After weeks of iconic plays, and jaw dropping moments, The College Football Playoffs were set to begin. The twelve most deserving teams were given a bid and a chance to write their name into history.

First Round

Alabama vs Oklahoma:

To commence the 2025 College Football Playoffs, the Alabama Crimson Tide took a trip over to Memorial Stadium to face the Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma had taken the last two matchups, so Alabama was looking for revenge, but it was not looking good for the Tide early as they fell to a 17-0 deficit. Everything was going Oklahoma’s way throughout the first quarter and a half, but Alabama began to chip away at the lead. With a late pick six at the end of the half, Alabama had tied the game at 17 at halftime. To start the third quarter Alabama continued to dominate as they tallied 10 more points to their side of the score board. Oklahoma made an effort to come back late in the game, putting together a few good drives, but ultimately came up short as the final score was Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24.

Miami vs. Texas A&M:

Going into this game both teams had a lot to prove. Miami was the last at-large team to make the playoffs, and there was lots of controversy due to them taking the last spot over Notre Dame. There were many question marks for Miami, between shaky quarterback play and two unranked losses. Texas A&M’s first 75% of the season was very strong, but struggled in the late part of the season, with a game vs South Carolina that they had to come back from 28 to win, and a loss to their rival Texas. This game started out very slow with neither team being able to get on the board. These offensive struggles continued throughout the entirety of the first half, and for the first time ever, a college football playoff game was scoreless at half. The second half was more of the same as the two teams traded field goals. With two minutes left, star Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney took a touch pass to the house. A&M responded on their last drive taking all the way to Miami’s five yard line, but came up short with an interception thrown by Marcel Reed, and the final score was Miami 10, Texas A&M 3.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane:

Though these two teams play in two very different conferences they had very similar seasons. Both teams were elevated by two quarterbacks who were initially not expected to play, and just a week before this game both teams coaches announced they were leaving. The big difference is that Ole Miss plays in the SEC and Tulane plays in the AAC. This talent discrepancy was very visible as Ole Miss had no issue rolling through Tulane. Ole Miss’ offense was scoring like clockwork, and any drive that seemed promising for Tulane was often abruptly stopped by a turnover. The final score was Ole Miss 45, Tulane, 10

Oregon vs. James Madison:

Going into this game Oregon had a lot to prove. Last year they were undefeated throughout the regular season and won the Big 10 Championship, but fully collapsed in the playoffs in a blowout loss to Ohio State. James Madison was by far the most unlikely team to make the playoffs this year. After just a few short years on the FBS level, James Madison had their best season ever. Right from the beginning, Oregon was proving that they were not going to be stopped on offense, scoring on their first five drives! James Madison had little to no response tallying just six points in the first half. James Madison was able to score a few garbage touchdowns to make the score look closer, but ultimately Oregon wins comfortably by a final score of 51, to 34.

Second Round

Miami vs. Ohio State:

Before the game, to most fans it seemed like a no doubt win for Ohio State. Ohio State steamrolled through the majority of their schedule, and had the best of the best talent at every position on the field. Miami on the other hand did not prove much in their first round matchup. Yes they won, but this game from Miami was by no means impressive. To many people’s surprise Miami took a dominating lead scoring early, then snatching a pick six on Ohio State’s next possession. Going into the fourth quarter, Miami still had a commanding lead up by ten, but a heroic touchdown by Jeremiah Smith cut the lead to three. After exchanging punts, Miami drove down the field and scored a dagger touchdown with just seconds left to win 24 to14.

Texas Tech Vs. Oregon:

To begin the second day of the quarterfinals, there was a matchup between two 12 win teams. Texas Tech had one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory. Excluding one fluke loss to Arizona State early in the season where injuries got the best of them, Texas Tech dominated the whole Big 12 conference. Their closest win being a 22 point blowout against an exceptional BYU squad. Set to square off against them, the Oregon Ducks were looking to bring their momentum from last week to this game. Although the score did not always show it, this game was very one sided. Texas Tech’s defense was holding up their end of the bargain, but their offense was completely absent. Oregon was able to get four turnovers in this game and that allowed them to dominate Texas Tech by a score of 23 to 0.

