College Football Playoff Semifinal Predictions and Expert Picks

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is down to just four teams. Only a handful remain in the hunt for the national championship.

With the semifinals coming up, fans and experts are buzzing. These matchups will decide who heads to the title game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

This year’s semifinals bring together a pretty wild mix of teams, each carrying their own stories and strengths. There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s get into the details, predictions, and some expert takes for the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl.

Fiesta Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Miami

The Fiesta Bowl kicks off the semifinals on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. It’s Ole Miss Rebels, seeded No. 6, facing the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.

This could be a shootout. Both teams have strong offenses and defenses that know how to make big plays.

Key Players to Watch

For Ole Miss, all eyes are on quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He’s been slippery in the pocket, pulling off some wild escapes and big throws this season.

But the real test? The Rebels have to keep Chambliss upright against Miami’s nasty defensive ends, Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor. Miami’s D-line has been a problem for opponents—they sacked Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed seven times in the first round. That’s no joke.

Miami’s offense, meanwhile, will try to pick apart Ole Miss’ defense, which is solid but not exactly elite. The Hurricanes have some playmakers who’ve been quiet against top defenses, but they’re likely to put up at least three touchdowns here.

Ole Miss, on the other hand, has scored 30 or more points in eight straight games. It’s hard to imagine this not turning into a high-scoring battle.

Expert Prediction: Brandon Marcello thinks it all comes down to whether Miami can get to Chambliss. If they can’t, Ole Miss probably wins. But if the Rebels’ O-line cracks, Miami could steal it. Marcello’s leaning toward the over 51.5 points for this one.

Peach Bowl: Indiana vs. Oregon

The second semifinal is Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. It’s an all-Big Ten clash: No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 5 Oregon Ducks.

One thing’s for sure—a Big Ten team will be in the CFP National Championship Game. The conference has been on a real run lately.

Indiana’s Strengths

Indiana’s been a juggernaut this season. Head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff have earned a lot of trust for their game plans.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza keeps delivering when it matters, showing he can handle the heat. The Hoosiers’ defense is tough and will have their hands full trying to contain Oregon’s quarterback, Dante Moore.

They’ve already beaten Oregon once this year. It’s never easy to do it twice, but Indiana’s balance and coaching give them a real shot.

Oregon’s Challenges

Oregon’s got Dante Moore under center, and he’s flashed some brilliance. But Indiana’s defense is a different kind of test.

Moore will need to step it up, and Oregon’s coaches have to fix what went wrong last time these teams met. That’s a tall order.

Expert Prediction: John Talty is backing Indiana. He thinks it’ll be closer than the first game, but expects Indiana to cover the -3.5 point spread.

Potential Championship Matchups

The possible title game pairings are already getting people talking. If a Big Ten team takes the championship, it’ll be three years in a row with a different program from the conference on top. That says a lot about the Big Ten’s depth.

Big Ten Dominance

Both Indiana and Oregon making the semifinals just shows how strong the Big Ten has been this year. A win for either would only add to the conference’s growing reputation.

ACC and SEC Contenders

If Miami pulls it off, it’d be the ACC’s first title since Clemson in 2018. For Ole Miss, a win would make them the SEC’s fourth different champ since 2019, joining LSU, Alabama, and Georgia. That’s some impressive company.

Conclusion

The College Football Playoff semifinals are almost here. You can feel the buzz building.

Both the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl look set for some real fireworks. Each team has its own story, its quirks, and honestly, a few surprises up their sleeves.

Maybe you’re pulling for the Big Ten to keep rolling. Or maybe you’re hoping the ACC shakes things up. Of course, there’s always someone rooting for an SEC juggernaut.

No matter your allegiance, these games should hook just about any college football fan. It’s hard not to get swept up in it.

If you want a deeper dive or some expert takes, here’s the full story on CBS Sports.