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The College Football Quarterfinals are here.
One is not enough. Two is better. Three is a sampling size. Four is a fact checker. Five… Well Five is what we call true evidence. with the new 12 team College Football Playoffs format, the teams that had a bye are now 0-5. The U defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes last night 24-14 which sent Mario Cristobal and his team one game away from playing an essential home game in the national championship. The storylines and build-up pending the results of the rest of the semifinals are in a word: exquisite. However, that’s why we play the games. Tariq has some good previews and questions to be asked of the teams playing on New Year’s Day. I’ll leave everyone with the 3 important things I’m looking at today.
1. The B1G has a very important day in front of them and before Georgia and Ole Miss kick off; they may have two teams in the CFB Semifinals. Dan Lanning has some interesting thoughts on how today should be the end of the college football season, but it’s good to actually see some good leadership from someone in this conference stand up for college football.
2. I think Dante Moore should be the no.1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft based on eye test and talent, but Dante hasn’t won anything of substance yet on the college football level. Every other QB remaining has won a conference championship and/or a national championship (Chambliss at Ferris State last year). What an awesome opportunity for him to go prove it on the field that not only does he have the talent, but he has a three game run in front of him to change his life forever. One game at a time.
3. Is Ole Miss’ rallying cry for real or is their run about to end against a team that has been the best program in college football in the 2020s? Another #itjustmeansmore SEC battle, but I can’t think of a team that has a tougher task today than the Ole Miss football squad. Kirby Smart’s teams don’t lose games… You have to go out and BEAT them.
Tariq Previews and Picks
Likely the most even matchup in the quarterfinals, two dominant defenses meet two balanced, yet run heavy offensive attacks.
The Red Raiders have the third ranked scoring defense, the Ducks are 10th, are also the best run defense in the country. Led by standout linebackers Jacob Rodriguez, David Bailey and Ben Roberts; Oregon will have to find ways to negate their impact.
Oregon is sixth in passing yards given up per game; linebackers Bryce Boettcher and Teitum Tuioti look to make their presence felt as well. On paper this game is at a stalemate. Will defense reign supreme? Will the offenses be sneaky explosive? Which offense has the edge? Which quarterback do you trust more; Dante Moore or Behren Norton? We are hours away from those questions being answered!
The Pick: Oregon 20 Texas Tech 16
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Indiana Hoosiers. Alabama Crimson Tide. Rose Bowl. Who would’ve ever thought Indiana would be the powerhouse and favorite coming into a CFP quarterfinal against Alabama?
The Hoosiers not only have the Heisman winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but the second ranked scoring defense as well. The balance among the skill players; Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, Omar Cooper Jr and Elijah Sarratt all have an opportunity to become legends in Indiana. Keep in mind, Ohio State just fell to Miami. The stars are aligned for Mendoza and the Hoosiers to finish off this magical season with a National Championship.
Or are they? Historically, there’s one team you don’t want in your path, Alabama. But I asked this before the Oklahoma game, and I’ll ask again. Is this the same Crimson Tide? Is this program still filled with the talent, gameplan and discipline to claw back to the top of college football. Ty Simpson will likely have to have one of the best games of his career. Can Alabama play spoiler and continue the trend of teams on a bye struggling?
The Pick: Indiana 37 Alabama 21
Georgia vs. Ole Miss
The Georgia Bulldogs have dominated the CFP the last few years and look to continue with a very motivated and emotional Ole Miss team.
The Bulldogs sport the fourth ranked rushing defense and eighth ranked scoring defense. Their offense has the ability to put up points; with the dual threat of Gunnar Stockton, the elite play of Zachariah Branch and the dynamic duo of Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens. Linebackers CJ Allen, Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson will look to dominate and wreak havoc against the Rebels running attack.
Kewan Lacy has 21 rushing touchdowns and ran for 1,300 yards, but will have his work cut out for him against this Bulldogs athletic defense. Trinidad Chambliss is going to have to be an ultimate dual threat in this game, to open the door for Lacy. Harrison Wallace III, Deuce Alexander and De’Zhaun Stribling all have over 40 receptions on the season. Those guys need to make an impact all game long.
Can motivation lead the Rebels to another upset? Will the bye affect Georgia? Is Georgia prepared to get one step closer to reclaiming the throne? If the Rebels pull off the upset, the matchup would be against red hot, upset driven Miami which would make them feel way more confident about their chances of reaching the National Championship.
The Pick: Georgia 27 Ole Miss 17
As a co-founder of Multiplicity Media, it's an honor to be able to showcase some of the best talent creating sports and entertainment content. I am the host of Chaos and Conversation, Kicking' It With The Brothas, and Mike of All Trades.
