For at least one more round, Miami gets to see its national championship dreams live on.

Behind 172 rushing yards from Mark Fletcher, the Hurricanes defeated the Aggies 10-3 on Saturday, Dec. 20 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas in the first round of the College Football Playoff, sending No. 10 Miami to the quarterfinals.

The game was a defensive slugfest for much of the afternoon, with four missed field goals between the teams before Malachi Toney’s 11-yard touchdown catch with 1:49 remaining breaking the tie. The playoff victory was the first in Miami history.

What awaits Miami after its triumph? What team stands in its way to the semifinals?

Here’s a quick look at what you need to know for who the Hurricanes play next in the College Football Playoff:

Who does Miami football play next in CFP?

After its first-round win, Miami will now face No. 2 seed Ohio State in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes are the reigning national champions and look to have a team capable of replicating the feat this season, going 12-1 in the regular season. Their lone loss was a 13-10 setback to No. 1 Indiana in the Big Ten championship game. Coach Ryan Day’s team had won each its previous 11 games by at least 18 points.

Ohio State is one of the most complete teams in the country, with an explosive offense and a stifling defense. Quarterback Julian Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist, threw for 3,323 yards and completed an FBS-leading 78.4% of his passes while throwing to arguably the most talented duo of receivers in the country in Jeremiah Smith (1,086 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Carnell Tate (838 yards, nine touchdowns). The Buckeyes’ defense, meanwhile, has been superb under first-year coordinator Matt Patricia, allowing only 8.2 points per game, the best mark among FBS teams.

Ohio State football: What to know on Buckeyes vs Miami in CFP quarterfinals

Here are three things to know about Ohio State:

Stat leaders:

Leading passer: QB Julian Sayin, 3,323 yards with 31 touchdowns and six interceptions, 78.4% completion percentage
Leading rusher: RB Bo Jackson, 1,035 rushing yards, 6.2 yards per carry, five rushing touchdowns
Leading receiver: WR Jeremiah Smith, 1,086 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns on 80 receptions
Top defenders: S Caleb Downs, 60 total tackles, two interceptions, one sack and one pass break-up; LB Sonny Styles, 81 tackles, one interception, 0.5 sacks; LB Arvell Reese, 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks; DE Caden Curry, 60 tackles, 11 sacks

How they got here:

Schedule: 12-1 overall, 9-0 in Big Ten regular-season play
Big wins: vs. Texas, at Illinois, at Michigan, vs. Penn State and at Washington

Playoff history:

Have they been here before? Yes. The Buckeyes have been a playoff mainstay ever since the four-team model debuted during the 2014 season. Ohio State is making its seventh playoff appearance in 12 years, which included national championships in the 2014 and 2024 seasons.

Ohio State vs Miami in CFP quarterfinals time, date, schedule

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming option: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

Ohio State and Miami will meet in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. ESPN will broadcast the game. Streaming options include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Jake Paul had a bad night on Friday after being pummeled by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who scored a sixth-round knockout over the YouTuber turned boxer.

Paul said he sustained a ‘double broken jaw’ and posted an X-ray on Instagram that showed the two places where the break happened.

Paul certainly kept his sense of humor after being knocked down four times and being outclassed in every way as the nearly 30-pound weight difference (and the obvious mismatch of boxing skills) came into play.

‘Double broken jaw,’ Paul wrote on Instagram. ‘Give me Canelo in 10 days.’

In what looked like a hospital room, Paul also posted an update on his health, ‘thanks for all the support I’m OK.’

Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian said Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) drove himself to the hospital after the fight.

‘We think he broke his jaw. But he’s fine. He took a shower, he drove himself to hospital,’ Bidarian said. ‘A broken jaw is very common in sports, particularly in boxing or MMA. The recovery time is four to six weeks.’

Paul planned to take a break from boxing, saying he had been going hard for six years.

‘Man that was good. Nice little a—-whopping from one of the best to ever do it. I love this s— and I’m going to come back and get a world championship belt,’ he said.

‘We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight. I’m going for the cruiserweight world title.’

