CFP First Round Recap: Alabama's Comeback, Miami's Defensive Masterclass, and Oregon's Explosion

Previews · by Rick's Picks Editorial Team

The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff first round exceeded every expectation. Four games, four distinct storylines, and a quarterfinal bracket that promises even more drama.

Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24 -- The Comeback

Alabama trailed by 17 points and looked dead in the water. Then the Crimson Tide did what championship programs do -- they responded. Alabama became the first team in the 12-team era to win a playoff game on the road, storming back with 27 unanswered points to stun Oklahoma.

Our model had this game as essentially a pick'em, and the result validated that assessment. Alabama's second-half adjustments were the difference -- they switched to a more aggressive defensive scheme and their pass rush overwhelmed Oklahoma's offensive line.

Miami 10, Texas A&M 3 -- Defense Wins

In the lowest-scoring playoff game in CFP history, Miami's defense was suffocating. The Hurricanes forced a turnover in the final minute to seal a 10-3 victory over Texas A&M. This was the game our model was least confident about -- defensive slugfests are inherently unpredictable -- but Miami's defensive metrics had graded out as elite in high-pressure situations all season.

Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10 -- Statement Made

Ole Miss made quick work of Tulane, scoring early and often in a 41-10 rout. The Green Wave's fairy tale season ended decisively, but making the playoff was an achievement in itself. Lane Kiffin's offensive game plan was among his best, exploiting Tulane's secondary with deep shots from the opening drive.

Oregon 51, James Madison 34 -- Shootout

Oregon's offense exploded for 51 points against James Madison in a game that was more competitive than the final score suggests. JMU hung tough for three quarters before Oregon's superior depth took over in the fourth. The Dukes scored 34 points in a playoff game -- a testament to the quality of Group of 5 football.

Quarterfinal Preview

The quarterfinals set up four fascinating matchups: - Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs No. 9 Alabama - Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs No. 10 Miami - Orange Bowl: No. 5 Oregon vs No. 4 Texas Tech - Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs No. 6 Ole Miss

Our early model projections favor Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, and Georgia to advance, but the playoff is where models meet matchups, and anything can happen in a single-elimination format.

All analysis is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

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