The Joe Quarterback Podcast

The 2025 College Football Playoffs (CFP) are kicking off right about now. Here are Joe Quarterback’s (not so) “expert” picks going into the second year of the expanded 12-team field by round:

Round 1 (games played in home stadiums of higher ranked seeds)

• #12 James Madison vs. #5 Oregon – This is feeling like a very lopsided matchup. Ducks in Eugene? Feels like a no-brainer. Winner: Oregon (by 3 scores)
• #9 Alabama vs. #8 Oklahoma – I saw a stat earlier that no team has beaten Bama twice in a single season since 1893. The streak continues. Winner: Alabama (by 1 score – because that’s how the Tide have rolled this season)
• #11 Tulane vs. #6 Ole Miss – The Rebels had to deal with all of the Lane Kiffin departure drama at the end of the season, but they get it done against the Green Wave. Winner: Ole Miss (by 2 scores)
• #10 Miami vs. #7 Texas A&M – I live in Florida, hurricanes don’t scare me. Especially when they’re going into Kyle Field, home of the collegiate 12th man. Winner: Texas A&M (by 1 score)

CFP Quarterfinals

• Capital One Orange Bowl: #5 Oregon vs. #4 Texas Tech – The Red Raiders are here for a reason. But the Ducks have been here before. This one should be close. Winner: Oregon (by 1 score)
• Rose Bowl Game: #9 Alabama vs. #1 Indiana – The Hoosiers looked like a juggernaut at season’s end, led by the now-Heisman winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza (one of his many awards for this season). Lots of crimson on the field in this game, and it should be close. Winner: Indiana (by 1 score)
• Allstate Sugar Bowl: #6 Ole Miss vs. #3 Georgia – The Kiffin hangover finally takes effect and the Bulldogs move on. Winner: Georgia (by 2 scores)
• Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: #7 Texas A&M vs. #2 Ohio State – The Aggies have had an impressive run this year. But the Buckeyes will be too much for them. Winner: Ohio State (by 2 scores)

CFP Semifinals

• Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: #5 Oregon vs. #1 Indiana – The Hoosiers are on a roll and take down the Ducks for a second time this season. Winner: Indiana (by 1 score)
• Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: #3 Georgia vs. #2 Ohio State – I’m an SEC guy. So, it pains me to say it – there won’t be an SEC team in the championship. Winner: Ohio State (by 2 scores)

CFP National Championship at Hardrock Stadium: #2 Ohio State vs. #1 Indiana – Watching these two in the Big 10 Championship game makes this rematch feel almost inevitable. Their clash in Indy a few weeks ago showed 2 heavyweights, slugging it out until the very end. I think Ohio State learned a thing or two; and, they’re going to exploit it. It will be higher scoring than their last meeting, but still close. Winner: Ohio State (by 1 score)

Let me know what you think? Where am I wrong? Drop a comment below.