College Football Playoff Semifinals: Matchups, Schedule, and Key Dates
The 2025 college football season has been a wild ride, honestly. Now, just four teams are left in the chase for the national championship.
As the College Football Playoff (CFP) moves into the semifinals, fans are buzzing with anticipation. There’s a mix of old favorites and unexpected contenders this year—No. 1 Indiana faces No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl, while No. 6 Ole Miss takes on No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Let’s get into the details of these matchups. There’s a lot to look forward to as the national championship game draws closer.
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CFP Semifinals: A Clash of Titans
The College Football Playoff semifinals should be packed with drama. Four teams, one shot at glory—every play is going to matter.
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon: Peach Bowl Showdown
Indiana Hoosiers have been on a tear this season. After a first-round bye, they steamrolled No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, 38-3.
This win was a big deal, especially since teams coming off byes have mostly struggled lately, with a rough 1-7 record in the two years of the 12-team CFP format. Their next challenge is the Oregon Ducks, who’ve had their own share of ups and downs.
Oregon’s defense looked shaky against James Madison in the first round, but then they completely shut out No. 4 Texas Tech, 23-0. Now, they’re set for a rematch with Indiana, who already beat them 30-20 earlier this season.
The Peach Bowl is shaping up to be a real test—Indiana’s offense versus Oregon’s defense. It’s tough to say who’s got the edge, but it’s bound to be a fight.
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami: Fiesta Bowl Battle
The Ole Miss Rebels have surprised a lot of people this year. They punched their ticket to the semifinals with a wild 39-34 win over No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, sealed by Lucas Carneiro’s game-winning kick with six seconds left.
Miami Hurricanes, meanwhile, are the only team left with a national title in their recent history—they last won it all in 2001. They got here by knocking out reigning champ No. 2 Ohio State, 24-14, thanks in large part to their defensive line, which racked up five sacks.
The Fiesta Bowl feels like a clash of opposites: Ole Miss’s fast-paced offense versus Miami’s tough defense. This one could go either way, honestly.
Road to the National Championship
The national championship game is almost here, and you can feel the tension building. The winners of the Peach and Fiesta Bowls will square off for the crown.
- Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
- CFP Championship Game: 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo)
All the games will be on ESPN, and you can stream them live on Fubo if that’s more your thing. The excitement’s only getting stronger as the season comes to a head.
Key Players to Watch
Several players have really stepped up for their teams. Here are a few names to keep an eye on as the semifinals and (maybe) championship roll around:
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers have leaned on both sides of the ball. Their quarterback has shown off some serious arm strength and accuracy.
- Quarterback: Indiana’s signal-caller has been a huge part of their run.
- Defensive Line: The defensive front has been relentless, forcing turnovers and pressuring QBs all season.
Oregon Ducks
Oregon’s game is pretty balanced. Their running back is a real workhorse, and the linebackers have been everywhere.
- Running Back: The ground game has powered a lot of their wins.
- Linebackers: Oregon’s linebackers made a statement in the Texas Tech shutout.
Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss has thrived on big plays and clutch moments. Their quarterback is a dual threat, and Carneiro’s kick against Georgia was legendary.
- Quarterback: He’s been making plays with both his arm and his legs.
- Kicker: Lucas Carneiro’s late-game heroics have made him a fan favorite.
Miami Hurricanes
Defense is Miami’s calling card. Their defensive line, in particular, has been a nightmare for opponents.
- Defensive Line: Five sacks against Ohio State says it all.
- Wide Receivers: Miami’s receivers have come up big in crunch time.
Conclusion
The 2025 college football season has been wild so far. The College Football Playoff semifinals are shaping up to keep that energy rolling.
No. 1 Indiana is set to face No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl. Meanwhile, No. 6 Ole Miss will go up against No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Fans are probably going to get some wild moments in these games. It’s hard not to get a little excited thinking about what’s coming up next.
If you want all the gritty details on the CFP bracket, schedule, and teams, you can check out the USA Today article. Might be worth a look before kickoff.
