College Football Playoff Previews 2025: Quarterfinals Recap, Semifinals Preview
- Om Brown
- 28 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs did not disappoint! From a shocking Cotton Bowl result, to a pair of dominating performances in the Orange and Rose Bowls, to a nail-biting classic in the Sugar Bowl, the 2025 slate may have out-done the 2024 Quarterfinals. The stage for the semis is set, with a rematch of Top 5 teams, plus a matchup between an explosive offense and a shutdown defense. Let's see what we have in store for the Fiesta and Peach Bowls!
Quarterfinals Prediction Record: 3-1 (MIA, ORE, IND - Correct, MISS - Incorrect)
Total Prediction Record: 7-1
Quartefinals Recap:
Miami pulled off the ultimate upset with a dominant defensive performance vs. the reigning champs. A Keionte Scott 72-yard pick-six put the Canes up 14-0 in the second quarter and they never looked back.
Play of the Game:
As good as Tech's defense was this year, they simply couldn’t carry an offense that was brutally exposed by the Ducks. Red Raiders QB Behren Morton threw 2 ugly INTs and fumbled once, while RB Cameron Dickey had a fumble of his own. The Ducks offense did enough to win, despite not looking good.
Play of the Game:
Indiana beat the breaks off of Bama, outmatching the Tide in every facet of the game. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza threw for a trio of TDs.
Play of the Game:
In my opinion, this game was better than last year’s best Quarterfinal game, the Texas vs. ASU Peach Bowl. Not only was the Sugar Bowl a rematch of two SEC foes, but it was also in Louisiana, the new home state of the Rebels' traitor coach, Lane Kiffin. This game had 7 lead changes and came down to a last second 47-yard boot through the uprights for Ole Miss to win. Rebs QB Trinidad Chambliss had 362 passing yards and a pair of TD passes, while RB Kewan Lacy rushed for 98 yards and 2 scores as well. Ole Miss’ dream season continues.
Play of the Game:
Semifinals Preview: Played at Fiesta and Peach Bowls
Keys for Miami: Run the ball effectively, and win the line of scrimmage on defense. After gouging out the Texas A&M defense for 172 yards, RB Mark Fletcher Jr. picked up 90 yards on a 4.7 yards per carry vs the Buckeyes. QB Carson Beck has been an effective enough game manager, but Fletcher Jr. and the o-line are the main cogs of the Canes' offensive attack. Defensively, the Hurricanes have one goal; dominate the line. They are led by future first round pick, EDGE Ruben Bain Jr., and got 5 sacks in the Cotton Bowl to go with the 7 they had in the First Round vs. the Aggies. If Bain Jr. and company get home to Trinidad Chambliss, it could be a long night for Ole Miss.
Team X-Factor: QB Carson Beck
Beck has done his job, which has been to play mistake-free football, but he has put up just 103 and 138 yards, respectively, in his team's pair of playoff games. If Fletcher Jr. struggles, Beck will have to be the difference maker.
Keys for Ole Miss: Maintain a dominant, yet balanced offensive attack. Despite losing the time-of-possession battle in both of their playoff contests, Ole Miss has put up 80 total points. Chambliss and Lacy have been focal points of the operation all season long, and I doubt anything would change for the Fiesta Bowl.
Team X-Factor: RB Kewan Lacy
The sophomore Mizzou transfer is 3rd and 2nd in the country in rushing yards and TDs, respectively, with 1,464 yards and 23 scores this year. In the CFP, he has averaged 92.5 yards per game and has reached paydirt in both contests. The Rebels would love another good game from the Dallas native.
Game Prediction: This matchup will be determined by the Miami offense and the Ole Miss defense. As good as the Canes line and rushing attack has been, Beck has not yet been forced to make big plays with his arm. In the past at Georgia, the Dawgs didn’t win big games because of him. For that reason I have to go with Chambliss and the Rebels.
Score Prediction: Ole Miss - 30, Miami 20
Keys for Oregon: Find their offensive rhythm. The Ducks’ one loss was in October up in Eugene to the Hoosiers. QB Dante Moore threw for just 186 yards and had a pair of picks in a 30-20 loss. In that game, the offense only put up 13 points, as freshman sensation DB Brandon Finney had a pick-six. The Oregon defense has been on an absolute heater since the first matchup. However, Moore and the offense needs to be better if they want to advance to the title game.
Team X-Factor: QB Dante Moore
Moore is a projected first round pick in this upcoming draft, but he hasn’t played his best football as of late. Against Texas Tech, Moore didn’t throw a TD, but he did throw an INT. Indiana’s offense isn’t like Tech’s. Moore must be much better the second time around facing the top-tier Hoosier defense.
Keys for Indiana: Continue the great run of complementary football. All season, the offense has been dominant and the defense has been suffocating. The lone exception was the Big Ten Championship, which was a 13-10 win. QB Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman and coach Curt Cignetti won his second straight Coach of the Year award. In the Rose Bowl, they dominated Alabama in all stages of the game, and C Pat Coogan won the Offensive MVP of the game. I think it's safe to say that Indiana is the most complete team in the nation.
Team X-Factor: The Offensive Line
In the Quarterfinal contest vs. the Crimson Tide, Indiana put up 215 yards on the ground. As good as Mendoza has been, Cignetti wants to run the ball. If they have success doing so in the Peach Bowl, they should advance.
Game Prediction: Indiana has been the best team in the country for most of the season, and controlled most of the first meeting with the Ducks. Mendoza has the “it” factor in big games, and has proved time and time again that he can lead the Hoosiers when needed. As much as I love what coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks have built and done since he took over, I just can’t bet against Cignetti this year.
Score Prediction: Indiana - 27, Oregon - 21
Final Thoughts:
I am very excited for these two games, and can’t wait for what's in store this Thursday and Friday. Both contests should be close and exciting games. Make sure to check back in with me before the National Championship!