At a Glance
- Miami Hurricanes topple No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in Cotton Bowl.
- Oregon Ducks shut out No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders 23-0 in Orange Bowl.
- Indiana Hoosiers defeat No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide 38-3 in Rose Bowl.
- Why it matters: The three wins lock the Miami Hurricanes, Oregon Ducks, and Indiana Hoosiers into CFP semifinals, setting up matchups for the national championship.
Quarterfinals of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff have delivered shockers and dominance, leaving Miami Hurricanes, Oregon Ducks, and Indiana Hoosiers as the only teams that earned a berth in the semifinals. The Cotton, Orange, and Rose Bowls concluded on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and the stage is now set for the January 8-9 showdown.
Quarterfinal Showdowns
In the Cotton Bowl, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes used a stout defense to stifle the reigning champion No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, shutting them out in the first half and holding them to just 45 rushing yards. Miami’s 24-14 victory was the most scored against Ohio State this season, surpassing the previous high of 16.
The Orange Bowl saw the No. 5 Oregon Ducks demolish the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders, forcing four turnovers and stopping three fourth-down attempts. Oregon’s 23-0 victory was the first shut-out of Texas Tech’s second-ranked scoring offense in CFP history.
Indiana’s 38-3 win over No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl was a statement victory, with Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza throwing three touchdowns and the defense limiting the Crimson Tide to 193 yards.
Semifinal Matchups
The semifinals will take place in the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, respectively, with the winners of the quarterfinals facing off for a chance to play in the national championship.
| Game | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta Bowl | Jan. 8 | 7:30 p.m. ET | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
| Peach Bowl | Jan. 9 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Miami will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl between No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels, while Oregon will play the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, who kept their perfect-season bid alive in a dominant Rose Bowl win.
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s upset of Ohio State sets up a Fiesta Bowl clash with a top-seeded opponent.
- Oregon’s shut-out of Texas Tech earns them a Peach Bowl berth against Indiana.
- Indiana’s 38-3 victory over Alabama preserves a perfect season and a spot in the national title game.
With the semifinals just days away, fans can already anticipate the high-stakes matchups that will determine the 2026 national champion, slated for Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
By Ethan R. Coleman | News Of Los Angeles
