After last night's thrilling Cotton Bowl showdown between Ohio State and Miami kicked off the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, three more marquee match-ups await on New Year's Day. The holiday delivers a football feast as teams battle for spots in the semifinals and a chance at the national championship.
Orange Bowl: Oregon vs Texas Tech (Noon ET)
The day begins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where No. 5 Oregon Ducks face No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Capital One Orange Bowl. This match-up pits two teams who earned first-round byes through their exceptional regular seasons.
Oregon enters 11-1 after dominating No. 12 James Madison 51-34 in the first round. The Ducks showcased their explosive offense in that victory, with their attack firing on all cylinders. Oregon has proven they can score on anyone, but Texas Tech presents their toughest defensive challenge of the postseason.
Texas Tech stands at 12-1, entering as a slight underdog despite their impressive record. The Red Raiders posted a 3-0 mark against AP Top 25 opponents during the regular season, demonstrating their ability to win big games. The opening line had Oregon favored by 1.5 points, but betting has moved the line to Oregon -2.5, suggesting confidence in the Ducks.
ESPN's Football Power Index projects Texas Tech winning by 0.3 points with a 52% probability, essentially calling this game a toss-up. The over/under sits at 51.5 points, indicating oddsmakers expect a high-scoring affair between two potent offenses.
The winner advances to face either No. 2 Ohio State or No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8 in Glendale, Arizona. Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George, and Stormy Buonantony call the action on ESPN.
Rose Bowl: Alabama vs Indiana (4:00 PM ET)
The Granddaddy of Them All hosts a fascinating contrast in styles and histories when No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide meets No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This marks Indiana's first appearance in the College Football Playoff, capping a remarkable 13-0 regular season that exceeded all expectations.
Indiana earned the tournament's top seed after their undefeated campaign, though they face questions about strength of schedule. The Hoosiers went 3-0 against ranked opponents but didn't face the gauntlet that many SEC teams navigate. Still, you can only beat who's on your schedule, and Indiana did that emphatically.
Alabama arrives at 10-3 after defeating No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round. The Crimson Tide went 4-2 against AP Top 25 opponents this season, including losses but also quality victories that demonstrate their ability to compete with elite teams. Their three losses came by a combined 11 points, suggesting they've been competitive in every game.
Indiana opens as a 7-point favorite, with the line originally at 6.5. The FPI projection gives Indiana a 71% probability to win by 5.7 points. The over/under is set at 47.5 points, the lowest of the New Year's Day quarterfinals, suggesting a more defensive battle than the other matchups.
Head coach Curt Cignetti's journey from IUP to leading Indiana to the No. 1 seed has become one of college football's best stories. His small-school path to the pinnacle demonstrates that success can come from anywhere with the right system and leadership.
Alabama represents college football royalty attempting to spoil the Cinderella story. The Crimson Tide have won multiple national championships in the CFP era and never lack motivation in big games. Their experience on this stage could prove decisive against an Indiana team playing its first playoff game.
The winner faces either No. 3 Georgia or No. 6 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl semifinal on January 9 in Atlanta. ESPN's coverage features the network's top broadcast team bringing viewers all the drama from the iconic Rose Bowl venue.
Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs Ole Miss (8:00 PM ET)
The New Year's Day tripleheader concludes with the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels take on No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs. This quarterfinal features the only rematch from the regular season among the four New Year's Day games.
Georgia defeated Ole Miss 43-35 on October 18 in a high-scoring affair that showcased both teams' offensive firepower. That result gives Georgia confidence they can handle the Rebels' attack, while Ole Miss believes they've learned from their mistakes and can adjust their game plan.
Since that loss, Ole Miss has dominated opponents, including a 41-10 destruction of No. 11 Tulane in the first round. The Rebels enter with momentum and the belief they're playing their best football of the season at the perfect time. Their offense has found rhythm, and their defense has tightened considerably since the Georgia game.
