The recent unveiling of the College Football Playoff bracket has sparked discussions, particularly regarding the selection of the 12 teams. Despite a heavy defeat by Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, Alabama holds the No. 9 seed, making a return to the playoff after missing out last year. Meanwhile, Miami managed to surpass Notre Dame in the rankings based on head-to-head results. Notably, Group of 5 teams Tulane and James Madison also secured spots in the tournament.
This year”s playoff is particularly exciting as all campuses hosting first-round games are different from those of the previous season. This freshness adds to the anticipation for the upcoming matchups. Here, we rank the first-round games by their intrigue and atmosphere.
Oregon, having only lost once this season to the top-ranked team, Indiana, will host first-time playoff participant James Madison. JMU secured its spot by winning the Sun Belt championship, aided by Duke”s victory in the ACC title game. Coach Dan Lanning is unlikely to let his team underestimate a Group of 5 opponent, but the Ducks are undeniably the more talented squad. Quarterback Dante Moore has performed well, supported by a plethora of offensive weapons, and the running game, spearheaded by Noah Whittington, has been formidable. JMU”s defense is its strongest asset, and if they can contain Oregon, this matchup may be closer than expected.
Another compelling story is the absence of Lane Kiffin, who will not be on the sidelines for Ole Miss. Kiffin accepted the coaching position at LSU but expressed a desire to lead the Rebels through the playoffs. However, his request was denied. Despite the off-field drama, the environment in Oxford is primed for a playoff atmosphere. Earlier this season, Ole Miss convincingly defeated Tulane at home, 45-10. Since that game, Tulane, now led by BYU transfer quarterback Jake Reztlaff, clinched the American championship, finishing the season with an 11-2 record. Ole Miss, eager to secure a national championship without Kiffin, presents a significant challenge to a Tulane team that has shown inconsistency throughout the year.
Oklahoma recently ended Alabama”s impressive 17-game home winning streak, a victory that propelled the Sooners into playoff discussions. Quarterback John Mateer made crucial plays, and Coach Brent Venables” defense created turnovers. This win earned Oklahoma a playoff berth, setting up a rematch with Alabama in the first round. While beating a team twice in one season is a daunting task, Alabama will need to improve significantly on its conference title game performance against Georgia. The health of key players, including running back Jam Miller, will be vital for the Tide as they prepare for this high-stakes SEC playoff game.
Though not set for nighttime, Kyle Field is known as one of the most intimidating venues in college football. Texas A&M finished the regular season unbeaten until a loss to rival Texas in the finale knocked them out of the SEC championship game. However, they still secured a playoff spot and will host their first-ever CFP game. The Aggies” loss may have served as a wake-up call before they embark on their playoff journey. They will face Miami, a team looking to prove itself after an up-and-down season. The Hurricanes started strong but faced setbacks that nearly derailed their playoff hopes. Quarterback Carson Beck, who missed last year”s playoff due to injury while at Georgia, now has the opportunity to shine against one of the nation”s top defenses.
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball, and soccer for FOX Sports. She has previously written for Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and The Indianapolis Star. Litman is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on Twitter at @LakenLitman.
