College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Round Preview
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals are here, featuring eight of the top teams in the nation, ready to clash on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. As these teams navigate their way through the 12-team bracket, the competition grows fiercer, with each game offering a slim chance for victory.
Coaching staffs are undoubtedly pouring over footage of their opponents, searching for trends and weaknesses, honing in on players to watch in order to construct a viable game plan. While our analysis won’t match their meticulous detail, let’s keep it straightforward and identify one critical task each team needs to accomplish in the quarterfinals to move on to the next round.
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Cotton Bowl)
Miami: Limit Julian Sane’s impact
Miami fought hard against Texas A&M in the first round to make it this far, but they’ll likely need to drag the reigning national champions down to their level on New Year’s Eve. Ohio State has a very efficient offense this season, largely thanks to Julian Sane, who has been instrumental in their success, leading the nation in scoring percentage at 59.4%. For the Hurricanes to prevail, they must force Sane into challenging situations, limiting his ability to create explosive plays. It’s essential that he doesn’t find his rhythm.
Ohio State: Force Carson Beck to throw under duress
Mark Fletcher Jr. became a key player for Miami in their last game, particularly in setting up the winning touchdown late in the match. Despite his contributions, the Canes’ rushing game wasn’t particularly strong overall, averaging just 151.9 yards per game. If Ohio State can completely neutralize Fletcher, it will place the burden squarely on Carson Beck, who has a tendency to falter when faced with pressure. Historical data from his time at Georgia shows that when he attempts over 35 passes, he tends to struggle. Although Miami’s QB poses a threat, the Buckeyes could capitalize on Beck’s past performances.
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (Orange Bowl)
Texas Tech: Continue defensive disruption
Texas Tech has established itself with one of the top defenses in the nation, making significant impacts in games this season. The Red Raiders have led in creating confusion on the field, consistently forcing turnovers and ranking high in tackles for loss. Their objective is clear: they aim to make life difficult for Oregon’s quarterback, Dante Moore. Previous teams have successfully exposed Moore’s vulnerabilities; it will be crucial for Texas Tech to replicate that intensity.
Oregon: Control field position
While the Red Raiders’ defense gets a lot of attention, their offense also performs well in certain areas, especially when it comes to starting field position. If Oregon’s special teams can keep Texas Tech backed up in their territory, it could give the Ducks an edge. The key will be maintaining a favorable position throughout the game.
No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana (Rose Bowl)
Alabama: Establish a running game
Alabama has struggled with its rushing game this year, which is surprising for such a historically strong program. Currently ranked 118th in the nation in rushing efficiency, they need to find a way to get back on track. Injuries have certainly played a part, but it’s not solely about Ty Simpson’s passing. There’s a window for improvement if they can effectively run the ball, especially given Indiana’s past struggles against opposing rushers.
Indiana: Minimize big plays in the air
In the upcoming matchup, Alabama might have advantages in certain metrics, particularly in explosive passing. Simpson has had a productive season, distributing the ball effectively among his receivers. Indiana’s defensive backs will need to step up, especially focusing on limiting Alabama’s deep options. If they can curb those big plays, it would put them in a solid position to advance.
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia (Sugar Bowl)
Ole Miss: Convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns
Ole Miss has faced its share of challenges this year, including a loss to Georgia State. Now they find themselves against the SEC champions, and they’ll need to perform at their best. Georgia’s defense has been stingy lately, making it hard for offenses to capitalize in the red zone. Ole Miss will need to execute efficiently when they enter that area, something they have done in past encounters with this opponent.
Georgia: Control the ground game
One area where Ole Miss struggles is in run defense, which could be a pivotal factor in this matchup. They’ve allowed over 1,900 rushing yards this season, presenting an opportunity for Georgia to exploit. With a solid running game, led by capable players, they’ll look to wear down Ole Miss and gain control of the game by running the clock effectively.
