2025 College Football Playoff: Why Each Team Can Win Championship

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is here, and you can feel the buzz everywhere. This 12-team bracket has a wild mix of usual suspects and some real surprises, with every team chasing the same dream.

From the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers to the longshot stories of Tulane and James Madison, there’s at least a sliver of hope for each. Let’s take a look at why every squad in this CFP could actually win it all in Miami Gardens on January 19, 2026.

Indiana: The Unbeaten Juggernaut

Indiana’s been the most efficient team in college football this year. Last season wasn’t just luck—they’re the last unbeaten team left in major college football.

They’re the only FBS team ranked top five in both offensive EPA per play (0.24) and defensive EPA per play (0.20). On top of that, they lead the FBS in offensive success rate (55.8%) and are sixth on defense (62.8%).

That defense is nasty, with a No. 1 havoc rate (22.1%), always finding ways to make something happen. They’re doing all this despite being dead last in the Big Ten in the 247Sports Team Talent Composite.

Coaching Excellence

That’s a huge credit to Curt Cignetti and his staff. Indiana’s efficiency and opportunistic defense? It’s not a fluke—they’ve got a real shot.

Ohio State: The Complete Team

Ohio State’s path to a repeat title looks brutal, but honestly, there’s not a soft spot on this roster. Losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship might’ve been a blessing in disguise—sometimes you need that wake-up call.

Star-Studded Roster

The Buckeyes have four CBS Sports first-team All-Americans: WR Jeremiah Smith, DT Kayden McDonald, LB Arvell Reese, and S Caleb Downs. Don’t forget Heisman finalist QB Julian Sayin.

They’re still one of the most complete teams in the field. Would you bet against them making another run?

Georgia: The Championship DNA

Best coach in the CFP? Some might blurt out Curt Cignetti, but come on—it’s Kirby Smart. The guy’s already got two national titles and just picked up a fourth SEC championship, getting payback for Georgia’s only loss to Bama.

Dominant and Vicious

The Bulldogs look just as scary as ever. NFL-level talent everywhere, a defense that suffocates the run and pass, and an offense that’s taken a step up.

Georgia’s got that championship DNA, and it starts with Smart at the top.

Texas Tech: The Defensive Nightmare

Texas Tech’s defense is a real problem for anyone. With All-Americans Jacob Rodriguez, David Bailey, and Lee Hunter leading the way—and guys like Romello Height and A.J. Holmes Jr.—they control the line and punish mistakes in the secondary.

Turnover Machines

The Red Raiders allow just 2.3 yards per carry, best in the FBS, and they’re top five in pass defense at 5.4 yards per attempt. But their real superpower? Turnovers.

They lead the nation with 15 fumble recoveries and sit 10th with 16 picks, while only giving up 11 touchdowns. Even the flashiest CFP offenses could get ground down by this group.

Oregon: The Offensive Arsenal

We haven’t seen Oregon at full strength offensively all year. Receivers Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr. missed a chunk of the season, and there’s still a chance Evan Stewart makes his debut.

If those guys return, QB Dante Moore and the Ducks suddenly look a lot scarier. Their offense could finally snap into gear at just the right time.

Balanced Attack

Oregon’s got the pieces to be a legit title threat. The quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl against Texas Tech? That could be the stage where it all comes together.

Ole Miss: The Motivated Rebels

Things are tense in Oxford after Lane Kiffin’s sudden jump to LSU right before the CFP. Most of the staff stuck around, though, with Charlie Weis Jr. back as OC and Pete Golding calling the defense while stepping up as head coach.

Unfinished Business

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is starting to look like a real star, raising his game when it matters. With the staff’s continuity and a fired-up locker room, Ole Miss has a shot to turn all that drama into a playoff run.

Texas A&M: The Complete Team

The Aggies might be the most well-rounded team in the field—at least among those without a first-round bye. They’ve won shootouts, toughed out physical games, and made clutch defensive stops.

Offensive Firepower

Quarterback Marcel Reed was in the Heisman mix before the loss to Texas. He’s got help, too—transfer wideouts KC Concepcion and Mario Craver have racked up 1,711 yards and 14 touchdowns together.

Rueben Owens II and Le’Veon Moss form a backfield that balances Reed’s own mobility. It’s a group that can win in a bunch of ways.

Oklahoma: The Defensive Powerhouse

Oklahoma’s defense can bail out even the shakiest days from quarterback John Mateer—like that three-pick game against LSU with everything on the line. The Sooners are top three among Power Four teams in defensive success rate (65.5%), defensive EPA per play (0.17), and havoc rate (21.6%).

Quarterback Pressure

They get after QBs, too—41 sacks, tied for most in the FBS. That kind of pressure can rattle anyone and gives Oklahoma a real chance to shake up the CFP.

Alabama: The Health Factor

Let’s be honest, Alabama limped into the CFP after getting rolled by Georgia and barely scraping by with a +2 point margin since late October. But they’re finally getting healthy for their first CFP run without Nick Saban.

Returning Stars

With a fuller roster, Alabama’s running game—so flat without Miller—could finally look like itself again. That balance and toughness might be just what they need for a real run.

Miami: The Balanced Hurricanes

Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes have been playing every snap like it’s do-or-die since losing to SMU in overtime on November 1. Over the last month, Miami’s looked as balanced and confident as anyone.

Quarterback on Fire

Quarterback Carson Beck is on fire—since Week 11, he’s thrown 12 touchdowns with a 79.5% completion rate, tops among Power Four QBs. If he keeps making smart decisions and the offense stays hot, Miami could finally chase down a national title for the first time since 2001.

Tulane: The Group of Five Contender

Tulane gets a first-round rematch with Ole Miss after getting blown out 45-10 in September. With Lane Kiffin already gone to Baton Rouge, who knows how the Rebels will respond?

Tulane’s quietly become one of the best Group of Five programs since 2022, when they rolled to 12 wins and a Cotton Bowl victory. The Green Wave have the third-lowest sack rate allowed (2.5%), tie for second-best sack differential (+24), and are ninth in turnover margin (+10).

Offensive Line Strength

If things break their way, Tulane could flip the script in a rematch—and maybe surprise even more.

James Madison: The Ultimate Underdog

James Madison didn’t just show up for a participation trophy. The Dukes earned their spot in this 12-team bracket, and like any great underdog, they’ve got a chip on their shoulder.

Defensive Prowess

The Dukes are sitting at No. 1 in the FBS for defensive success rate (66.2%). They’re also seventh in defensive EPA per play (0.16).

This defense is sneaky and just plain suffocating. Honestly, it could give almost anyone a headache—especially if James Madison manages to get past Oregon.

And hey, if they avoid a semifinal against ex-coach Curt Cignetti and Indiana, things could get interesting.

For a more detailed breakdown of each team’s strengths and odds, check out CBS Sports.