RESULTS AFTER QUARTERFINALS: 1-3 [4-4 TOTAL]

My picks were in shambles, but not as bad as Bama’s!!! Yep, I went there!!!🤣

THURSDAY

Miami proved they were one of the best four teams in college football after their matchup against former National Champion Ohio State. The score result was closer, but the competition felt a bit separated as far as Miami’s dominance over Ohio State’s offense goes. Reuben Bain and company were a nightmare to Ohio State’s offensive line and quarterback Julian Sayin. Keionte Scott’s Pick-6 early in the game was a true showing of what Miami’s defense was capable of. The offense was efficient. Carson Beck didn’t make mistakes and Mark Fletcher grinded out Ohio State’s defense as the game wore on. This team might be potential National Championship contenders if their offense levels up their game for the semifinals.

Ole Miss had a true, classic rematch with Georgia. The postseason in the Superdome worked in their favor per usual as history puts it. Even without Lane Kiffin (Maybe! He’s at LSU…in the Louisiana area!), they weren’t intimidated by Georgia and attacked them as often as possible. Kicker Lucas Carneiro could be remembered for his big kicks on one of the biggest stages of the postseason, Trinidad Chambliss could have a statue of himself out front of the Ole Miss stadium, Kewan Lacy could be alongside other great SEC running backs in history, and interim coach Pete Golding could end up as the best interim coach and Ole Miss living legend ever etched in program history and in 2025-2026 CFP history. They outplayed and outdawged Georgia, especially in the 4th quarter which Georgia was best at. Their semifinals matchup will be one to watch guaranteed.

There’s a mix of everything in this matchup. Physicality, speed, electricity, big time plays, potential big-time moments, and a chance for someone to standout in the biggest spotlight possible. Trinidad Chambliss and Carson Beck face each other and will need all the help from their players. Miami’s defense will cause problems for Chambliss, but Chambliss and company will find a way past those “edges”. In vice versa, Ole Miss’s average defense might give guys like Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher huge playmaking opportunities. This could even help Carson Beck look like one of the best quarterbacks all along. This may be the hardest pick to choose but until I can truly believe Ole Miss is completely locked in without the drama going on outside of their program, I’ll continue riding with Miami.

MY PICK: MIAMI

FRIDAY

Oregon’s offense wasn’t perfect, but they moved the ball when they needed to. They played complimentary football knowing their defense will come through no matter what. Defense played lights out and shut out Texas Tech. Defensive back Brandon Finney, Teitum Tuioti, and Matayo Uiagalelei were one of the main defensive standouts to shut down the passing game and clog holes against the run. They’re honestly looking like one of the harder outs amongst the four teams left, and they’re hoping for a different outcome against Indiana in Round 2.

No one ever thought this day would come, but it seems like the Hoosiers are here and looking like the best team left in the tournament with real National title hopes. After what seemed like a tough go against Alabama, they woke up immediately and clobbered them. They clobbered them so hard, they sent Ty Simpson to the sidelines with an injury. They were the better team in all facets, Fernando Mendoza was confidently surgical, the receivers had little to no issue against coverage, the run game was sound behind Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, and the defense imposed their will against Alabama’s offensive players that are littered with four- and five-star players. Being undersized didn’t stop them when will and might outweighed size. Curt Cignetti turned this team into real title contenders, and we might witness history in the making if their consistency continues.

Both face each other again after an early clash at Autzen Stadium. Indiana managed to hold off Oregon with a win, but it could be difficult to defeat them twice. Georgia failed to do it against Ole Miss, but Indiana could pull it off. Even with how good Oregon’s defense is, they might be in the same exact situation as Texas Tech when that same Oregon shut them out. I’m not saying they’ll be shut out. I’m saying its possible Oregon’s offense might struggle a bit more against Indiana’s defense, which likely leads to Oregon’s great defense being broken down piece by piece. Unless Dante Moore finally comes through and this offense dominates all over the field, they might get outplayed.

MY PICK: INDIANA