Standings:
1.) Hoying 52-20 (2-12 upset)
1.) Schweinfurth 52-20 (0-14 upset)
3.) Seeberg 48-24 (4-10 upset)
4.) Draper 45-27 (2-12 upset)
Welcome to the Upside Down, where everything is strange and alien, and the Eleven Warriors sadly weren't quite as successful as Eleven and her warriors (spoiler alert). Nothing better summarizes this year's bizarro world College Football Playoff than the fact that the Oregon Ducks chasing their first ever national championship after coming oh so close so many times during the last 15 years...is the LEAST compelling narrative of the CFP semifinalists.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
Cotton Bowl: Miami Hurricanes vs. Mississippi Rebels
Draper: Going into the playoffs, there was always a chance for these teams to make a run. I was more confident in Miami as they had all the pieces necessary, but bad Carson Beck kept them from perfection. Ole Miss was an absolute wildcard from the get go. In fact, they're similar to the 2024 OSU squad who entered the playoffs with low/no expectations (for different reasons), but then just decided to win the whole effin thing. Neither of these teams really expected to be here, but a massive choke by UGA left the door open and a pick six doomed the Bucks. Can the Cane lines bully the Rebels like they did to the Buckeyes? I think they can, but Chambliss is much more mobile than Sayin. It will come down to Carson Beck's ability to not make the big mistake and Bain getting to the QB. I think they'll do just enough to edge out the Rebels who have to be running on fumes at this point. I hate them...but Michael Irvin's dealer will be making some bank. UM: 24--Miss: 21
Hoying: It's a good thing these teams are playing each other because each of them is threatening to run out of steam at any moment. We (unfortunately) got to see Good Carson Beck (if you can call less than 6 yards per attempt "good") last week in Jerryworld, but it's always only a matter of time before Bad Carson Beck rears his ugly head. And it starts with pressure. The Buckeyes tallied all of two sacks after putting up four each against Tennessee and Texas in last year's Playoff (and EIGHT against Oregon) against the most Jekyll-and-Hyde pressure sensitive QB since Andy Dalton. Unfortunately for the SEC, their last remaining hope isn't exactly known for their defense, averaging about half a sack per game fewer than your favorite team. It's not like the Hurricane offense put a bunch of points up on the Bucks even with the lack of pressure, but the question will be whether Trinidad Chambliss can succeed where Julian Sayin failed, and whether the Rebel front can give him the time to do so. The other elephant in the room is whether Ole Miss will be able to keep their coaching staff intact to sustain a Playoff run, as another pair of offensive coaches have been abducted by the Lane Train. We saw in the Big Ten Championship what can happen when a team has to face distraction after distraction while preparing for a top opponent. These two teams were my outside-the-box choices to potentially turn it on at the right time and pull off a shocker of a Playoff run, and one of them will be taking it all the way to Miami in a couple weeks. With all the turmoil surrounding the Ole Miss program, and the talented Hurricanes peaking at just the right time, I think they'll keep the SEC out of the championship for the third straight year and get their chance to stop a third Big Ten team from taking the title in as many years. UM: 27--Miss: 24
Schweinfurth: The 'Ole Miss joy ride has to end at some point right? They have been impressive to this point, but with all of the distractions, it has to be almost over. Miami, to their credit, can bring the heat on both lines. It truly feels like Miami is the better and more cohesive team. Keeping Carson Beck from making the big mistake will be important. Miami should win. UM: 28--Miss: 17
Seeberg: Just think- we were a “we can use tempo!” coaching decision away from from THREE Big Ten teams in the final four. *Heaviest of sighs*. Anyway, here’s your game to see who gets to be the runner up this year. Ole Miss found something even after the Lane Train’s departure, but they’re still suspect at best defensively. Trinidad is super mobile, but a team that only needs 4 to get pressure like Miami can afford a QB spy on defense. Miami will likely grind down the Rebels and that tired defense will get gashed late. The U reaches a title game only to get their hopes dashed by a Big Ten school. UM: 27—Miss: 16
