Winners and Losers of the College Football Playoff First-Round Games
After two slight upsets and two predictable blowouts, the College Football Playoff is moving to the quarterfinal round.
Oklahoma blew a 17-point lead against Alabama on Friday night, and Miami survived a rock fight at Texas A&M. Then, both Ole Miss and Oregon dispatched Group of Five teams Tulane and James Madison, respectively.
And we have thoughts about that G5 situation—just maybe not what you think.
The winners and losers from the CFP's opening round include a couple of key storylines from each of the four contests.
Winner: Alabama WR Lotzeir Brooks
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What a moment for Lotzeir Brooks to have a breakout game.
First, he helped a staggering offense snap its initial funk. After failing to pick up a first down on three straight drives, the Crimson Tide saw Brooks shake loose for an essential 29-yard reception on third down.
He capped the drive in style, twisting into the end zone for a 10-yard score. The touchdown gave Alabama some life after falling behind Oklahoma 17-0.
Fast-forward to the second half, and Brooks corralled a 30-yard touchdown that pushed the Tide in front 24-17.
Brooks, a true freshman, sparked Bama in the biggest moment of the season with season-best totals of five catches, 79 yards and two scores.
Loser: Oklahoma's Meltdown
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In the first 20 minutes of the game, Oklahoma put up 17 points on four possessions. It looked like the Sooners might obliterate the visiting Tide.
However, that dream swiftly became a nightmare.
On the heels of Bama's first touchdown, a four-play drive culminated in Grayson Miller fumbling before he could punt. After a field goal trimmed OU's lead to seven, John Mateer threw a horrid pick-six. Suddenly, the score was tied.
Unfortunately for the Sooners, it wouldn't get better—starting with a decision not to even attempt a Hail Mary as the opening half expired.
The offense went three-and-out on four of its first five possessions in the second half, watching a 17-all deadlock become a 34-24 deficit. Two late missed field goals from All-American kicker Tate Sandell sealed the Sooners' fate.
Oklahoma will remember this painful loss as a wasted opportunity.
Winner: Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
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When coaches talk about the value of culture-building players, Mark Fletcher Jr. would be a prime example.
A local product, he's been an impactful piece for Miami for three straight years—beyond the field, too. When the 'Canes were interested in star transfer Damien Martinez last year, Fletcher turned into a lead recruiter. The desire to have the best team possible, no matter the individual impact, superseded all else.
In other words: There was no more deserving clutch player for Miami.
Fletcher piled up a career-high 172 yards in the ugly 10-3 victory at Texas, ripping off a game-deciding 56-yard scamper in the final minutes. That run, plus a few more carries, put the 'Canes in position for Malachi Toney's winning score.
Miami won because of its defense—more on that shortly—but Fletcher earned a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Loser: Special Teams in College Station
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"Forgettable" is the kindest word possible.
On a windy day at Kyle Field, the third phase was a disaster for both Miami and Texas A&M. Truly, it was horrendous.
A&M returner KC Concepcion mishandled but recovered a punt, then Jared Zirkel failed to lift a 22-yard field goal that was blocked. The wind carried a 47-yard attempt from Miami's Carter Davis wide right, A&M whiffed on a fake punt and Davis horribly shanked a 40-yard field goal.
Mercifully, the game reached halftime. Yeesh.
But wait, there's more! Davis clanked a 37-yard kick off the left upright, ruining yet another key scoring opportunity for the Hurricanes.
It was not a special day for special teams in Texas.
Winner: Miami's Rebuilt Defense
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The difference a year makes, in the transfer era of college football, is clearly reflected in the 2024 Miami defense compared to 2025.
Last season, the unit imploded down the stretch and cost the Hurricanes a trip to the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff. This year, however, the defense was the catalyst to U-M's success.
And particularly so on Saturday.
Miami bent but legitimately never broke, yielding a single gain of 20-plus yards—something that had made Texas A&M dangerous all season. Miami amassed nine tackles for loss with a staggering seven sacks and forced three turnovers, including a game-sealing interception from Bryce Fitzgerald in the final seconds.
Between seven impactful transfers, a boost from true freshman Fitzgerald and new coordinator Corey Hetherman, the 'Canes rebuilt their defense on the fly and won a Playoff game because of those changes.
Winner: Ole Miss, Sans Lane Kiffin
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Any number of storylines are rational.
But after a month-plus of rumors, whispers and a frustrating exit, Ole Miss moved past the noise and obliterated Tulane 41-10.
Time to exhale, Rebels fans.
Trinidad Chambliss totaled 318 yards and three touchdowns, while Kewan Lacy rushed for 87 yards and a score. Deuce Alexander, De'Zhaun Stribling and Dae'Quan Wright each notched at least 60 receiving yards, and the defense—led by Suntarine Perkins—posted eight tackles for loss.
The heavy favorites backed up their billing. There was no drama, no nerves for about the last 25 minutes. Ole Miss handled what it needed to do.
Considering what has happened since the Lane Kiffin saga began, Saturday night was a breath of fresh air in Oxford.
Loser: Tulane's Efficiency
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Look at the box score, and it may seem Tulane had a fighting chance. Ole Miss outgained the Green Wave 497-421, only a 78-yard difference.
The score, though? That 31-point margin is glaring.
In simplest terms, the problem is how Tulane's offense repeatedly bogged down in its promising moments.
The opening drive stalled with an interception inside the 25-yard line. The next possession ended with a turnover on downs inside the 40. Field goal inside the 25, two punts in Ole Miss territory, a turnover on downs at midfield, two fumbles and a turnover on downs inside the 30.
Tulane had chances. Oh, the Green Wave had chances. But their struggles to finish drives paved the road to a blowout result.
Winner: Oregon's Dominance
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If you like drama or underdogs, well, Oregon did nothing for you.
From the opening drive, the Ducks controlled the game. They scored a touchdown on five straight possessions, building an insurmountable 34-3 edge and eventually closing out a 51-34 victory.
Dante Moore tossed two interceptions, but he completed 19-of-27 passes for 313 yards with four touchdowns and scampered in a fifth. Jordon Davison rushed for a team-high 90 yards, and Dierre Hill Jr. ripped off a 56-yard touchdown to help Oregon race out to that comfortable lead.
The defense? No major problems. James Madison put up 509 yards and 34 points, sure, but a heavy majority of that production came in garbage time.
Oregon ensured the outcome was never in doubt.
Loser: CFP Administration
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Take a seat, my friends, let's chat.
Was it a bummer to watch Tulane and James Madison get throttled by Ole Miss and Oregon? Yeah, probably. I would've preferred to see, at the very least, Notre Dame in the CFP over one of those programs this season.
There is a specific place to direct your ire, though: The people in charge of the College Football Playoff format.
And that's not Tulane or JMU.
Call your senators, call your governors, call your delightfully opinionated neighbor. Tell them automatic bids to the CFP—which I reluctantly acknowledge are probably not going away—are a horrendous idea.
The system guaranteed we would have at least two of Tulane, JMU or five-loss ACC champion Duke in 2025. That means it's a bad system.
I have zero, absolutely zero, problem with two Group of Five programs making the field this season. Tulane and James Madison, with no hesitation, deserved a trip to the Playoff more than Duke.
But if the CFP administration refuses to make changes, this entirely avoidable situation can—and probably will—happen again.
Blame the people in power, not the little guys.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