Georgia comes in as the higher seed with expectations befitting a program that has been a national title contender for years. The Bulldogs seek to return to the championship game and reclaim their place atop college football. Their path runs through an Ole Miss team hungry to avenge their only meeting this season.
Both teams feature NFL-caliber talent across their rosters. The quarterback play, offensive line battles, and defensive schemes will all play crucial roles in determining who advances. Given their previous meeting's 78 combined points, fans should expect another offensive showcase unless one defense makes significant adjustments.
The primetime slot puts this game in the spotlight as the final quarterfinal before the semifinals. The winner advances to the Peach Bowl on January 9 to face the winner of the Rose Bowl. ESPN's broadcast captures every moment of what promises to be an electric atmosphere in New Orleans.
The Road to Miami
All four quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals the following week. The Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl winners meet in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, January 9. The Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl winners clash in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday, January 8.
The two semifinal victors then meet in the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T on Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. That game crowns the national champion and concludes the second year of the 12-team playoff format.
Bowl Game Success
New Year's Day also features additional bowl games throughout the day, creating a marathon of college football:
- ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa defeated Vanderbilt 34-27 early in the day
- Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Duke dominated Arizona State 49-32 at 2:00 PM on CBS
- Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Texas topped Michigan 41-27 at 3:00 PM on ABC
- Las Vegas Bowl: Utah handled Nebraska 44-22 at 3:30 PM on ESPN
These bowl results set the stage for the playoff quarterfinals, with winning teams carrying momentum into the new year while others reflect on what might have been.
Second Year of 12-Team Format
This marks the second year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, following Ohio State's national championship victory last season over Notre Dame. The format has proven popular with fans, providing more teams opportunities to compete for the title while maintaining the importance of regular season games.
The bracket includes representatives from six conferences, with the SEC leading the way with five teams selected. The Big Ten contributed three teams, while the Big 12, ACC, American Conference, and Sun Belt each placed one team. This distribution demonstrates the depth across college football and the competitive balance the expanded format seeks to achieve.
What's at Stake
Beyond advancing to the semifinals, these quarterfinal games carry enormous weight for programs, conferences, and individual players. Winning enhances recruiting efforts, generates revenue, and builds program prestige. Players showcase their talents on national television before NFL scouts, while coaches prove their systems can succeed at the highest level.
For established powers like Alabama and Georgia, expectations demand playoff success. For emerging programs like Indiana and newer entrants like Miami, these games represent opportunities to announce their arrival among college football's elite.
The second-seeded Ohio State, as defending champion, carries the burden of expectation alongside the confidence that comes from having won it all before. How they performed against Miami sets the tone for what's expected from all quarterfinal winners—championship-caliber football executed at the highest level.
New Year's Day Tradition
The Rose Bowl's afternoon kickoff time honors its tradition as the crown jewel of New Year's Day bowl games. Watching the Rose Bowl from Pasadena has been a New Year's Day ritual for generations of fans, and hosting a playoff quarterfinal only adds to the game's prestige.
The Sugar Bowl's primetime slot takes advantage of New Year's evening viewing, when fans have finished their holiday celebrations and settled in for football. New Orleans provides an electric atmosphere that enhances any game played in the Superdome.
The Orange Bowl's noon kickoff gives fans an early start to their New Year's Day football viewing marathon. Starting the day with a competitive playoff game sets expectations for the entertainment to follow.
Looking Ahead
As these four games unfold throughout New Year's Day, the playoff picture will clarify. By the time the Sugar Bowl concludes, we'll know which four teams advance to the semifinals and which dreams end short of the ultimate goal.
The winners earn one more week of preparation, one more chance to adjust and improve, and one more opportunity to move closer to the national championship. For the losers, the season ends with the disappointment of coming so close yet falling short.
College football fans couldn't ask for a better way to spend New Year's Day—three playoff quarterfinals featuring elite programs, contrasting styles, compelling storylines, and the highest stakes. From noon until late evening, the sport delivers drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments that will be remembered long after the confetti falls in Miami nearly three weeks from now.
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