Toney scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:44 left in the game on an 11-yard pitch pass from quarterback Carson Beck. It was the lone touchdown of the game and came after Toney lost a fumble earlier in the quarter.

Bryce Fitzgerald clinched the win for the Hurricanes with an interception on a throw from Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed in the end zone in the closing seconds. It was Fitzgerald’s second interception of the game.

Stream Texas A&M football vs. Miami live on Fubo (free trial)

Miami running back March Fletcher Jr. set up the game-winning score for the Hurricanes after breaking out for a 56-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Fletcher finished with 17 rushes for a career-high 172 yards.

Overall, Miami’s defense forced three turnovers ― two interceptions and a fumble recovery ― as the Aggies struggled to move the ball all game. The Hurricanes limited the Aggies to 326 total yards, with 70 of them coming on the final drive.

Miami kicker Carter Davis got the first score of the game on a field goal in the third quarter. He missed three total field goals in the game, but Texas A&M’s kicker Jared Zirkel missed a kick as well as the wind was an issue for both teams.

The Hurricanes will face No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal game. Miami is seeking its first national championship since 2001.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates from the first-round College Football Playoff game between Texas A&M and Miami. Catch up here:

Texas A&M vs Miami score

Texas A&M vs Miami highlights

Texas A&M-Miami CFP live score: Hurricanes 10, Aggies 3 (Final)

Texas A&M-Miami final stats

Bryce Fitzgerald picks off Marcel Reed in the end zone

Bryce Fitzgerald has his second interception of the game, and this one seals the game as he picks off a pass from Marcel Reed in the end zone.

That should do it, as Miami will kneel out the clock to clinch the win and advance to the quarterfinal.

Malachi Toney scores touchdown to give Miami late lead

Malachi Toney takes a pop pass from Carson Beck and runs it in from 11 yards out to give Miami a 10-3 lead with 1:44 left in the game. That’s a massive makeup play for Toney, who lost a fumble earlier.

The scoring drive is six plays for 86 yards and takes 2:18 off the game clock. Texas A&M is out of timeouts for its final drive, needing a score.

Mark Fletcher gets Miami in field goal range with 56-yard run

Mark Fletcher broke through for a 56-yard run on the first play of the Miami drive and got all the way to the Texas A&M 30-yard line. Two plays later, he broke out for a 12-yard run to get the Hurricanes to the Aggies’ 16-yard line.

At the two-minute timeout, Texas A&M has two timeouts and Miami will likely try to take as much time off the clock as possible.

Malachi Toney fumbles ball away after catch

Following a first-down grab, Malachi Toney is casual with the football and loses a fumble. Daymion Sanford recovers the fumble that was forced by Dalton Brooks.

Texas A&M will have a chance to take the lead late.

Randy Bond ties game with field goal

Randy Bond goes down right the middle with a 35-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 with 8:03 left in the game. The Aggies really needed that score, capping off a 16-play, 67-yard drive that took 7:30 off the game clock.

End of third quarter: Miami 3, Texas A&M 0

Miami will enter the fourth quarter holding a 3-0 lead over Texas A&M. The Hurricanes took the lead on a 21-yard field goal from Carter Davis. Davis also missed a 35-yard field goal in the quarter.

Texas A&M had 14 total yards in the third quarter. The Aggies’ third quarter ended on a Rueben Bain sack of Marcel Reed.

Carter Davis misses third field goal of game

Carter Davis misses his third field goal of the game, with his 35-yard field goal going off the left upright. Miami squanders another opportunity to add points to the board. The Hurricanes lead 3-0 with 7:13 left in the third quarter.

Bryce Fitzgerald intercepts Marcel Reed pass

Bryce Fitzgerald intercepts a high pass from Marcel Reed and returns it 36 yards to the Texas A&M 20-yard line. Miami has a chance to extend its lead midway through the third quarter.

Carter Davis hits field goal to open scoring

We have points. Carter Davis hits a 21-yard field goal to give Miami a 3-0 lead with 10:34 left in the third quarter.

Miami’s scoring drive is nine plays for 72 yards and takes 4:26 off the game clock. The Hurricanes had five plays of over 10 yards on the drive.