Seeberg: Just think- we were a “we can use tempo!” coaching decision away from from THREE Big Ten teams in the final four. *Heaviest of sighs*. Anyway, here’s your game to see who gets to be the runner up this year. Ole Miss found something even after the Lane Train’s departure, but they’re still suspect at best defensively. Trinidad is super mobile, but a team that only needs 4 to get pressure like Miami can afford a QB spy on defense. Miami will likely grind down the Rebels and that tired defense will get gashed late. The U reaches a title game only to get their hopes dashed by a Big Ten school. UM: 27—Miss: 16
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
Peach Bowl: Oregon Ducks vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Draper: Ugh....I hate rematches so much. Let's see...IU went to Eugene and beat this EXACT team on the road this year....but THIS is the one that counts. While I've faded both of these teams (to my detriment) this year, a new B1G team will be playing for a national championship for the 3rd straight year. Indiana has been a model of consistency with the upperclassman transfers (do they recruit high school players any more?). Oregon has continued to thrive with question marks abounding. The injury to the Duck RB is a real concern in this game, as the Hoosier defense is just awesome. Can the Ducks slow down Mendoza? I'd suggest asking him his favorite LOTR character...that might cause a delay of game. It's Cig's world and we're just living in it. Hoosier mania rolls to the title and we get another interview with the most loveable dork of all time (who is a freaking Heisman winner!). I can't believe I'm typing this....Indiana to the title. Ore: 20--IU: 30
Hoying: I hope you enjoyed rematch season, because this is the last one we'll see this year. When these two last played, Indiana pulled out a double digit win in the unfriendly confines of Autzen Stadium, in a game that was only really close because of a late pick six by Oregon. Championship teams can navigate these setbacks. The Hoosiers haven't slowed down since, escaping late against Penn State and needing some boneheaded red zone play by Ohio State but otherwise dominating everyone else they've faced, capped off by the most comprehensive humbling of Alabama since the 20th century. Oregon has been no slouch either, with a bit of a questionable schedule but proving their bona fides with a convincing shutout of the red hot Red Raiders. Rematches have generally flipped the script this season, most visibly with Ole Miss avenging October's fourth quarter collapse against Georgia in last week's Sugar Bowl (offer void for Tulane though), but I just don't see any reason why Oregon takes this one without a monumental collapse by the overwhelming title favorite Indiana Hoosiers (still never won't be weird). We saw last week what happens when a title contender doesn't play up to their potential, but the Indiana players are tough, disciplined, and don't make mistakes. And though Curt Cignetti must be feeling the butterflies leading up to the big moment, on the surface he looks calm and ready (mom's spaghetti). It's not so much that Oregon doesn't have an answer for the 2025 Indiana Hoosiers. It's that nobody does. Ore: 17--IU: 27
Schweinfurth: It's going to take quite a bit to beat the Hoosiers. You need to run the ball effectively and shut down the Hoosiers offense. Oregon can do it. The problem is, it took a pick 6 to keep them in the game. I fully expect this to be close, but Indiana has death machine vibes. Either way, this is probably your true national championship game. Mendoza keeps this one rolling. Ore: 14--IU: 17
Seeberg: I can’t decide which team winning the title would be worse. Oregon not having one is endlessly fun, but the IU fanbase went from nonexistent to never shutting up in about 1.5 years. On the field, remarkably, I do think IU is the better squad. At SOME point, however, talent and experience will win out. Ole Miss is the only good option left, but the Ducks know it’s this year- with big bad OSU out of the way- or never. Dante Moore gets a #1 pick style payday with his performance and sends Oregon to the championship. Quack quack. Ore: 26—IU: 20
Seeberg: I can’t decide which team winning the title would be worse. Oregon not having one is endlessly fun, but the IU fanbase went from nonexistent to never shutting up in about 1.5 years. On the field, remarkably, I do think IU is the better squad. At SOME point, however, talent and experience will win out. Ole Miss is the only good option left, but the Ducks know it’s this year- with big bad OSU out of the way- or never. Dante Moore gets a #1 pick style payday with his performance and sends Oregon to the championship. Quack quack. Ore: 26—IU: 20
