SAN ANGELO, TX — After an action-packed opening round of the College Football Playoff, the quarterfinals are officially set— kicking off on New Year's Eve at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington with the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes facing off with the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. Here is the full schedule for New Year's weekend:
Wednesday, Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve
- Cotton Bowl - No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
- Orange Bowl - No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon - 11 a.m.
- Rose Bowl - No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama - 3 p.m.
- Sugar Bowl - No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss - 6:30 p.m.
Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia and Texas Tech watched the opening rounds from the team's respective couches last weekend. Meanwhile, Alabama overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Oklahoma Sooners 34-24, and Miami won a defensive slugfest to take down Texas A&M 10-3. In the Group of 5 matchups, Ole Miss stomped Tulane, 41-10, and Oregon crushed James Madison, 51-34.
Texas Tech Football
(Credit: texastech.com)
Out of all the upcoming matchups, football fans in Texas should look forward to a great game between Oregon and Texas Tech. Oregon currently stands as a 1.5-point favorite in the matchup that Vegas expects to be close. Oregon's strength resides in running the football. The Ducks want to establish line of scrimmage control early, but will run into trouble against the nation's top rush defense. The Red Raiders are excellent at stopping the run and creating turnovers.
Alabama Football
(Credit: x.com/AlabamaFTBL)
The second-most anticipated game has to be No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama. After the controversial decision to put the three-loss Crimson Tide into the playoff over schools like two-loss Notre Dame and two-loss BYU, Alabama responded by overcoming a 17-point deficit in Norman to down the Oklahoma Sooners. Indiana comes off a huge win in the Big 10 Championship against Ohio State and looks to continue their winning ways.
Georgia Football
(Credit: x.com/UGAfootball)
While No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss looks like a match made in heaven, the departure of Lane Kiffin certainly sours the country's interest in the Rebels. Kirby Smart has the Bulldogs playing their best football this season. Georgia beat down Alabama in the SEC Championship game and might be the most dangerous team in the playoffs.
Ohio State Football
(Credit: x.com/OhioStAthletics)
The final matchup on this list, and first to be played, is No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami. The Hurricanes come off an upset win at Kyle Field against the Aggies, winning the defensive battle in the final moments with an interception in the end zone. Last time out, Ohio State lost the defensive slugfest to Indiana in the Big 10 Championship game, marking the Buckeyes' first loss of the season. The former No. 1 team in the nation will be hungry to avenge that loss later and should handle Miami.
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