The College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals are finally here, and this year’s matchups look absolutely electric. After some wild upsets in the quarterfinals, the teams left standing are ready to put on a show.
The folks over at Dawgs247 have taken a close look at these games and dropped their picks against the spread. No. 10 Miami is set to face No. 6 Ole Miss, while No. 1 Indiana takes on No. 5 Oregon. It’s hard not to get a little hyped for these games.
Miami vs. Ole Miss: A Clash of Titans
The first semifinal gives us No. 10 Miami squaring off against No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl. Kickoff is Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET in Glendale, Arizona. This one’s shaping up to be a real chess match.
Expert Predictions Favor Miami
The Dawgs247 experts are leaning toward Miami. Jordan Hill, Kipp Adams, Ben Wolk, and Olivia Sayer all expect Miami to cover and punch their ticket to the championship.
Hill points to Miami’s beefy lines and playmakers like Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. Adams is all about Miami’s defensive end Reuben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, thinking they’ll make life tough for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Ole Miss: The Cinderella Story
Ole Miss has been on a wild ride, led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. They’ve knocked off some giants this season, including the defending champs.
Still, most experts see Miami’s defense as too much for them. Wolk notes that Chambliss won’t get the same comfy pocket he had against Georgia, and Miami’s pass rush is no joke. Sayer is with the majority, calling Miami’s defense the safer pick.
Indiana vs. Oregon: The Battle of the Blue Chips
The second semifinal is No. 1 Indiana against No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl. That game’s set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Atlanta.
Indiana’s Dominance
Indiana has been rolling all season, with quarterback Fernando Mendoza leading the way. The Dawgs247 crew is pretty confident about Indiana moving on.
Hill is calling for an eight-point Indiana win. Adams likes Mendoza’s poise and the team’s knack for converting third downs. Sayer also expects Indiana to cover, especially after their earlier win over Oregon and with Oregon’s defense looking a bit shaky.
Oregon’s Upset Potential
But Oregon’s not just here to fill a spot. Quarterback Dante Moore has helped the Ducks get better as the season’s gone on.
Wolk, though, isn’t totally sold on Indiana covering the spread. He points out that rematches can favor the team that lost the first time. Oregon might keep it close—maybe even within a field goal.
Key Players to Watch
Both games are loaded with stars who could tip the scales. For Miami, keep an eye on:
- Malachi Toney – He’s got a knack for big plays
- Mark Fletcher Jr. – Running back with serious momentum
- Reuben Bain – Relentless defensive end
- Akheem Mesidor – Another defensive anchor
For Ole Miss, don’t sleep on:
- Trinidad Chambliss – Their star QB
- Suntarine Perkins – Linebacker who brings the heat
Indiana’s main man is:
- Fernando Mendoza – Quarterback with a cool head
And for Oregon:
- Dante Moore – Talented, gutsy quarterback
Conclusion
The CFP semifinals are shaping up to be a real spectacle. Each team’s got its own strengths, and honestly, nobody’s guaranteed anything.
Experts seem to lean toward Miami and Indiana, but I wouldn’t count Ole Miss or Oregon out just yet. Upsets? Yeah, they could happen.
Fans are in for some high-intensity action and probably a few surprises. If you want deeper takes and predictions, the full article on Dawgs247 is worth a look.
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