At a Glance
- Indiana finished 13-0 as the top seed.
- Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech each finished 12-1.
- Quarterfinals: Indiana vs. Alabama, Ohio State vs. Miami, Georgia vs. Ole Miss, Texas Tech vs. Oregon.
- Why it matters: Each team is determined to prove that last year’s top-seed exits were a fluke.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are almost here, and the four top seeds-Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech-are focused on proving that the previous year’s early exits were a fluke. They have spent the past weeks sharpening their playbooks, conditioning, and confidence in preparation for the high-stakes matchups.
Quarterfinal Matchups
The four games are set:
- Indiana will face Alabama in the Rose Bowl after Alabama’s 34-24 win over Oklahoma.
- Ohio State meets Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
- Georgia plays Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
- Texas Tech squares off with Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | 13-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 12-1 |
| 3 | Georgia | 12-1 |
| 4 | Texas Tech | 12-1 |
Coaching Dynamics
Ryan Day stepped back from play-calling duties for Ohio State, taking the role back from new South Florida coach Brian Hartline. Meanwhile, Kalen DeBoer, a former Indiana assistant, praised coach Curt Cignetti for building the program so quickly.
Ryan Day said:
> “There’s not a game that’s gone by where I’m not involved or listening to every call and making sure it’s what we’ve agreed upon going in (to the game),” Day said, explaining why he’s taking over the play-calling from new South Florida coach Brian Hartline. “So, it’s similar to the way it was before.”
Kalen DeBoer added:
> “We understand we’ve got a great football team with Indiana.”
Player Highlights
Indiana‘s returning core-linebacker Aiden Fisher, defensive end Mikail Kamara, receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr.-remain key threats, while freshman quarterback Fernando Mendoza and center Pat Coogan have already embraced the program’s mission.
Aiden Fisher said:
> “For us, it’s not really three weeks of being off, it’s more so about getting better at what you do right now.”
Preparation and Mindset
Coach Curt Cignetti emphasized the value of the bye weeks, stating, “Until we knew the opponent, we treated it like two bye weeks. Now we have almost two weeks to prepare for the opponent.”
Fernando Mendoza added:
> “I believe we’ve earned these bye weeks. I think it’s a great honor to have a bye week, and we still have great momentum going into the playoff. I think it’s a great opportunity to rest our bodies and stay sharp on our fundamentals.”
Key Takeaways
- The top seeds are determined to prove last year’s early exits were a fluke.
- Coaching changes have shifted play-calling responsibilities for Ohio State.
- Players like Fernando Mendoza and Aiden Fisher are focused on maintaining momentum and readiness.
The playoffs will test each team’s preparation, but the top seeds are eager to show they’re ready for the biggest games of the season.