Alabama Vs. Indiana:

On New Year’s Day, Alabama and Indiana squared off in the grand daddy of them all, the Rose Bowl. Alabama, a dynasty showing signs of decline, was looking to win the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2021, while Indiana had the chance to get their best win in school history. To begin the game Indiana was lights out and it was imminent that they were not scared by Alabama’s rich history as they got out to an impressive lead. The Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza was unstoppable throwing more touchdowns than incompletions.

Ole Miss Vs. Georgia:

Earlier this season, these two teams faced off in a classic that handed Ole Miss their first and only loss this season. Even though they were missing their head coach, Ole Miss was playing stronger than ever, and they looked much more prepared for this rematch. This one began with fireworks, as Ole Miss standout kicker knocked through back to back 50+ yard field goals. Georgia responded with a touchdown to take the lead. The remainder of the second half was mostly all Georgia, but Ole Miss was in reaching distance down 21-12. In the second half Ole Miss was able to take control with star QB Trinidad Chambliss having an iconic performance. With nine minutes remaining, Ole Miss extended the lead to 10, but after scores on back to back drives Georgia tied the game up with just seconds remaining. Following an amazing pass by Chambliss, the Rebels were able to get into field goal range, and their kicker knocked it through for the win, as the final score was Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34.

Semi Finals

Ole Miss Vs. Miami:

Heading into this playoffs very few expected these two teams to make it this far. Miami barely got in, and Ole Miss was missing their coach, but both teams were able to shock the college football world with impressive Cinderella runs. Miami got on the board first with a field goal, but Ole Miss responded immediately with a 73 yard touchdown run. By halftime, Miami had the slight advantage up by four. After two field goals by Ole Miss, they were in the driver seat with seven to go. After the two teams traded touchdowns, Miami had the ball late down by three, with a chance to win. With 18 seconds left Miami’s Carson back put the exclamation point on a methodical drive to take the lead. Ole Miss had a chance to score a last second touchdown, but ran out of time, and the thrilling game ended with a final score of Miami 31, Ole Miss 27.

Indiana Vs. Oregon

After the first play of this game it was obvious that Oregon stood no chance. Oregon’s QB Dante Moore dropped back on his first play and threw the ball right to Indiana’s defensive back and he took it back to the house. Oregon was able to follow this up with a touchdown to tie it, but they would then let Oregon score five touchdowns unanswered. Oregon was able to get the offense moving at the end, but it did not matter,

The final score was Indiana 56, Oregon 22.

National Championship: Indiana Vs. Miami

This game had colossal implications for both teams. Indiana was looking to complete their turnaround from the losingest team in Division 1 history, Indiana had a chance to win their first ever National Championship. Miami on the other hand would make a huge statement, with this win, they would prove that the Miami dynasty is back after a 20 year hiatus. To begin this game the hoosiers faced something that they had not so far in the playoffs. A defense who was able to get stops. The Miami defense held Indiana to just ten in the first half, but the Indiana defense came up clutch shutting Miami down in the first, holding them to zero points. To start the second half Miami was finally able to get on the board with a 57 yard touchdown by Mark Fletcher. Indiana was able to respond with a blocked punt recovered by the Hoosiers in the endzone. On the first play of the 4th quarter Fletcher found the endzone again to cut the lead to 3. After an iconic run from Mendoza that ended with a generational leap into the endzone, Miami had just 9 minutes to score 10 points. With a score by Malachi Toney they were able to get 7 of the 10, and after holding Indiana to a field goal they had a chance to win it all. To start off the possession the Hurricanes were driving, but after an inaccurate throw by Carson Beck, Indiana was able to get a game sealing interception to win the national championship. Indiana 27, Miami 21.