Miami will open on offense to start second half

After deferring possession in the first half after winning the coin toss, Miami will open the second half with the ball on offense.

Halftime: Texas A&M 0, Miami 0

Texas A&M-Miami halftime stats

Carter Davis misses second field goal of game

Carter Davis’ 40-yard field goal attempt before halftime sails wide right and the game will be scoreless at halftime.

Texas A&M fake punt attempt fails

Texas A&M attempts a fake punt from its own 46-yard line right after the two-minute timeout. Punter Tyler Smith’s pass is not a bad one, but it is well defended and the Aggies turn the ball over on downs.

Miami will take over from the Texas A&M 46-yard line.

Carter Davis misses Miami field goal

Following Malachi Toney’s massive punt return, Miami’s offense cannot generate anything and has to settle for a 47-yard field goal. However, Carter Davis’ kick misses wide right and the score remains 0-0 with 3:30 left in the first half.

Malachi Toney massive punt return

With both teams struggling to put any points on the board so far, Malachi Toney returns a punt 55 yards to the Texas A&M 25-yard line to give Miami its first major scoring opportunity. It’s the Hurricanes’ first time in Aggies’ territory.

Rueben Bain blocks Texas A&M field goal

Rueben Bain Jr. blocks a 22-yard field goal attempt by Texas A&M kicker Jared Zirkel and another Texas A&M scoring opportunity is thwarted. The Aggies were set up for a scoring opportunity inside the Miami red zone by a 59-yard completion from Marcel Reed to Mario Craver on the first play of the drive.

End of first quarter: Texas A&M 0, Miami 0

We’re scoreless through one quarter in the CFP first-round matchup between Texas A&M and Miami. The Aggies have twice gotten the ball into Miami territory, but have punted and lost a fumble.

Keionte Scott forces Marcel Reed fumble

With Texas A&M driving again, Keionte Scott gets to Marcel Reed as he is scrambling backwards for a 3-yard loss, but more importantly, Scott knocks the ball loose from Reed with Armondo Blount recovering the fumble.

Miami punts on first possession

Miami gets one first down, but is forced to punt from its own 23-yard line following an incomplete pass from Carson Beck on third down.

Texas A&M will begin its second drive from its own 38-yard line following a 39-yard punt from Hurricanes’ punter Dylan Joyce.

Texas A&M opening drive ends in a punt

Texas A&M has a long opening first drive, but it comes up empty as the Aggies punt facing a fourth-and-11 from the Miami 43-yard line. A false start on fourth-and-6 forced them into a punting situation instead of going for it.

The Aggies ran 12 plays on their opening drive. Miami will open its first drive from its own 8-yard line.

Texas A&M will open CFP first round on offense

Miami wins the opening coin toss and defers to the second half. Texas A&M will receive and open on offense. The Hurricanes will defend the south goal.

Pregame

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ picks Texas A&M-Miami winner

Here’s a look at who the ESPN ‘College GameDay’ crew picked to win the first-round game between Texas A&M and Miami. Alex Caruso joined the crew as the celebrity guest picker. He replaced original picker Johnny Manziel.

Desmond Howard: Miami
Nick Saban: Miami
Pat McAfee: Texas A&M
Kirk Herbstreit: Texas A&M
Alex Caruso (guest picker): Texas A&M

Nick Saban calls College Station ‘hardest place to play in SEC’

Nick Saban knows a thing or two about playing at Kyle Field in College Station. The former Alabama coach went 5-1 in six games facing off against the 12th man.

Previewing Saturday, Dec. 20’s CFP first round matchup between Miami and Texas A&M at Kyle Field, Saban called Texas A&M ‘the hardest place to play in the SEC.’

Texas A&M-Miami football history

Miami is 3-2 all-time against Texas A&M. Most recently, the teams played a home-and-home in 2022 and 2023. The Aggies won 17-9 in 2022 in College Station, Texas, while the Hurricanes earned a 48-33 win in Miami Gardens in 2023.

