2025 CFP Round 2 Preview
Despite some of the blowouts that occurred in Round 1, the CFP proved that home playoff games in CFB create some of the best environments in sports. The best example of that was the SEC battle we had in Norman between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Sooners jumped out early but then the Tide rolled to a victory. Having both JMU and Tulane in there proved to kill some of the excitement. For that we’ll just have to trust the committee to make the necessary adjustments for years to come. In this 2nd Round the matchups are much improved and you could argue ever team has reasonable hopes of winning a National Title. Let’s see how we faired with picks and then get into the preview for Round 2 of the CFP:
Round 1: 3-1
Miami vs. Ohio State
Miami
Best Players: Carson Beck, Malachi Toney, Mark Fletcher Jr., Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor
Best Wins: vs. Notre Dame, @ Pitt, @ Texas A&M
Losses: vs. Louisville, @ SMU
Ohio State
Best Players: Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Caden Curry
Best Wins: vs. Texas, @ Illinois, @ Michigan
Losses: vs. Indiana
Game Analysis
Let’s call it like it is, that Miami vs. Texas A&M game was a miserable watch for 3-3.5 quarters. However, you have to give props to Hurricane’s defense. They forced 3 turnovers and had 7 sacks against an Aggie offense that was explosive in every game they played in. Holding any team to 3 points is impressive, that performance becomes legendary when it’s against a potent SEC offense. The entire Miami defense deserves a shoutout but we’ll stick to the three stars in Mesidor, Bain, and Fitzgerald. If this unit can replicate that kind of performance, we’ll see just how good Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is. The less exciting part for Miami was the performance of their offense. Carson Beck did play turnover free football but unfortunately only amassed 103 passing yards in their Round 1 victory. The only thing that was working for the Canes was Mark Fletcher Jr.’s performance. He put the team on his back by racking up 172 rushing yards on over 10 yards per carry. Miami will look to establish the run against the Buckeyes. However, they’ll need Beck and the passing attack will need to perform competently or else this talented Ohio State defense will stack the box early.
The reigning champs look to continue their dominance over the 12-team playoff. This season, the Buckeyes have had a dominant regular season and ended up losing to Indiana in a hard fought Big 10 Championship game. In my opinion this Ohio State roster is the most talented in the country with no true Achilles heel. Offensively, Sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin has stepped into his role more successfully than Ohio State fans could have hoped. He processed the game incredibly well for a first time starter and completed an astonishing 78.4% of his passes. Throwing the ball to the best wide receiver duo in the country definitely has it’s perks as Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith were constantly getting open and creating after the catch. The one “weakness” could be the rushing attack but Bo Jackson burst onto the scene and rushed for 1,000 yards this season. As incredible as this offense is, I’m most impressed by the defense. No team has scored more than 16 points this season, which includes only allowing 13 in the Buckeyes lone loss to Indiana. On the defensive line, Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald are absolute game wreckers. Linebackers Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese eliminate anything that gets past the defensive line. Finally Caleb Downs is the brains of the operation and has continued his path towards being a Top 10 pick in this years NFL Draft. To put some stats to work, the Buckeyes rank #1 in yards per play and yard per game as a defense. That is all very surface level as this defense has been otherworldly and will cause significant problems for the Hurricanes in Texas on NYE.
I won’t hide my feelings, I think Miami is outmatched by a star studded Ohio State team. The Buckeyes can beat you in a plethora of ways and take advantage of their opponents weaknesses. With that being said, Miami is a talented team and their is a path for them to pull off the upset. First off, Miami will need big games from pass rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor again on Friday. If they can make Sayin uncomfortable in the pocket, that greatly benefits the Miami secondary against Tate and Smith. There’s no sugar coating this, but they will need to keep Ohio State below 20 points to have a chance. As I stated no team has scored above 16 on the Buckeyes, so if the Hurricanes try to get in a shootout, this game will be over quick. Carson Beck will need to play turnover free football and hit on 2-3 big, game changing plays. In the end, I still think Ohio State gets it done. If you double team Jeremiah Smith then Carnell Tate is open. If you slow down the pass, the emerging Bo Jackson will pound the rock. This team is just too talented and I expect them to move to 5-0 in the 12-team playoff format.
