played, back in the middle of October, they combined to score nearly 80 points.
In that game, Ole Miss led by nine points with less than 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Two Gunner Stockton touchdowns and a Georgia field goal in the fourth quarter, however, ultimately served as the difference.
The Bulldogs won 43-35, and they've been playing improved football ever since.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, showed us that life after Lane Kiffin, at least with this particular team, will be just fine. The Rebels absolutely clobbered Tulane 41-10 in the first round despite dealing with injuries with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy.
Both should be good to go for this game, although Lacy, who is battling a shoulder injury, is worth keeping an eye on.
Even with these concerns, the Ole Miss offense should be in fine shape. While Georgia will serve as a much bigger challenge than Tulane, the Rebels showcased just how potent this offense can be even without their former head coach.
For Georgia, this game is all about picking up where it left off. The Bulldogs were superb the last month of the season, capping off a brilliant stretch with a dominant win over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game.
While Georgia has been significantly better defensively, this still feels like an over game. Ole Miss will move with pace, and Georgia will do its part to keep up. The Bulldogs will win, but Pete Golding's group will do enough.
The Pick: Over 55.5
