College Football Playoff Quarterfinals

What a story Texas Tech has written this season. The Red Raiders weren't even on anyone's radar heading into the year, but Joey McGuire has built something special in Lubbock. Their 11-2 record includes wins over Oklahoma, Texas, and TCU - a gauntlet of Big 12 competition that proved they belong on this stage. Behren Morton has emerged as a legitimate star at quarterback, throwing for 3,847 yards with 31 touchdowns.

Oregon's been the most complete team in the Pac-12 for years now, and this season is no different. Dan Lanning's squad is 12-1 and rolling on both sides of the ball. Their defense allows just 16.8 points per game, and their offense averages over 38 points behind a dynamic rushing attack. Bo Nix's replacement at quarterback has been seamless - the Ducks just reload, they don't rebuild.

The 6.5-point spread respects Texas Tech's firepower, but Oregon's defensive line is going to be a major problem. The Ducks get pressure without blitzing, which will disrupt Morton's timing. Tech's secondary has been vulnerable to explosive plays all season, and Oregon has the athletes to exploit those breakdowns. Expect a competitive first half before Oregon pulls away in the fourth quarter. Ducks win 35-24.

This is a matchup nobody saw coming three years ago. Indiana - yes, Indiana - is the number one seed in the College Football Playoff with a perfect 13-0 record. Curt Cignetti has orchestrated one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history, transforming a perennial Big Ten doormat into a national championship contender. Their defense has been suffocating all season, allowing just 12.4 points per game.

But now they face Alabama, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The Crimson Tide are 10-3, which by their standards is a disappointment, but this team has grown throughout the season. Kalen DeBoer's offense has found its rhythm, and their experience in big games is unmatched. Alabama's players have been in this exact situation before - the Hoosiers have not.

Here's the thing - Indiana's schedule, while undefeated, didn't include many elite opponents. Alabama's defensive front will be the best unit they've faced all season by a wide margin. The Rose Bowl setting in Pasadena is magical, but pressure is real. Cignetti's squad needs to prove they belong against a blue blood program that's been here countless times. Alabama's depth and experience give them the edge in a close one. Tide wins 28-24, but Indiana covers.

The SEC Championship rematch nobody asked for but everyone wanted. Georgia handled Ole Miss 31-17 in Atlanta just a few weeks ago, but the Rebels have been stewing ever since. Lane Kiffin knows exactly what went wrong in that game - too many turnovers, too many mental mistakes - and you can bet he's spent every waking moment scheming for revenge. Jaxson Dart has been phenomenal all season with 4,213 passing yards and 38 touchdowns.

Georgia remains Georgia. Kirby Smart has built a machine that just churns out wins, and their 12-1 record includes dominant victories over Clemson, Texas, and Ole Miss. Their defense is elite (18.2 points per game allowed), their offensive line is massive, and their quarterback situation has stabilized. Carson Beck has been efficient if not spectacular, and that's all they need with this defense.

The 7-point spread feels slightly inflated given the rivalry dynamics and Kiffin's tendency to save his best plays for rematches. Ole Miss will come out firing, and the Superdome crowd will be split. But Georgia's defensive front is too physical for Ole Miss's offensive line, and Beck will manage the game intelligently. Expect a closer contest than the regular season meeting - something like Georgia 28, Ole Miss 24. Take the Rebels with the points.