The College Football Playoff semifinals have ushered in a new era, with Indiana, Oregon, Miami, and Ole Miss breaking the stranglehold of traditional powers. For the first time since the CFP began in 2014, the final four does not include Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, or Clemson, highlighting a significant shift towards programs with little or no championship history.
Indiana, the top seed, secured its spot by dominating Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers, seeking their first national title, have transformed from a basketball school into a football powerhouse, with this season marking their first double-digit win streak and Big Ten championship game victory. Their semifinal matchup is a rematch against Oregon, whom they defeated earlier in the season.
Oregon advanced with a stunning 23-0 shutout of Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl, showcasing a formidable defense that forced four turnovers. The Ducks, who have never won a national championship despite past appearances in title games, are led by a defense that held one of the nation’s top offenses scoreless. This sets up a highly anticipated Peach Bowl clash with Indiana.
Miami, the No. 10 seed, pulled off a major upset by shutting down reigning champion Ohio State 24-10 in the Cotton Bowl. The Hurricanes’ defense was instrumental, limiting the Buckeyes to minimal rushing yards and scoring a pick-six. Miami, with its last national title in 2001, is making its CFP debut and has quickly become a Cinderella story, facing Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ole Miss earned its semifinal berth with a thrilling 39-34 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, thanks to quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’s late-game heroics. The Rebels, whose only national championship dates back to 1960, have overcome coaching changes and now stand on the brink of history. Chambliss’s performance against the SEC champions has been a highlight of their playoff run.
The semifinals are scheduled for January 8-9, 2026, with Miami vs. Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and Indiana vs. Oregon in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The winners will advance to the national championship game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
This unprecedented lineup underscores the impact of playoff expansion, which aimed to diversify the field and introduce more competition. The absence of blue-blood programs has energized fans and analysts alike, suggesting a potential lasting change in college football dynamics.
As these new bloods prepare for their semifinal battles, the spotlight is on whether they can capitalize on this opportunity and cement their places in college football lore. The outcome will not only crown a first-time or long-awaited champion but could redefine the sport’s hierarchy for years to come.
