RESULTS AFTER FIRST ROUND: 3-1 (Whatever, Alabama!)

NEW YEAR’S EVE

We have a classic postseason rematch from the 2002 National Championship, which coach Mario Cristobal knows all too well. The Canes were in a windy defensive battle with Texas A&M for the entirety until freshman star and Swiss army knife receiver Malachi Toney atoned his fumble for a touchdown score. Miami’s defense hung tough despite their kicker’s three missed field goals. We must know if this will change since they’re inside the stadium. Hopefully, Ohio State learned from their Big Ten title loss and are ready to defend their National Championship crown. They have a tough one against one of the better defenses in the nation with an edge rushing tandem. The Buckeyes have talent, experience, and name across the board and should be locked in for this matchup.

They meet for the sixth time ever. The last time they faced each other was back in 2011. The Buckeyes are battle-hardened after facing the likes of Texas, Michigan, and Indiana, so it’s nothing new. However, dealing with two Miami edge rushers, a very talented freshmen receiver, and a quarterback with a cannon could make this a very interesting game. Don’t be surprised if this is another low-scoring game. This is a different animal that Miami’s dealing with, and Carson Beck may be pressed into making plays in the passing game. If Miami doesn’t make any mistakes, they have a shot to win. Unfortunately, mistakes could come and Ohio State will capitalize on it.

MY PICK: OHIO STATE

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Oregon buried James Madison at the beginning and left them there throughout. This was their warmup knowing they’re facing one of the toughest teams with balance in Texas Tech. What Oregon needs is similar offensive production and a lot of assistance from Dante Moore to make plays. Texas Tech will try taking away those opportunities and force Oregon to work for every play possible. Led by veteran and captain Jacob Rodriguez, this defense is a stalwart and any offense facing them knows they’re difficult to matchup with. In vice versa, Texas Tech hasn’t faced a team like Oregon. The Ducks could literally bog down Tech’s offense and force many mistakes on them. Tech’s defense is good but could deal with plenty of speed and physicality all game. Are they up to that challenge?

This matchup likely is a low-scoring defensive struggle. Oregon’s ready for it and will go four quarters if they must. This could likely be one of the best games to watch this weekend. Both teams have great defenses, running production, talented receivers, can dominate the trenches, and have a quarterback that can impact the game. However, Oregon’s starting receivers aren’t 100% which isn’t good when facing Tech’s defense that’ll stifle them. Dante Moore might be up against the toughest defense this season and could likely struggle. Tech will work to stifle the run and force him to throw.

MY PICK: TEXAS TECH

Alabama struggled and it looked like they didn’t belong, but pulling off a CFP record comeback to beat Oklahoma ensured that they did. Freshmen Lotzier Brooks was the big reason for the Tide’s comeback. Now, they face Indiana, which has their biggest test of their program lives. They looked dominant throughout the season no matter who their opponent was. They overcame four games to win and showed that Indiana is finally legit and can compete. But can they outplay Alabama to prove they’re championship contenders???

Both come in with similar styles of football when it comes to physicality and playing good defense. Bama can force turnovers and pressure while Indiana can stymie an offense’s production and make their drives difficult to produce. Indiana has a Heisman winner while Alabama has a Top 5 Heisman finalist. There’s one difference. Indiana can run the ball and challenge it while Alabama can’t run consistently and also struggle against it. This matchup is in Curt Cignetti’s wheelhouse, and he will let his boys know to impose their will as much as possible. This is one game where Alabama might not win unless they find their old selves to dominate the trenches again.

MY PICK: INDIANA

This matchup comes full circle. I never thought both teams would meet again until maybe next season, but we have Round 2 between SEC rivals. The last time both teams met on a non-traditional home-and-home field was back in 1942 in Memphis. Georgia and Ole Miss meet in familiar settings in Louisiana for the Sugar Bowl. While Georgia played last season in a loss to Notre Dame in shocking fashion in the postseason, Ole Miss last played at Louisiana in 2021 when they also lost to Baylor in a bowl game. In the last two matchups, both won their home-and-home game. Now, we have a neutral site matchup and will find out which team has the advantage after their earlier meeting in October.

Both have history in the Sugar Bowl, but what’s surprising is that Ole Miss’s Sugar Bowl history was better than Georgia’s. Georgia’s 5-7 while Ole Miss is 6-4. What’s even more interesting in the Sugar Bowl is that Georgia is 0-2 against SEC opponents in the Sugar Bowl while Ole Miss is 3-1 against them. Why does any of this matter? Probably not, but history sometimes plays a part and beating the same team twice in one season is difficult (Ask Oklahoma). Since Lane Kiffin’s not there and Pete Golding takes over coaching duties, how much of an advantage could Kirby Smart have with his tactics against Golding’s and how will Golding respond to Kirby? Not only has Gunner Stockton improved steadily after last season’s short career start, but Georgia’s defense improved as the season wore on. This might be the game where Ole Miss hits the wall without Lane Kiffin.

MY PICK: GEORGIA