Prediction: Ohio State 27 Miami 10
Oregon vs. Texas Tech
Oregon
Best Players: Dante Moore, Noah Whittington, Kenyon Sadiq, Bryce Boettcher, Matayo Uiagalelei
Best Wins: @ Penn State, vs. USC, vs. James Madison
Losses: vs. Indiana
Texas Tech
Best Players: Jacob Rodriguez, David Bailey, Romello Height, Behren Morton, Cameron Dickey
Best Wins: @ Utah, @ Utah, vs. BYU (x2)
Losses: @ Arizona State
Game Analysis
Oregon won their first round game in dominant fashion against the Sun Belt champions, James Madison. The Dukes scored some points late to make the score a little closer, but the Ducks were dominant throughout. Look no further for proof of their dominance then the halftime score, which was 34-6. Despite turning the ball over twice, Dante Moore was a star in this game. Moore through for over 300 yards and 5 touchdowns (4 passing and 1 rushing). The Ducks boast a talented group of pass catchers that were on full display, with 8 different players catching a pass from Moore. Oregon’s defense continues to prove these aren’t the same old Ducks. They held a potent James Madison offense to 6 first half points and then kept them at arms length for the remainder of the game. Oregon is going up against a better offense in Texas Tech, so they’ll have to prove themselves again. Remaining balanced on offense will be key in this game. Dante Moore will be a first round draft pick at some point, but you still don’t want him to be a sitting duck, no pun intended, against this elite Texas Tech pass rush.
The Red Raiders are one of the most intriguing teams in the country. A team that has truly showcased the power of NIL in today’s NCAA. Texas Tech boasts one of the nation’s top defenses, that ranks #2 in yard per play and #3 in yards per game. This defense, most notably the defensive line, was constructed using the transfer portal. David Bailey and Romello Height have terrorized the Big 12 all season combining for 22.5 sacks. The star of this team, who should have been a Heisman finalist, is Jacob Rodriguez. He totaled 117 tackles and 4 interceptions, playing the linebacker position with both athleticism and intelligence. On offense is where the question marks are housed. Statistically, this Texas Tech offense looks solid. However, when you watch them play, there are stretches where this offense really struggles. If you’re a Texas Tech truther, you hope those dry stretches were simply out of boredom. Behren Morton is an accurate passer who looks better each week as he returns to health from a midseason injury. Morton spreads the ball to 4 talented pass catchers combined with the 2 capable pass-catching backs out of the backfield. Personally, I love Terrance Carter Jr., and think he could truly be a difference maker in this game. The dynamic running back duo of Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams present a 1-2 punch that cannot be overlooked. This offense will need to sustain long drives to keep their elite defense fresh.
This game is one that I’ve gone back and forth on many times. For the Oregon Ducks, their offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders. Dante Moore will present a challenge unlike any faced by the Red Raiders this year. The variability of the Oregon receivers also makes them nearly impossible to gameplan for. On the other side, Texas Tech’s defense has been elite and will look to confuse a relatively unexperienced quarterback. The Red Raiders will look to stay ahead of the chains on offense and tire out Oregon’s defense. In the end these are both well rounded teams that are slightly the opposite of each other. Oregon is elite offensively and strong defensively, while Texas Tech is strong offensively and elite defensively. In the end, I think Oregon pulls out a close one. It hurts me to pull against this Texas Tech team that I’ve enjoyed watching all year. However, I don’t think the Red Raiders played anyone of Oregon’s caliber in the Big 12. Tech will have their chances, but I expect Dante Moore to make a few big plays down that stretch that makes the difference.
Prediction: Oregon 24 Texas Tech 20
Alabama vs. Indiana
Alabama
Best Players: Ty Simpson, Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams, Deontae Lawson, and Bray Hubbard
Best Wins: @ Georgia, vs. Vanderbilt, @ Oklahoma
Losses: @ Florida State, vs. Oklahoma, vs. Georgia
Indiana
Best Players: Fernando Mendoza, Roman Hemby, Omar Cooper Jr., Rolijah Hardy, Louis Moore, D’Angelo Ponds
Best Wins: vs Illinois, @ Oregon, vs. Ohio State
Losses: None
Game Analysis
During the first quarter of Alabama’s opening round game against Oklahoma, it looked like the Crimson Tide forgot to show up. They were quickly down 17-0 at the start of the second quarter. Then Ty Simpson and the Alabama defense turned it on, going on a 34-7 run to end the game. The Crimson Tide defense sacked John Mateer 5 times and had a pick six to swing momentum. Now they go up against a team that is built similarly to Oklahoma with a little extra flare. Against the Sooners, Alabama ran the ball 25 times for just 28 yards. That is one of the most abysmal statistics I’ve seen and Alabama will get steam rolled if that’s the case against Indiana. The Hoosiers stifled the OSU run game in their last game and made life miserable for Julian Sayin. I love the growth we’ve seen this season from Ty Simpson, but it will be a long night if they can’t play complementary football. Alabama will need to utilize their speed defensively and have a competent rushing attack if they want to knock off the #1 seeded Hoosiers on Thursday.
