2025 College Football Playoff: Quarterfinals Preview and Predictions

The 2025 College Football Playoff quarterfinals feature compelling matchups with significant implications for teams and fans. According to ESPN, the Rose Bowl will showcase No. 9 Alabama against top-seeded Indiana on January 1st.

Indiana, which has posted a perfect 13-0 record and won its first outright Big Ten title since 1945, has a key player in quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who leads the FBS with 33 touchdown passes. The Hoosiers will need to improve their fourth-down efficiency to secure a victory, as they converted only eight of 16 attempts this season.

Alabama, fresh off a comeback win against Oklahoma, must limit mistakes and rely on quarterback Ty Simpson to match his earlier-season form. The winner will face Ohio State, who has a 100% chance of advancing according to ESPN's SP+ projections.

In another quarterfinal, No. 10 Miami will clash with No. 7 Texas A&M, both teams being known for their volatility this season. A&M's defense has excelled at forcing third-and-longs, while Miami's offense ranks highly in red zone efficiency.

The predictions from CBS Sports suggest a likely progression for the top seeds, with experts favoring Ohio State and Indiana to meet again in the semifinals. Overall, the stakes are high as teams vie for a chance at the national championship on January 20th in Miami.