Orange Bowl: No. 5 Oregon def. No. 4 Texas Tech 23-0
No. 5 Oregon delivered a defensive masterclass, shutting out No. 4 Texas Tech 23–0 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl. The Ducks (13–1) overwhelmed the Red Raiders (12–2) from start to finish, forcing four turnovers, recording four sacks, and piling up seven tackles for loss in one of the most dominant postseason performances in program history.
Oregon’s defense held Texas Tech to season lows in passing yards (137), rushing yards (78), and first downs (10), marking the first shutout of an AP Top-5 team since 2018. The Red Raiders—who entered the game averaging 42.5 points and 480.3 yards per game—were stopped on fourth down three times and managed four three-and-outs.
Defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. starred for Oregon, forcing three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery. One of those interceptions came in the end zone just as Texas Tech appeared in position to mount a comeback. Matayo Uiagalelei also made a critical impact, forcing a fumble that set up an Oregon touchdown.
Offensively, Jordon Davison rushed for two touchdowns, Dante Moore threw for 234 yards, and Atticus Sappington added three field goals. The Ducks will advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will face No. 1 Indiana in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 in a rematch of Indiana’s 30–20 win over Oregon earlier this season.
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana def. No. 9 Alabama 38-3
No. 1 Indiana continued its historic season with a dominant 38–3 win over No. 9 Alabama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. The undefeated Hoosiers (14–0) delivered Alabama its worst bowl loss ever and most lopsided defeat since 1998, advancing to the semifinals.
Indiana’s defense set the tone early, stifling the Crimson Tide and limiting them to one field goal late in the third quarter. Alabama struggled, going 3-for-11 on third down and failing to convert either fourth-down attempt. Quarterback Ty Simpson was held to just 67 passing yards before exiting with a rib injury, marking his lowest output of the season.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza led a balanced and efficient Indiana offense, completing 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. After an early three-and-out, the Hoosiers scored on six of their next seven possessions, leaning on power runs, quick passes, and long, time-consuming drives. Indiana also rushed for 215 yards behind Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black.
The win marked another milestone for Indiana football, a program that entered the 2025 season as the losingest in FBS history. Now Big Ten champions and national title favorites under Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers will face No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9 for a spot in the national championship game.
Sugar Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs No. 3 Georgia 39-34
No. 6 Ole Miss punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals with a thrilling 39–34 win over No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Lucas Carneiro drilled a 47-yard field goal with six seconds remaining, capping a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and sending the Rebels (13–1) into the next round.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss delivered a brilliant performance, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns while making several key plays with his legs. Ole Miss scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, overcoming a nine-point halftime deficit and avenging its lone regular-season loss.
Georgia surged ahead with a 21–6 run before halftime but struggled to sustain momentum after the break, scoring just three points on its first four second-half drives. Ole Miss seized control behind touchdown runs from Kewan Lacy, then held firm late, forcing a field goal with under a minute left before Chambliss connected with De’Zhaun Stribling to set up the game-winner.
Harrison Wallace III caught nine passes for 156 yards, Stribling added 122 yards, and Ole Miss outgained Georgia with 473 total yards to 343. The Rebels will face No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8, with a trip to the national championship game on the line.
Cotton Bowl: No. 10 Miami def. No. 2 Ohio State 24-14
No. 10 Miami knocked off defending national champion Ohio State with a 24–14 win in the Cotton Bowl, advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Hurricanes (12–2) jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished control against the No. 2 Buckeyes (12–2).
Miami built a 14–0 lead in the second quarter, highlighted by a 72-yard pick-six from Keionte Scott. When Ohio State cut the deficit to 17–14 in the second half, the Hurricanes responded with a five-minute, 70-yard touchdown drive to put the game away.
The Hurricanes’ defense was relentless throughout the night, sacking Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin five times after he had been taken down just six times all regular season. Sayin finished 22-of-35 for 287 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown, while star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith posted 157 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Miami’s balanced offense and defensive pressure proved decisive, as the Hurricanes eliminated the defending champs and earned a semifinal matchup against No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.
College Football Playoff Semifinal Matchups
- Peach Bowl: (No. 1) Indiana vs. (No. 5) Oregon on Jan. 9
- Fiesta Bowl: (No. 6) Ole Miss vs. (No. 10) Miami on Jan. 8
