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FOX Sports' Michael Cohen reveals his College Football Playoff bracket predictions ahead of the first round of action.
The article predicts Oklahoma will win this rematch despite Alabama's potential top gear, citing significant unrest within the Crimson Tide program. Recent struggles for Alabama include three turnovers in a narrow loss to Oklahoma in November, squandering a 17-0 lead against Auburn, and a 28-7 defeat by Georgia in the SEC championship game. Additionally, rumors surrounding head coach Kalen DeBoer's potential move to Michigan are creating considerable outside noise and drama, leading to questions about the team's mental state. This internal turmoil makes it unlikely for Alabama to reach its peak performance, paving the way for an Oklahoma victory.
Texas A&M is favored to win against Miami, primarily due to their formidable defensive front. While Miami's offensive line has been strong this season, protecting quarterback Carson Beck well, their friendly ACC schedule means they haven't faced a unit as disruptive as Texas A&M's. The Aggies lead nationally in sacks (14.0) and rank third in tackles for loss (104), with standout edge rusher Cashius Howell (11.5 sacks) earning first-team All-America honors. This defensive pressure is expected to be too much for Miami to handle in the trenches, leading to a Texas A&M victory.
Ole Miss is projected to easily defeat Tulane in this first-round rematch. Their previous encounter resulted in a decisive 35-point romp for the Rebels. Even with the departure of head coach Lane Kiffin, the article highlights the continued dominance of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who previously carved up Tulane for 307 passing yards and 112 rushing yards. Chambliss, a transfer from Division II, quickly established himself as a premier dual-threat quarterback, finishing eighth in Heisman voting despite starting late. Given his proven effectiveness and Tulane's previous struggles against him, the Green Wave are unlikely to pose a significant threat.
Oregon is predicted to win overwhelmingly against James Madison. James Madison deserves commendation for reaching the CFP from the FCS level, demonstrating strong performance with a 9-4 record in 2024 and an 11-game winning streak. They rank highly in scoring offense (37.3 PPG) and defense (15.8 PPG). However, their schedule strength was only 121st out of 136, and their only quality opponent, Louisville, secured a comfortable 28-14 win. Facing Oregon's roster, filled with future NFL draft picks, at Autzen Stadium will present a vastly superior challenge than anything James Madison has encountered, making a lopsided result highly probable.
In the quarterfinals, the predictions are: Ohio State to defeat Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, Texas Tech to overcome Oregon in the Orange Bowl, Indiana to advance past Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, and Georgia to win against Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
The semifinals are projected to see Georgia win the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, and Indiana secure the Peach Bowl victory over Texas Tech.
The College Football Playoff National Championship is predicted to feature No. 1 Indiana versus No. 3 Georgia, with Georgia ultimately being crowned the champion.