The 2025 College Football Playoff is gearing up for a wild ride. First-round matchups look seriously fun, and the 12-team bracket isn’t short on drama.
We’ve got two regular-season rematches: No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss. Powerhouses and underdogs are about to collide—should be a blast for fans.
Let’s look at the key details and some storylines for each game. There are a few players to keep an eye on, some big questions, and, honestly, a lot to play for.
Alabama at Oklahoma
When: Dec. 19, 8 p.m. ET.
TV: ABC/ESPN
Road to the Playoff
Alabama’s season was a rollercoaster, but they clawed their way in with a crucial four-game win streak. Ty Simpson has steadied things at quarterback, though the rushing attack took a hit when Jam Miller got banged up.
Oklahoma’s defense, with Brent Venables at the helm, has been tough as nails. The offense, though, has been a bit of a wild card—sometimes clicking, sometimes sputtering, with John Mateer and R Mason Thomas carrying a lot of weight.
Player to Watch
Alabama: Jam Miller. If he’s not healthy, Alabama’s run game just isn’t the same. He’s the difference between three yards and a cloud of dust or a real threat on the ground.
Oklahoma: R Mason Thomas. He’s missed a stretch with injury, but if he’s back, Alabama’s offense will have a lot more to worry about. He’s a game-wrecker up front.
Biggest Question
Alabama: Can they get the offense humming again? Third downs have been rough, and missing key guys hasn’t helped.
Oklahoma: Will the offense actually show up? Sometimes the defense has to bail them out, and that’s not a sustainable plan.
They Can Win If…
Alabama: They need the offense to click, plain and simple. If Jam Miller is himself and Ty Simpson keeps making big plays, they’ve got a shot.
Oklahoma: Stick with what works—defense and just enough offense. If Mateer can make plays and special teams chip in, they’re in business.
Miami at Texas A&M
When: Dec. 20, noon ET.
TV: ABC/ESPN
Road to the Playoff
Miami came out swinging, knocking off Notre Dame, Florida, and USF. Then things got dicey—some losses, some confusion on offense—but they closed strong, thanks in large part to freshman Malachi Toney.
Texas A&M rode Marcel Reed’s playmaking all year. Even with a late loss to Texas, they looked solid and dangerous.
Player to Watch
Miami: Malachi Toney. He’s been electric, and Miami’s offense just moves differently when he’s on. He’s a freshman, but he doesn’t play like one.
Texas A&M: Marcel Reed. The guy can beat you with his arm or his legs. If he gets hot, defenses have a real problem.
Biggest Question
Miami: Which Carson Beck shows up? He’s had some brilliant games but can be turnover-prone when things get tight.
Texas A&M: Can they finish in the red zone? Settling for field goals instead of touchdowns could haunt them.
They Can Win If…
Miami: Balance is everything. If they can run the ball and keep Beck comfortable, they’ll be tough to stop.
Texas A&M: Dominate up front and force Miami into obvious passing downs. Their pass defense is no joke, and that’s their path.
Tulane at Ole Miss
When: Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m. ET.
TV: TNT/HBO Max
Road to the Playoff
Tulane started hot but got rocked by Ole Miss and lost a weird one to UTSA. Still, they righted the ship and grabbed the American Championship, with Jake Retzlaff leading the way at QB.
Ole Miss lost their starting quarterback early, but Trinidad Chambliss, a transfer from Ferris State, stepped in and kept them rolling. Their only stumble was a close one against Georgia.
Player to Watch
Tulane: Jake Retzlaff. He can beat you with his legs or his arm, and if he gets rolling, Tulane’s offense is tough to contain.
Ole Miss: Trinidad Chambliss. He’s been a revelation. Not flashy, but he just keeps making plays and finding ways to win.
Biggest Question
Tulane: Can they finally put it all together? They’ve shown flashes, but the consistency just hasn’t always been there.
Ole Miss: Does Chambliss have another big game in him? He’s been the heartbeat of this team, and they’ll need him at his best.
They Can Win If…
Tulane: Tulane has a shot if everything falls into place at once. It’s going to take everyone on the roster showing up—no passengers allowed if they’re hoping for an upset.
Ole Miss: Ole Miss needs to keep their offense humming. If Chambliss gets rolling with both his arm and legs, and they dictate the pace, they’ll be tough to stop.
Curious about player stats or how these squads really stack up? Check out ESPN’s full article for a deeper dive.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
