The season started in August, and now we’re nearing the end. We’ve waited over three months for this, but now it’s arrived! The 2025 College Football Playoff Round 1 is finally here. It should be exciting with three great games on the slate. Here’s a preview of all of them.
No. 9 Alabama vs No. 8 Oklahoma
For the last two years, Oklahoma has taken down Alabama in the regular season. Now the Tide get another crack at Oklahoma and the Sooners will get the home field advantage. It sounds crazy but Kalen DeBoer might actually be feeling some heat and that Michigan job is still open. While he publicly announced his desire to be at Alabama, crazier things have happened in the last week. That being said, I don’t think he will be looking for a job just yet. Bama and Oklahoma have similar defenses; both can shut down an opposing offense. But my trust is in Ty Simpson who I think can skate Bama to a second-round game against Indiana. Prediction: Alabama 21 Oklahoma 17
No. 10 Miami vs No. 7 Texas A&M
I think Kyle Field is going to be the biggest difference in this game. When Carson Beck and Marcel Reed take the field, you can expect some turnovers and this to be a bit of a sloppy game. Ultimately, Texas A&M is the far better team in my eyes. This team lost just 1 game all season long. They were beaten by just Texas. Miami has worse losses; they didn’t impress me all that much in a very weak ACC and I don’t think their roster is nearly as talented as this Aggies squad. Mike Elko is ready for the moment, and the home crowd will give them everything they need in this game to advance and play Ohio State. Prediction: Miami 25 Texas A&M 28
No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs No. 12 James Madison
Is this for real? For the first time in CFP history, I am blatantly saying that a team doesn’t belong because James Madison is a sorry excuse for the College Football Playoff. There is no way that you can convince me that James Madison is one of the top 12 teams in the country. When you look at their schedule, the only legit opponent that they faced was Louisville and they lost by double digits. Oregon is bigger, stronger, faster, more talented, more athletic, and better coached. Listen, I love an underdog story as much as the next guy, but this is too much. Oregon is going to score early and often in this game. Prediction: Oregon 40 James Madison 17
No 6. Ole Miss vs No. 11 Tulane
This game could be interesting. For starters, Lane Kiffin is gone and he is not coaching this game. Interestingly enough, John Sumrall is now the head coach at Florida, but he is staying back to coach Tulane in the CFP. I don’t know how I feel about Ole Miss without Kiffin, especially given how crucial he is to the offense. The Rebels have had to deal with a boatload of distractions, and this could be too much to overcome. On the other hand, how much focus is Sumrall able to give when he is already having to recruit for the Gators. Prediction: Ole Miss 35 Tulane 26