CFP Action: New Year’s Day Update

On the first day of the new year, eight teams were whittled down to four.

And those four will continue their journey in the College Football Playoff.

The Indiana Hoosiers, ranked at the top, shone brightly in the Rose Bowl, defeating Alabama to secure a spot in the Peach Bowl. This victory keeps the Hoosiers at the pinnacle of the rankings, but what does this mean for the other teams?

Here are the four remaining teams in the College Football Playoff, ranked according to their odds of clinching the title.

Indiana emerged victorious in the Big Ten Championship Game, with Fernando Mendoza taking home the 91st Heisman Trophy as the leading player. Entering the Rose Bowl, they held the top ranking. But will this extended break prove beneficial against Alabama?

After a slow start with a three-and-out against the Crimson Tide, the Hoosiers dominated the field on New Year’s Day, routing Alabama 38-3 to move on to the semifinals. Mendoza nearly reached perfection, going 14 for 16 with 192 yards and three touchdowns, giving his team a solid 17-0 lead at halftime. They forced Alabama into another three-and-out at the second half’s onset and scored quickly to stretch the lead to 24-0.

What’s next? Oregon State also had a strong showing, triumphing over Texas Tech. This rematch featured the Hoosiers who had previously defeated Texas Tech 30-20 on the road, scoring 10 points in the final minutes—this performance really grabbed national attention.

The Peach Bowl is shaping up to be just as thrilling as past encounters.

But let’s not overlook the undeniable dominance the Hoosiers displayed on New Year’s Day. They clearly stand out among the four teams left in the competition.

In the College Football Playoff opener, Miami took down Texas A&M in what was expected to be a tight contest but ended in a surprising upset.

Miami wasn’t even slated to compete against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, yet they did what seemed impossible. They defeated a top team that had led for much of the season and are now on the brink of the national championship after two consecutive upsets.

Similar to their win against Texas A&M, Miami showcased strong defensive play. Carson Beck tossed a short touchdown early to put the Hurricanes ahead 7-0, followed by Keonte Scott’s impressive 72-yard pick-six against Heisman finalist Julian Sain, escalating their advantage to 14-0. Miami’s defense stifled Ohio State, keeping them from scoring in the first half.

Ohio State found their rhythm early in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 14-7, but Miami quickly reestablished a double-digit lead with a field goal. When the Buckeyes got closer in the fourth quarter, Miami’s defense rose to the occasion, forcing a punt.

That’s when Beck and the Hurricanes secured the victory.

The upcoming Fiesta Bowl presents challenges for Miami’s defense, yet after two stunning wins, the Hurricanes are gaining confidence—they’re starting to believe they not only belong in this competition but can actually take it all. And perhaps even more surprisingly, some skeptics among us are beginning to buy into that belief too.

Oregon State football has traditionally relied on a high-octane offense, but their recent success against Texas Tech highlighted a strong defensive effort. The Ducks shut out the Red Raiders 23-0, setting season lows for Texas Tech in several categories. This victory was particularly significant after head coach Dan Lanning emphasized the need for defensive improvements following a previous playoff game in which they let James Madison score 34 points.

The challenge ahead for Oregon is facing Indiana. This encounter has been described as a showdown between quarterbacks Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza, both eyeing the top NFL Draft pick spot. But the real question is whether Oregon can replicate their defensive success from the previous round.

These teams have clashed before, with Indiana getting the upper hand. While it will take an exceptional season for Oregon State to reach the summit, they’ve proven resilient when faced with challenges.

In another exciting game, the Rebels triumphed over Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl, wrapping up New Year’s Day with a dramatic finish.

After months of speculation regarding how Ole Miss would respond to Lane Kiffin’s departure, they’ve pushed through to the semifinals. They’re set to face Miami, a team with its own uncertainties. Questions loom ahead of the Fiesta Bowl, as more coaching staff changes may be on the horizon before the transfer window opens. However, Trinidad Chambliss’ standout performance against Georgia and the energy from this comeback win provides a vital boost for Ole Miss as they aim for the championship.

That said, the concerns surrounding the program combined with the challenge posed by Miami could spell an end to the Rebels’ title hopes in the Fiesta Bowl.