Sept. 9, 2023 (Miami Gardens, Fla): Miami 48, Texas A&M 33
Sept. 17, 2022 (College Station, TX): Texas A&M 17, Miami 9
Sept. 20, 2008 (College Station, TX): Miami 41, Texas A&M 23
Sept. 20, 2007 (Miami): Miami 34, Texas A&M 17
Dec. 8, 1944 (Miami): Texas A&M 70, Miami 14

Marcel Reed stats

Marcel Reed seemed to be a Heisman Trophy contender for much of the 2025 college football season. That played a huge role in helping the Aggies finish 11-1 and earn a CFP berth.

Here’s a look at Reed’s stats during his three years with Texas A&M:

2023: 21-of-36 passing (58.3%) for 374 yards, one touchdown and one interception; 13 rushes for 45 yards and one touchdown
2024: 147-of-240 passing (61.3%) for 1,864 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions; 116 rushes for 547 yards and seven touchdowns
2025: 209-of-338 passing (61.8%) for 2,932 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 89 rushes for 466 yards and six touchdowns

Carson Beck stats

Carson Beck earns the start against Texas A&M for the first-round of the CFP. How Beck performs against a tough Texas A&M defense could determine if the Hurricanes can pull off the road upset in College Station.

Here’s a look at Beck’s stats in his five collegiate seasons, including his first season with Miami:

2021 (Georgia): 10-of-23 passing (43.5%) for 176 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions
2022 (Georgia): 26-of-35 passing (74.3%) for 310 yards and four touchdowns
2023 (Georgia): 302-of-417 passing (72.4%) for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions
2024 (Georgia): 290-of-448 passing (64.7%) for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions
2025 (Miami): 263-of-352 passing (74.7%) for 3,072 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions

Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami?

Miami is likely not in a position to play in the first round of the CFP if not for the addition of quarterback Carson Beck in the transfer portal.

USA TODAY Network writer John Leuzzi explains why Beck chose to transfer to the Hurricanes, leaving behind Georgia, another CFP team.

What TV channel is Texas A&M vs Miami on today?

TV channel: ABC | ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

Texas A&M-Miami will air live on ABC and ESPN, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (analyst) on the call for the game, along with sideline reporters Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor.

Streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial.

Texas A&M vs Miami time today

Time: Noon ET | 11 a.m. CT
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Location: Kyle Field (College Station, Texas)

The CFP first-round game between the Aggies and Hurricanes is set for a noon ET kickoff (11 a.m. CT) on Saturday, Dec. 20, from Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M vs Miami predictions

Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Sports: Texas A&M 24, Miami 20

Marcel Reed and the Aggies’ offense can make a couple more plays than Carson Beck and the Hurricanes, as Texas A&M earns the win in a defensive battle. The game will come down to the final quarter, with the Aggies making a last-minute stop to prevent the Miami victory.

Here’s who experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network picked to win Texas A&M-Miami in the CFP:

Matt Hayes: Texas A&M
Jordan Mendoza: Miami
Paul Meyerberg: Miami
Erick Smith: Texas A&M
Eddie Timanus: Texas A&M
Blake Toppmeyer: Miami
Craig Meyer: Miami

This year has been a wild one for the Dallas Cowboys – from their breakup with former coach Mike McCarthy in January, to the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as his replacement, to the trades for George Pickens and, later, Quinnen Williams and the infamous divorce from Micah Parsons. On the field, they’ve shown highly promising flashes and, alternately, extremely disappointing stretches – the net effect being a team that’s consistently hovered around .500 and enters Week 16 with a 6-7-1 record.

Week 16 could also mark the end of Dallas’ postseason viability. Here’s what’s at stake for the Cowboys this weekend and, potentially, for the remainder of the 2025 regular season:

Can the Cowboys be eliminated in Week 16?

Yep, and that outcome can occur with two basic results … and a remote one:

Eagles beat Commanders on Saturday OR
Cowboys lose to Chargers on Sunday OR
Eagles and Cowboys both tie

Can the Cowboys still make the 2025 playoffs?

