2026 College Football Playoff Semifinal Predictions and Betting Insights
The 2025-26 college football season is barreling toward its climax. The College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals are almost here, and anticipation is everywhere you look.
The last of the standard bowl games wrapped up on January 2. But let’s be honest—fans are really buzzing about the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl.
These two games will decide who gets a shot at the national championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida. I’ll dig into the latest odds, expert picks, and what to watch for in these matchups.
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College Football Playoff Semifinals: Key Matchups
This year’s CFP semifinals? Ole Miss vs. Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, and Oregon vs. Indiana in the Peach Bowl. Both should be a blast—there’s a lot on the line, and these teams know it.
Let’s zoom in on each game for a minute.
Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss
The Fiesta Bowl kicks off Thursday, January 8. Miami faces Ole Miss, and the oddsmakers have Miami favored by 3.5 points. Over/under sits at 52.5.
Miami’s been tough all season, so it’s no shock they’re favored. Still, Ole Miss can be unpredictable in the best way. Their offense is lively, and the defense can be gritty when it matters.
If Miami wants to win, they’ll need to keep their defense tight and find ways to break through Ole Miss’s weaker spots. Easier said than done, right?
Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Indiana
The Peach Bowl is set for Friday, January 9. Oregon takes on Indiana, with Indiana favored by 3.5 points. The over/under is 48.5.
This one’s interesting—it’s a rematch from October 11, where they racked up 50 points combined. That old rivalry energy could show up again.
Both teams have defenses that just don’t quit. Oregon blanked Texas Tech 23-0, and Indiana held Alabama to a measly three points. So, it’s not surprising that the SportsLine model thinks the under (48.5) is likely, hitting almost 60% of the time in simulations.
Betting Insights and Expert Picks
If you’re placing bets, the latest odds and expert predictions are worth a look. DraftKings puts Indiana at +130 to win it all, with Miami at +310, Oregon at +320, and Ole Miss at +600.
SportsLine’s model, which simulates every FBS game 10,000 times, has been on a roll. It’s 31-19 on its top college football money-line picks since the start of 2024. That’s a pretty solid track record for betting advice.
For the semis, the model really likes the under (48.5) in Oregon vs. Indiana. Can’t say I disagree, given how those defenses have played.
Why the Under is a Smart Bet
The model projects 46 total points for Oregon vs. Indiana. Both teams have shown they can lock down even the best offenses. That makes the under a tempting pick, and the model’s almost 60% hit rate backs it up.
How to Make Your Picks
Before you lock in any college football picks, it’s smart to check the latest odds and what the experts are saying. SportsLine covers the whole 2025-26 bowl season—spread, money line, over/under, the works.
New users can grab a deal: use the DraftKings promo code, and if your bet wins, you get $300 in bonus bets. Not a bad way to start.
Want an edge? SportsLine gives picks for every game, powered by their trusted model. If you use promo code CHAMPIONSHIP, you can get your first month for just $1. That’s a steal for access to expert picks and predictions.
Final Thoughts
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff semifinals are shaping up to be wild. Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Indiana are all fighting for a shot at the national championship game.
Expert picks and the latest odds are out there, so fans and bettors have a lot to chew on. If you want to keep up, the full CFP picks, odds, and predictions are worth a look.
The season’s almost at its peak, and you can feel the tension building. Whether you live for college football or just check in for the big games, these semifinals should be packed with drama.
Who’s going to pull off the upset? Hard to say, but you probably don’t want to miss it. Tune in and see who survives to play for the national title.
