CFP Saturday Is Here: Predictions and Season Backstories for Today’s Playoff Games

College Football Playoff weekend is here, and today’s slate delivers three compelling first-round games with plenty on the line. After Friday’s opener — where No. 9 Alabama beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34–24 — the spotlight shifts to Saturday’s trio of matchups that will send winners into New Year’s quarterfinals.

We break down each game, give background on how these teams earned their CFP berths, and make predictions on who advances.

🔥 Game 1 — No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami

📍 Kyle Field — 12:00 p.m. ET — ABC/ESPN

Season Storylines

Texas A&M Aggies (No. 7)Texas A&M made its first CFP appearance this season thanks to an 11–1 record, highlighted by an impressive run that included signature wins over Notre Dame, LSU, and Florida. Their only setback came in a bitter rivalry loss to Texas in their final game, but otherwise they dominated most opponents with a balanced attack on offense and stout defense.

Miami Hurricanes (No. 10)Miami punched its CFP ticket with a 10–2 regular season, grabbing a critical season-opening win over Notre Dame that helped tilt the rankings in their favor. Though they had some middle-season struggles, the Canes finished strong with a series of blowout wins late in November and early December.

Prediction

This one feels like a classic conference strength vs. momentum matchup:

🔹 Texas A&M advantage: Home field, SEC grind, top-tier defense🔹 Miami wild card: Explosive offense, physical QB play, head-to-head pedigree

Prediction: Texas A&M pulls it out — 28–24Aggies’ balanced attack and home crowd edge isolate Miami just enough to keep the Canes from advancing. If Miami’s defense can stop the run, this could flip — but momentum still favors A&M.

🏈 Game 2 — No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane

📍 Oxford, Mississippi — 3:30 p.m. ET — TNT/TruTV/HBO Max

Season Storylines

Ole Miss Rebels (No. 6)Ole Miss is enjoying its best season in program history as it clinched its first CFP berth with an 11–1 regular-season mark in a loaded SEC. Head coach Pete Golding steadied the ship after Lane Kiffin’s departure, and an offense that thrives on big plays and a stingy defense has put the Rebels in position to make noise.

Tulane Green Wave (No. 11)Tulane earned its spot by winning the AAC and finishing with a strong résumé. They bring a fast, efficient offense that has beaten Power 5 teams and an opportunistic defense that can generate turnovers. However, this is a major underdog spot on the road in a hostile environment.

Prediction

Ole Miss has the firepower and home-field edge:

Prediction: Ole Miss wins — 38–20The Rebels’ physicality and explosive skill players should be too much for Tulane once Ole Miss builds an early lead.

🌲 Game 3 — No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison

📍 Autzen Stadium — 7:30 p.m. ET — TNT/TruTV/HBO Max

Season Storylines

Oregon Ducks (No. 5)Oregon enters its third CFP with an 11–1 record and a high-octane offense that puts up points in bunches. The Ducks’ only loss was to top-seeded Indiana, and this year they balanced explosive scoring with improved defensive discipline. The Autzen crowd and top-tier quarterback play make them a dangerous first-round host.

James Madison Dukes (No. 12)James Madison has become the feel-good story of the season, earning the CFP’s first berth for a Sun Belt team with a 12–1 campaign. They head into Eugene riding confidence and history — this is the Sun Belt school’s first CFP appearance — and they match Oregon in spirit if not in traditional power status.

Prediction

This is the classic power conference powerhouse vs. fearless underdog game:

Prediction: Oregon wins — 35–27James Madison won’t go quietly, but the Ducks’ speed and depth should wear down the visitors in the second half.

🏁 What Today Means in the Bigger Picture

Today’s winners advance to the quarterfinal round on December 31 and January 1, where they’ll face top seeds that earned first-round byes — including No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 Texas Tech. By January 19, the CFP field will be down to two teams gearing up for a national title at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Across these first-round games, the themes are familiar in college football:

• Power vs. Poise

• Home-field advantage

• Underdogs with historical momentum

No matter how today’s games unfold, we’re set for a dramatic journey toward January.

Saturday’s CFP slate is a perfect mix of established power and rising contenders. Texas A&M’s first CFP bid, Ole Miss’s milestone season, and James Madison’s historic run give the playoff weekend real narrative weight — and set the stage for thrilling football across the postseason.