2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinal,…
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There is no juggernaut. There is no workforce still standing that will likely be talked about in the a long time to come.
In the absence of one, Ohio State was often handled like one, sporting a traditionally environment friendly protection, last season’s national championship rings and the No. 1 rating for almost your entire season. But the doubtless deadly flaw has been seen since the season opener, when the Buckeyes squeaked by Texas with 14 factors. It emerged again in the Big Ten title sport, when Ohio State scored 10 factors in the loss to Indiana.
The defending champs enter the playoff as the No. 2 seed, but with the Twenty eighth-ranked offense, having been restricted to less than 20 factors per sport against the 4 hardest defenses (Texas, Washington, Michigan, Indiana) it confronted, led by a first-year starter (Julian Sayin) who has struggled under strain, and was sacked 5 instances against the Hoosiers.
Miami’s entrance is constructed to create related havoc — that includes All-American Rueben Bain Jr. and senior Akheem Mesidor — half of a top 10 protection that forces almost two turnovers per sport, shuts down the run and excels in the purple zone. The Hurricanes (+9.5) could also battle to rating, but their College Football Playoff first-round upset at Texas A&M will likely be far more useful than the Buckeyes’ 25 days off heading into Wednesday night time’s quarterfinal.
Ohio State — still the betting favourite to win the national title — has fallen short of that purpose the past 3 times it spent the bulk of the season atop the polls (1998, 2006, 2015). The Buckeyes’ three most current national championships (2002, 2014, 2024) had been all sudden, including last season’s run as an 8-seed.
Orange Bowl: Texas Tech (+2.5) over Oregon
Texas Tech has exceeded its NIL-fueled hype, successful its first Big 12 title, while going undefeated with Behren Morton under middle, as effectively as 12-0 against the unfold with its beginning quarterback healthy.
Though Dan Lanning has made the Ducks annual contenders, he has also misplaced the workforce’s largest video games every season, most often as the favourite.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) seems to be on before the sport against the James Madison Dukes. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Texas Tech’s top-ranked run protection will drive Dante Moore to shoulder an excessive amount of duty, having thrown for an average of 149 yards, with one landing and three interceptions in his two earlier matchups against top 10 defenses (Indiana, Iowa), when the Ducks averaged 19 factors.
Rose Bowl: Alabama (+7.5) over Indiana
It was no coincidence that each workforce that obtained a bye last yr got here out flat. The Hoosiers is not going to be immune to the consequences of being off for almost 4 weeks, of spending the past month as the top-ranked workforce in the nation, and no longer ready to play the cardboard that no one believes in them.
For once, Alabama carries that chip, in the unthinkable state of affairs of the most dominant program in the game’s historical past taking part in the position of the underdog against the FBS workforce with the most all-time losses. The strain is on the Hoosiers — who have received three video games by 5 factors or less — and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, whose stock has been inflated by a generationally poor quarterback class.
The Tide received’t lack confidence, coming off an unimaginable comeback at Oklahoma, and getting into with more expertise and depth than the nation’s top-ranked workforce.
Sugar Bowl: Georgia (-6.5) over Ole Miss
The Rebels wouldn’t have signed up for this rematch after surrendering the sport’s remaining 17 factors — of a season-worst 43 allowed — against the Bulldogs on Oct. 18, when Georgia managed possession and Gunnar Stockton had his best efficiency of the season.
Kirby Smart’s core received’t face-plant in back-to-back playoffs, with his protection peaking — permitting an average of 7.3 factors in the past 4 video games — and Lane Kiffin’s absence sure to be felt.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. AP
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa (+5.5) over Vanderbilt
The Hawkeyes always have hope, struggling their 4 losses — all against ranked groups — by an average of less than 4 factors. It doesn’t really feel good to guess against Diego Pavia, but Iowa’s top 10 defensive rating is well-earned, having held a pair of top 10 offenses (Indiana, Oregon) to almost 20 factors below their season averages.
Sun Bowl: Duke (-3.5) over Arizona State
The Sun Devils haven’t been the same without beginning quarterback Sam Leavitt. Now, Kenny Dillingham will likely be without his top receiver, operating back and go rusher, as effectively as both beginning tackles.
Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
That is enough to tilt the sphere in favor of one of the ACC champs, whose opportunistic protection ought to give additional possessions to Darian Mensah, the nation’s fourth-leading passer.
Citrus Bowl: Michigan (+6.5) over Texas
It’s onerous to know which workforce will show up when so many key gamers from each aspect received’t show up. Though Arch Manning will go well with up — who is aware of for how long? — the Longhorns protection and backfield has been decimated, making the Wolverines a live canine after their upset of Alabama in the same bowl last yr. New coach Kyle Whittingham will likely be watching. Will Sherrone Moore?
Las Vegas Bowl: Utah (-14.5) over Nebraska
The Cornhuskers can have loads of points placing up factors without their star quarterback (Dylan Raiola) and operating back (Emmett Johnson), but the protection is a larger downside, most lately surrendering 40 factors to Iowa’s 121st-ranked offense.
Utah’s longtime defensive coordinator turned head coach, Morgan Scalley, is aware of the trail to success comes from pounding the rock. Anything under 200 yards could be a shock.
Utah Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley watches the workforce heat up before the sport against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Armed Forces Bowl: Rice (+14.5) over Texas State
A sport that highlights the absurdity of the bloated bowl season options an Owls (5-7) workforce that has no business being rewarded. But Rice — which was only invited after a number of faculties declined — ought to display urgency, wanting for its first bowl win since 2014 under first-year coach Scott Abell. The Bobcats are 0-2 against the unfold this season as favorites of two touchdowns or more.
Liberty Bowl: Navy (-7.5) over Cincinnati
Since 2013, the service academies are 19-3 against the unfold in bowl video games, being largely shielded from opt-outs and the switch portal.
Cincy isn’t so fortunate, getting into this sport without standout quarterback Brendan Sorsby — who will soon gather seven figures elsewhere — and at least 5 other starters. Even at full strength, the Bearcats would’ve struggled to stop Navy’s top-ranked ground sport, proudly owning the nation’s 104th-ranked run protection.
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) warms up before the sport against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Holiday Bowl: Arizona (-2.5) over SMU
The Wildcats will need it more, bouncing back from a 4-8 marketing campaign to doubtlessly end this season with six straight wins, while the Mustangs — who are 0-3 in the postseason under Rhett Lashlee — could battle to discover motivation, most lately blowing their likelihood to make the playoff for the second straight yr. Arizona hasn’t allowed more than 200 yards passing since September.
Betting on College Football?
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State (-3.5) over Wake Forest
The Bulldogs endured a grueling SEC gauntlet, and are far better than their document (5-7) suggests, having also gone 3-0 against the unfold as a favourite. True freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns in his first profession start against Ole Miss, while the Demon Deacons’ inconsistent offense will likely be without leading-rusher Demond Claiborne.
Best bets: Georgia, Navy
This season: 116-131-1 (18-31) (getting into Tuesday)
2014-24 document: 1,392-1,309-31
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Post’s main handicapper in faculty basketball (since 2011) and faculty soccer (since 2013).
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