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College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Set: Alabama, Miami Shine

12/22/2025

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Summary

College Football Quarterfinals

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are set for December 31, with No. 9 Alabama facing No. 1 Indiana, and No. 7 Miami facing No. 2 Ohio State.
Alabama rallied from a 17-0 deficit to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma.
Miami's defense dominated Texas A&M, limiting them to three points.
The quarterfinals include rematches: No. 5 Ole Miss vs No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 Texas Tech vs No. 6 Oregon.

Summary

CFP Blowout Criticism

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has faced criticism for lopsided outcomes, with recent games producing blowouts.
In the first round, Group of Six teams such as Tulane and James Madison suffered heavy losses, prompting questions about their inclusion.
The Big Ten and SEC have won nine of the first eleven playoffs, and the prospect of a breakaway league could marginalize smaller programs and solidify the power of the top conferences.

History

Historical Context

Established in 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) replaced the Bowl Championship Series to enhance postseason competition. In its first year, the SEC and Big Ten dominated, winning nine of the first eleven playoffs. As of 2023, concerns over inclusivity persist, particularly for Group of Five teams like Tulane, amid discussions of a potential breakaway league that could further entrench elite conference power.

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College Football Quarterfinals

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are set for December 31, with No. 9 Alabama facing No. 1 Indiana, and No. 7 Miami facing No. 2 Ohio State.
Alabama rallied from a 17-0 deficit to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma.
Miami's defense dominated Texas A&M, limiting them to three points.
The quarterfinals include rematches: No. 5 Ole Miss vs No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 Texas Tech vs No. 6 Oregon.

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