Photo Credit: Grace Hollars
The format of the College Football Playoff was recently changed following the 2023–2024 season. The playoff expanded from four teams to twelve, including the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven other top teams chosen by a selection committee. The twelve teams selected for this year’s tournament caused some controversy leading up to the playoffs. Teams including the Indiana Hoosiers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Tech Raiders, and a handful of other teams were thought to be shoe-ins for the playoffs according to the majority of fans, while teams such as James Madison and Tulane were viewed as controversial picks as the 11 and 12th seeds. Although both teams had records deserving of a playoff spot, their schedules consisted largely of unranked opponents, suggesting that they stood a poor chance against some of the SEC and Big Ten powerhouses. This became even more controversial as teams such as Notre Dame were left out in place of these teams while holding similar records against more challenging opponents. In response, Notre Dame turned down the offer to play in this year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl.
In the first game of the 2025–2026 College Football Playoffs, 9th seed Alabama faced 8th seed Oklahoma in Oklahoma. Throughout the first half, the teams were tied 17–17, playing well on both sides of the ball. Despite this close first half, Alabama took care of business in the second half, dominating defensively and consistently scoring on offense with quarterback Ty Simpson. This marked an unfortunately early exit for the Sooners and quarterback John Mateer following a somewhat disappointing season due to a hand injury early in September.
The following game featured 12th seed James Madison University versus 5th seed Oregon. In this matchup, the Ducks proved they were deserving of their high seed, jumping out to a 34–6 halftime lead before easing off the throttle in the second half and finishing with a 51–34 victory. In the next first-round game, 6th seed Ole Miss faced 11th seed Tulane. Ole Miss defeated Tulane 41–10, commanding the ball throughout the entire game. Earlier in the season, Ole Miss’s former head coach Lane Kiffin announced his decision to coach LSU, leaving Ole Miss with Pete Golding as head coach.
10th seed Miami then played 7th seed Texas A&M, defeating them 10–3 in a defensively dominated game. This win advanced Miami to face second-seed Ohio State. Going into this matchup, Ohio State was heavily favored with stars on both sides of the ball. Despite this, Miami jumped out to a 14–0 halftime lead and never looked back, winning 24–14.
The undefeated No. 1 seed Indiana then played Alabama, where Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza led a stress-free 38–3 victory, impressively throwing three touchdown passes. Ole Miss then faced third-seed Georgia. Both offenses played well in the first half as Georgia took a 21–12 lead, with quarterback Gunner Stockton rushing for two touchdowns. By the fourth quarter, Ole Miss’s offense came alive, scoring 20 points in twelve minutes of football. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led a game-winning drive to end the game 39–34 in favor of Ole Miss.
Oregon then played Texas Tech, easily winning 23–0 as Texas Tech struggled to move the ball offensively. Miami later faced Ole Miss, with both teams coming off upset wins and looking to carry momentum toward the national championship. Miami took an early four-point lead as Ole Miss was unable to score in the first quarter. The teams went back and forth offensively, but Ole Miss was unable to take the lead, resulting in a 31–27 Miami victory.
Indiana then once again dominated in their matchup, this time against Oregon, taking a 35–7 halftime lead. They continued this dominance into the second half, winning 56–22, with Mendoza throwing five touchdown passes. The College Football National Championship took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, where the Indiana Hoosiers played the hometown Miami Hurricanes in the final game of the 2025–2026 season. This game was significant for both programs, as it marked Indiana’s first national championship and Miami’s first since 2001.
The first quarter was unproductive offensively for both teams, as Indiana held Miami scoreless while only managing a short field goal themselves. The second quarter saw more offensive production but remained defensively dominated, as Indiana drove 85 yards to score the first touchdown of the game, ending the half with a 10–0 lead. Early in the second half, Miami finally broke through when Mark Fletcher rushed for a 57-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to three points. Indiana quickly responded with a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown. Miami scored twice in the fourth quarter, but Indiana answered each time, never allowing Miami to take the lead. Indiana ultimately defeated Miami 27–21, securing the program’s first national championship and an undefeated season, while Heisman quarterback Fernando Mendoza earned Offensive MVP honors.