On Sunday, the 2025 college football playoff bracket became official. This is the second edition of the 12-team playoff. If you are unfamiliar with the format, the top 5 highest ranked conference champions get an auto-bid, the rest are at-large. The top 4 teams, regardless of conference placement, get a first round bye. In this format, at least one G5 (group of five) team will get into the playoff and fight for a national championship. I like this format because it gives the smaller market teams a chance to win. However, it makes conference championship games practically meaningless and lowers the importance of regular season games. I would lower the playoff to 6-8 teams.

Matchups:

#5 Oregon vs. #12 James Madison-

This matchup is an intriguing one because it’s one of the G5 bids. Oregon has been a really shaky team this year and James Madison has a lot of upside. I’m putting this game on upset alert. However, the winner of this game might not make it very far after because they will play one of the best defenses we’ve ever seen in Texas Tech.

#6 Ole Miss vs. #11 Tulane-

I don’t have a lot to say about this game. This game already happened earlier this season and Ole Miss blew Tulane out by 35 points. However, Ole Miss doesn’t have a head coach anymore, we’ll see if that is a blessing in disguise.

#7 Texas A&M vs. #10 Miami-

College Station will be pumped for their first ever playoff game in school history. The Miami offense led by Carson Beck will have to play in one of the most hostile environments on the sports landscape. The winner of this game will be tasked with taking down an angry Ohio State team coming off of a tough B1G Championship loss.

#8 Oklahoma vs. #9 Alabama-

Alabama got into the playoff controversially after having three losses and getting blown out in the SEC championship game. Kalen Deboer, the head coach at Alabama, has lost to OU in both years of his short tenure. Will it be another?

My picks:

First Round:

#5 Oregon vs. #12 JMU

Oregon 28-13

#6 Ole Miss vs. #11 Tulane

Ole Miss 42-20

#7 Texas A&M vs. #10 Miami

Texas A&M 21-16

#8 Oklahoma vs. #9 Alabama

Oklahoma 24-14

Quarterfinals:

#4 Texas Tech vs. #5 Oregon

Texas Tech 31-14

#3 Georgia vs. #6 Ole Miss

Georgia 31-20

#2 Ohio State vs. #7 Texas A&M

Ohio State 17-9

#1 Indiana vs. #8 Oklahoma

Indiana 27-24

Semi-finals:

#1 Indiana vs. #4 Texas Tech

Indiana 20-13

#2 Ohio State vs. #3 Georgia

Ohio State 31-21

National championship:

#1 Indiana vs. #2 Ohio State

Ohio State 20-16