Max Chadwick

Each of Indiana, Oregon, Ole Miss and Miami (FL) boasts a trait that not only has led it to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but also that separates it from the rest of the field.

Max Chadwick ranks the quarterbacks who will be playing in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman analyze the two semifinal matchups in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.

Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman analyze all four quarterfinal matchups in the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.

Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman break down all four games in the first round of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.

James Madison has the defense and run game that could give Oregon some issues. If Barnett can keep his hot streak going, the Dukes may have an outside chance at an upset.

Tulane’s passing attack can keep the Green Wave within striking distance in these playoff games, but the defense must perform better if Tulane is going to pull off a massive upset.

If Carson Beck can play clean football for four straight games, Miami has the talent to make a deep run in the playoff and potentially win the whole thing.

Alabama has the defense, offensive line and receiving corps capable of making a deep run in the playoff. The question is whether a cold Ty Simpson can carry this offense without much of a run game to rely on.

Oklahoma’s defense can keep it close with any team it faces in the playoff. The question is whether the offense can pull its weight enough to make a run.

Texas A&M has the defense and supporting cast on offense to compete for the program’s first national championship since 1939. It may just come down to whether or not Marcel Reed can play clean and consistent football for four straight games.

Ole Miss will be eager to show Lane Kiffin what he’s missing in the College Football Playoff. The Rebels should at least make the quarterfinals, where they’ll need to avenge their loss to Georgia in order to move further than that.

Oregon might not be the favorite going into the playoff like it was last year, but the Ducks could be primed for a deeper run than the 2024 squad thanks to a complete roster.

Texas Tech has a national championship-caliber defense. The question is whether the passing game can pull its weight for the Red Raiders to capture their first title.

Georgia isn’t the odds-on favorite to win the national championship like in previous seasons, but the Bulldogs have enough talent on both sides of the ball to potentially bring home their third trophy in the last five years.

While Ohio State suffered a setback in the Big Ten championship game, the Buckeyes are still the betting favorites to repeat as national champions.

Indiana was an incredible underdog story last season. Now, the Hoosiers enter the playoff as the team to beat.

The Jets trade up for quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who ranks fifth among FBS quarterbacks in PFF passing grade (90.5) and leads the nation with 33 passing touchdowns. The Vikings, meanwhile, land running back Jeremiyah Love, whose 95.2 PFF overall grade since 2024 is the highest among all running backs in college football.

USF's Byrum Brown and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren headline PFF's 2025 All-Group of Six Team.

Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and receiver Malachi Toney headline PFF's 2025 All-ACC Team.