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Jackson's College Football Playoff predictions. His breakdown and analysis for all 11 college football postseason games, including the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship.
College Football Playoff Predictions
At long last, the College Football Playoffs are set to begin. We have a surprising group of teams in Year 2 of the 12-team CFP era, and half of the first round games look like potential blowouts. However, you should expect the unexpected in college football, and be sure to soak in as many games are you can before the season abruptly ends.
In this article, we’ll predict all 11 College Football Playoff games. Let’s waste no more time and jump into it!
No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon
The CFP Committee never dreamed this would happen when the guidelines for the 12-team playoff were announced. The ACC was weak this season, which allowed a second Group of Five school to get into the playoff. James Madison’s reward is a road game at Oregon, the No. 5 team in the country.
It’s difficult to find a path for the Dukes to have any chance here.
Prediction: Oregon 43, James Madison 13
No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss
Jon Sumrall has been excellent as Tulane’s head coach, and he’s headed to Gainesville whenever the Green Wave’s season ends. On the other side of this matchup, Ole Miss heads into its first-ever College Football Playoff game with a new head coach after the departure of Lane Kiffin.
In September, Ole Miss beat Tulane by 35. I expect the rematch to be closer, but the Rebels’ roster alone should be enough to overpower Tulane in this spot.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Tulane 16
No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M
Miami was ranked behind Notre Dame for several weeks, despite the head-to-head win over the Irish in Week 1. But the Canes jumped ahead of Notre Dame and took the final spot in the CFP. They’ll face the other team that beat Notre Dame, Texas A&M.
Which Carson Beck will we get in this matchup? That will likely determine who wins this. I see Miami giving Texas A&M’s rushing offense fits, which could be the key to victory. Miami advances.
Prediction: Miami 23, Texas A&M 20
No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
Kalen DeBoer is 0-2 against Brent Venables in this Alabama vs. Oklahoma matchup. Bama lost its first game at home under DeBoer against Oklahoma just over a month ago. Will the third matchup in the last two seasons be any different?
The Sooners’ defense has found a way to shut down Alabama’s offense and force turnovers, but if Alabama takes care of the ball, it’s hard to trust John Mateer and the Oklahoma offense based on how they have played since September. I see Alabama winning an ugly, low-scoring fistfight.
Prediction: Alabama 17, Oklahoma 10
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State
Fresh off its first loss of the season, Ohio State will have had nearly a month to rest up and prepare for either Texas A&M or Miami. Last year, all four teams that got a first-round bye went one-and-done in the CFP, so that’s something to keep an eye on.
But I don’t trust Carson Beck against the nation’s best defense, and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal hasn’t exactly had the best reputation in big games like this.
Prediction: Ohio State 24, Miami 14
No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana
Fernando Mendoza is heading into this matchup as the Heisman Trophy winner, and Indiana just feels like a team of destiny, yeah? Make no mistake, Alabama has significantly more talent, but the Hoosiers have been a far superior overall team in 2025.
The Tide’s inability to run the ball will be its death in a matchup with Indiana’s stingy defense and opportunistic offense.
Prediction: Indiana 27, Alabama 16
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia
With Ole Miss advancing after defeating Tulane, the Rebels get a second crack at Georgia, the only team to defeat them in the regular season. Ole Miss scored touchdowns on its first five drives in Athens before being shut out in the fourth quarter and being outscored by 17.
But Georgia’s defense is much improved since that mid-October meeting, and the Bulldogs are hot after an SEC Championship Game win.
Prediction: Georgia 34, Ole Miss 20
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech
Texas Tech is having the best season in school history, and it looks like the Red Raiders could be here to stay in the NIL era and transfer portal era. Joey McGuire led one of the most dominant teams in the country this season, but the team hasn’t run into a program as talented as Oregon. This would be the first time Texas Tech does not have the talent edge this season.
This is one of the most fascinating potential matchups of the entire CFP, and I expect it to be close. But Oregon has been in and won these big games, and give me Dante Moore of Behren Morton all day.
Prediction: Oregon 26, Texas Tech 23
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 1 Indiana
Oregon’s only loss this season came against Indiana, and it was a shocker at the time. The Hoosiers walked into Eugene and took a 10-point win home after harassing Dante Moore to the tune of six sacks and two interceptions.
If Dan Lanning wants to be recognized as one of the best coaches in the sport, he has to find a way to turn the tide against Curt Cignetti here. I’ll bet on it.
Prediction: Oregon 24, Indiana 21
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 2 Ohio State
Ohio State looked like an unstoppable force before its loss to Indiana in the Big Ten title game. And now, when you look back at the Buckeyes’ schedule, it’s fair to ask where the quality win is. A Week 1 win over Texas at home and a Week 13 win over a Michigan team with turmoil going on in its program are the best they have.
Meanwhile, Georgia is playing its best football, and Kirby Smart is doing one of the best coaching jobs of his career. Georgia advances to the CFP National Championship Game.
Prediction: Georgia 20, Ohio State 17
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 3 Georgia
Kirby Smart vs. Dan Lanning. What a matchup. Lanning worked as Smart’s defensive coordinator in Athens for three seasons, helping him build one of the best defenses in modern history. Both coaches are elite motivators, and neither team is lacking in the talent department.
It’s hard to pick against Georgia right now, as they are battle-tested and have found a way to win despite plenty of late-game adversity. Smart adds a third CFP National Championship to his resume.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Oregon 21