Indiana is a team that was written off my many, myself included, to start off the 2025 season. I thought last year’s Hoosiers were a one hit wonder. I could not have been more wrong. Indiana breezed through their first 4 games. After that, they destroyed Top 10 ranked Illinois, won a hard fought game at Iowa, and beat #3 ranked Oregon in Eugene. After that, even the biggest of haters had to admit the Hoosiers were for real. The Hoosiers run the ball really well and have a great defense that has allowed over 20 points just twice. This defense suffocates opposing rushing attacks and create splash plays with ease. These two aspects form their identity, but the story of Indiana cannot be told without Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosier quarterback operates with pinpoint accuracy and shows up big in key moments. Against Penn State and Oregon, Mendoza bounced back from costly interceptions to lead the Hoosiers on late scoring drives. If the game is in Mendoza’s hands late, then Indiana has their opponents right where they want them.
This game is a battle between one of the perennial powers in college football and “the new kid on the block.” If this game took place anywhere in history besides the past two seasons, every gambler would bet their house on the Crimson Tide. This, however, is a new era in college football and the team that formerly had the most losses in history is here to make a splash. The Crimson Tide have not only history on their side but also 5-star talent on their side. Players like Ryan Williams, Kadyn Proctor, and Keon Keeley are perfect examples of big time recruits that Indiana simply cannot match. If the Crimson Tide can get Jam Miller rolling on the ground, that will ease the burden for Ty Simpson. Defensively, their front seven will need to put Mendoza in a torture chamber similar to the one they had Mateer in two weeks ago. For Indiana, the key will be stopping that previously mentioned rushing attack of Alabama. They are perfectly built to do so and force Ty Simpson to take chances against this opportunistic defense. On offense, avoid turnovers and give your Heisman winner time to pick apart this Alabama defense. When push comes to shove here, I’m going to believe in Mendoza and the physical Hoosiers. The Indiana defense will force Alabama to become one dimensional and make life miserable for Ty Simpson. I won’t call it a changing of the guard, but Indiana can get a statement win against Alabama on Thursday.
Prediction: Indiana 23 Alabama 14
Ole Miss vs. Georgia
Ole Miss
Best Players: Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy, Harrison Wallace III, Suntarine Perkins, Will Echoles
Best Wins: vs. LSU, @ Oklahoma, vs. Tulane x2
Losses: @ Georgia
Georgia
Best Players: Gunner Stockton, Nate Frazier, Zachariah Branch, CJ Allen, Ellis Robinson IV
Best Wins: vs. Ole Miss, vs. Texas, vs. Alabama
Losses: vs. Alabama
Game Analysis:
Ole Miss has a chance to avenge their only loss of the 2025 season. In Round 1, the Rebels beat their Tulane in dominant fashion. Their defense only allowed 10 points and their offense consistently made plays throughout the game. Continuing on the theme of this entire piece, I love the Rebels ability to be complementary on offense. Kewan Lacy is one of the best running backs in the entire country and Trinidad Chambliss is a dual threat quarterback. Ole Miss didn’t seem to be impacted by the absence of Lane Kiffin in their Round 1 matchup. We’ll have to monitor this as their opponent takes a massive talent jump against Georgia. This is a team that is well rounded and can do everything with success. What will make an impact in this matchup is whether or not the Rebels can play elite in some areas instead of just good all around.
Georgia finds themselves in familiar territory in the CFP. The Bulldogs rely heavily on their rushing attack, opposed to teams like Alabama that rely on their passing with a limited rushing offense. Georgia uses a stable of running backs, led by Nate Frazier, to keep their players fresh at all points in the game. Gunner Stockton has shown a lot of growth in his first year as a starter. Stockton is not a straight drop back passer but has processed the game with accuracy and avoided turnover throughout the season. This offense is similar to those of Bulldogs past. Unfortunately the Georgia defense is not the same as the one’s that won previous National Championships. Don’t get me wrong, this defense is still a Top 10-15 defense in the country based off metrics. The unit just isn’t as dominant as the Georgia defenses we’re used to. Players like CJ Allen and Ellis Robinson IV create turnovers and play fast to help this Georgia defense suffocate opponents.
In the original matchup, Georgia won 43-35 and came back in a game that Ole Miss led for a majority of. For Ole Miss to get revenge in this game, they’ll need to play turnover free football and get Kewan Lacy involved early and often. Trinidad Chambliss is a great player but getting the running game going early only makes his job easier. Establish the run and don’t give the Bulldogs any easy opportunities or short fields. On defense if they can slow down or stop the Georgia rushing attack, that will truly hamper their offense. For Georgia, they need to establish the run and create negative plays defensively. Creating negative plays has been something that hasn’t done consistently, but will make life easier for them as an offense. This game is another one that I expect to be close and could go either way. The Georgia Bulldogs will pull this one off and take advantage of a turnover or turnover on downs that give them a short field.
Prediction: Georgia 31 Ole Miss 27