College Football Playoff Preview & Picks: Deep Dive Into First‑Round Matchups and Title Contenders

As the expanded 12‑team CFP field was officially announced, the bracket that will define the postseason was revealed. The top four seeds — **No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 Texas Tech — all earn first‑round byes and advance directly to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, eight other teams will battle on campus sites in highly competitive opening games to set up the quarterfinal matchups.

First‑Round Matchups: Key Games and What to Expect

No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama — Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. ET

This game opens the CFP weekend with a marquee matchup — Oklahoma hosting Alabama in Norman. Klatt highlights the intriguing narrative around Alabama’s inconsistencies late in the season, including offensive struggles and quarterback changes, which could be decisive. He predicts a narrow Oklahoma victory, pointing to the home‑field edge and a relentless Sooners defense as key factors.

No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (FL) — Saturday, Dec. 20, Noon ET

The Saturday slate begins with Texas A&M at home against Miami. This game features a clash of styles, with Miami’s explosive pass catchers facing off against an aggressive A&M front that ranks among the nation’s best at pressuring quarterbacks. Klatt leans toward a Texas A&M win, trusting the home crowd and physical style of play to tilt the matchup in College Station.

No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane — Saturday, Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m. ET

Ole Miss and Tulane renew acquaintances in this intriguing matchup. Though Tulane made its playoff run by securing an at‑large bid, Ole Miss has been explosive offensively and, despite some recent coaching chatter, is expected to control this contest at home. Klatt’s forecast favors Ole Miss advancing into the quarterfinals.

No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison — Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET

The nightcap pits Oregon against James Madison in a game that might be decided by depth and efficiency. Oregon has a long tradition of success in postseason play, and its explosive home environment figures to be a key advantage. Klatt and other analysts view the Ducks as the likely winners, though JMU’s dynamic offense could make this more competitive than expected.

What’s at Stake: Beyond the First Round

With the opening games decided, the winners will move on to the CFP quarterfinals — now hosted as traditional bowl games — on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Those quarterfinals will feature classic venues like the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl Classic, where the playoff’s top seeds await. Notably:

●No. 1 Indiana awaits its opponent in the Rose Bowl, fresh off a historic regular season and a Heisman‑winning quarterback who led the Hoosiers to an undefeated record.
●No. 2 Ohio State takes on the winner of the Texas A&M–Miami game in the Cotton Bowl.
●No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 Texas Tech similarly await winners from other first‑round contests in Sugar and Orange Bowl quarterfinal games.

Success in the first round is critical — not just for advancement, but for momentum and seeding into the semifinal rounds, which will be played at neutral sites in early January and culminate in the National Championship game later in the month.

Analyst Insights & Title Predictions

Joel Klatt’s picks reflect both analytics and narrative context: he values home‑field advantage and matchup dynamics, particularly in the first round where crowd energy and familiarity can swing outcomes. His bracket projects that several favorites will emerge, especially those with balanced offensive and defensive units, while upsets — particularly in neutral or hostile environments — are always possible.

Oddsmakers and betting lines suggest that teams like Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Ole Miss could be favored in early games, while national championship odds still favor traditional powerhouses such as Ohio State, Indiana and Georgia once the bracket shakes out.

Looking Ahead: From Quarterfinals to the Title Game

Once first‑round action concludes, the focus shifts quickly to quarterfinal battles and national title odds. With powerhouse programs positioned near the top of the bracket and dynamic talent spread throughout the field, this CFP cycle promises to deliver high drama and compelling storylines en route to crowning a new national champion.

As kickoff approaches this weekend, fans can expect intense matchups, unpredictable twists and the start of what could be one of the most memorable College Football Playoff runs in recent memory.