The College Football Playoffs are finally underway this weekend, as some of the top teams in the country do battle for a shot for a national title. With three teams in the playoff, the Big Ten is well
represented, but two of those three teams sit on a bye week as the top two programs in the country. One, the Oregon Ducks, play on Saturday against James Madison.
Here’s how you can watch that game and the other four that take place this weekend.
No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs No. 12 James Madison Dukes
- Day: Saturday, Dec. 20 2025
- TV: TNT
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Eugene, OR
- Weather: 49 degrees, partly cloudy
- Odds: ORE -21, O/U: 47.5
This game will wrap up the first-round slate, and Vegas really likes a landslide victory for the Ducks.
Bob Chesney, JMU’s head coach, is prepping to leave after this run to coach UCLA and has a foot out of the door already. While the Dukes cruised through Sun Belt play to an 11-1 record, they lost at Louisville, their only Power 4 opponent, by two touchdowns back in Week 2. Many are counting them out of this game, but they boasted both a top-10 offense and defense in the country.
Oregon should win this game, but if it sneaks back to 21.5 points again like it has a few times over the last few days, I’ll likely take the Dukes and the points.
The play: JMU +21 (-110)
No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels vs No. 11 Tulane Green Wave
- Day: Saturday, Dec. 20 2025
- TV: TNT
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Oxford, MS
- Weather: 65 degrees, partly cloudy
- Odds: MISS -17.5, O/U: 56.5
Another playoff game, another two programs who are playing with head coaching chaos. Lane Kiffin’s ugly exit with Ole Miss has already happened, while Tulane’s Jon Sumrall will head to Florida once this CFP run is over.
The Green Wave lost two games this season, including a blowout at Ole Miss in Week 4. This one goes similarly, even without Kiffin, as the Rebels are clearly the much better team.
The play: Ole Miss -17.5 (-110)
No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies vs No. 10 Miami Hurricanes
- Day: Saturday, Dec. 20 2025
- TV: ESPN/ABC
- Time: Noon ET
- Location: College Station, TX
- Weather: 67 degrees, partly cloudy
- Odds: A&M -3, O/U: 48.5
Mike Elko’s Aggies were perfect through their first 11 games, but a loss at Texas in the final game of the season has brought up some questions for this team.
There is a common opponent for these two teams — Notre Dame, a team considered snubbed despite a 10-2 record. Both squads won late over the Irish by a field goal or less. Despite missing the ACC Championship, Miami was playing its best football in the final four weeks. If I was playing a side, it would likely be the Hurricanes. I think this is the best game of the weekend and I expect a shootout despite the total shrinking from 52.5 at open to 48.5. Give me the over.
The play: o48.5 (-105)
No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide vs No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners
- Day: Friday, Dec. 19 2025
- TV: ABC
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Norman, OK
- Weather: 52 degrees, cloudy
- Odds: OU -1.5, O/U: 40.5
The first game of the CFP is a rematch, as Oklahoma went to Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama, 23-20, earlier this season. Oklahoma was without star edge R Mason Thomas in that game, and quarterback John Mateer was battling an injury. This time around, there are some rumblings that Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson may not be fully healthy. It’s going to be a fascinating game, but I think the Crimson Tide are the better team and that they win this game.
The play: Bama ML (-105)
Overall record: 31-32 (-2.18 units)
