Expert College Football Playoff Predictions and Betting Guide for Quarterfinals

The second round of the College Football Playoff is here, and you can feel the buzz. With four quarterfinal matchups lined up, fans are itching to see who makes it to the semifinals.

This year’s playoff lineup is a wild mix—some usual powerhouses, a couple of unexpected contenders. It’s tough to predict, honestly. Let’s take a look at each matchup, throw in some insights, and see what the experts are saying.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami

This game’s a little trickier than the odds make it seem. Sure, Ohio State’s the favorite, but Miami showed some grit against Texas A&M in round one.

Ohio State’s defense is definitely a step up from A&M’s, so Miami might find it harder to put points on the board. Playing indoors at the Cotton Bowl takes the wind out of the equation, though, and that could help Miami’s offense open up a bit.

Key Factors

• Ohio State’s Offensive Line: The Buckeyes have had trouble with top-tier defensive fronts, putting up just 24 points across two games against Texas and Indiana.
• Miami’s Defensive Line: Miami’s front might be the toughest Ohio State has seen all year. That could spell real problems for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State probably still pulls it off, but don’t expect a blowout. There’s more breakdown and predictions at CBS Sports if you’re curious.

No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon

This one’s got people talking. Oregon’s looked promising all season, but they haven’t quite hit their stride—injuries haven’t helped. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has a defensive line that’s just been lights out.

Oregon’s offense is creative, but Texas Tech’s defense might be their toughest test yet. It’s honestly hard to say which way this one goes.

Matchup Dynamics

• Oregon’s Offense vs. Texas Tech’s Defense: The Red Raiders’ defensive line is probably the best Oregon has faced so far, and that could keep the Ducks from running up the score.
• Red Zone Efficiency: Texas Tech’s had trouble finishing drives, while Oregon’s defense has been pretty stingy in the red zone.

Chances are, Texas Tech doesn’t put up more than 27 points. Want a deeper dive? There’s a full betting guide over at CBS Sports.

No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama

Indiana and Alabama meeting in the quarterfinals—who would’ve guessed? Indiana’s the favorite by a touchdown, but losing key defender Stephen Daley could be a big deal.

Indiana’s defense has been disciplined and well-coached, but Daley’s absence is going to sting. On the other side, Indiana’s offense is led by Fernando Mendoza, who’s got a Heisman on his shelf and a knack for making big plays.

Game Insights

• Indiana’s Defense: The front seven has held strong all year, but missing Daley leaves a hole.
• Indiana’s Offense: Mendoza should be able to test Alabama’s defense and maybe even exploit a few cracks.

It probably won’t turn into a shootout, but Indiana’s offense could take advantage. More details are up at CBS Sports if you want them.

No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss

The first Georgia-Ole Miss clash was a wild ride, and this rematch could be just as much fun. Georgia’s been making smart adjustments after halftime all season.

They’ll need to keep that up if they want to move on. Should be a good one.

Critical Matchup Elements

• Georgia’s Second-Half Adjustments: The Bulldogs have a knack for stepping up after halftime. They’ve turned plenty of tight games into wins by making smart changes.
• Ole Miss’ Defense: The Rebels just haven’t found their groove on defense this season. They’ll really need to step it up if they want any shot at slowing Georgia down.

Georgia comes in as the favorite. Ole Miss has a real challenge ahead if they’re hoping for an upset—defense is going to make or break it. More details are over at CBS Sports.

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are almost here, and honestly, it’s hard not to get a little hyped. Whether you’re all-in for one of these teams or just watching for the chaos, these games promise plenty of wild moments. If you want more analysis or are feeling lucky about betting, check out the full breakdown on CBS Sports.