Yes … but the path couldn’t be more narrow. For Dallas to win the NFC East – ‘America’s Team’ has no wild-card path – it must:

Win its three remaining games AND Philadelphia must lose its final three games

When did Cowboys last make the playoffs?

Under McCarthy, Dallas went 12-5 in the regular season in 2021, 2022 and 2023, winning two NFC East crowns over that stretch and a wild card (2022). The Cowboys are 13-17-1 since.

When did Cowboys last reach the Super Bowl?

A franchise that’s won five Lombardi Trophies hasn’t reached Super Sunday in 30 years. The club that won Super Bowl 30 with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders is also the last one to even make the NFC championship game.

Kenny Dillingham will not be the next head coach for Michigan football.

According to reports on Saturday, Dec. 20, Dillingham had agreed to an extension with Arizona State to remain the head coach for the Sun Devils. Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, there are incentives to extend the deal up to 10 years, with Dillingham expected to average an annual salary of $7.5 million over the course of the deal.

In addition to the pay raise, Dillingham will have a staff salary pool of $11 million, which is expected to be one of the highest in the Big 12.

Dillingham, 35, has led the Sun Devils to a 22-16 record in his three seasons as the head coach. Arizona State is scheduled to play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 vs. Duke. Last season, the Sun Devils were a College Football Playoff team after winning the Big 12.

ASU posted an 11-3 record in 2024 after going 3-9 in Dillingham’s first season as the head coach in 2023. The Sun Devils went 8-4 in 2025 despite being without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt for five games this season.

Since Michigan fired Sherrone Moore for cause on Dec. 10, Dillingham’s name has been closely tied to the Wolverines’ opening. However, Dillingham’s ties to Arizona State and a financial commitment proved to be enough to help keep the ASU alum in Tempe, Arizona.

‘I love this place, I mean,’ Dillingham said on Dec. 13, before a full 30 seconds of silence as he gathered his emotions and thoughts. ‘Was that a long enough pause?

‘This place is just — it’s a special place to me.’

Kenny Dillingham age

Dillingham was born on April 28, 1990, in Phoenix. He is currently 35. Dillingham graduated from Arizona State in 2013.

Kenny Dillingham record

Dillingham has been a head coach for three seasons, with all three coming at his alma mater. Before landing his dream job, Dillingham had stops at Arizona State, Memphis, Auburn and Florida State as an assistant coach.

Here’s a look at his coaching record:

2023: 3-9, 2-7 Pac-12
2024: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12
2025: 8-4, 6-3 Big 12
Career: 22-19

After Jake Paul got knocked out by Anthony Joshua, it might be hard to imagine him linked to Muhammad Ali.

But he is.

Paul and Ali both suffered broken jaws in the boxing ring. 

A wicked right hand from Joshua broke Paul’s jaw in two places Friday night based on an X-ray that Paul posted online. The punch also knocked out Paul in the sixth round of their heavyweight fight.

In 1973, Ken Norton broke Ali’s jaw.

Ali said he lost three teeth. (He also lost the fight). Video taken after Paul got KO’d at the Kaseya Center in Miami showed several of Paul’s teeth had been knocked askew.

What comes next for Paul could be more than uncomfortable.

During an appearance on the ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ in 1973, Ali said he underwent surgery, during which his jaw was wired shut.

‘And when I woke up, I couldn’t move my teeth,’ Ali said. ‘And I got an mirror and all my teeth are wired. And I almost went crazy, just the idea I couldn’t talk.’

Not talking could prove just as difficult for Paul, who during the leadup to his fight against Joshua borrowed words from Ali. Paul said he was going to ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.’

Instead, he got stung.

While construction continues on Milan’s primary rink for Olympic hockey, countries are finishing building their 25-man rosters for the 2026 Winter Games.

Only six players have been confirmed for each country so far, and players are making their final pitches to be among the first NHLers sent to the Olympics since 2014.

The roster deadline is Dec. 31. Here are nine NHL players who could be playing their way onto their Olympic rosters by then.

Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings (Sweden)

Simon Edvinsson’s play has been elevated with Moritz Seider. Together, they have been one of the most suffocating defensive pairings in the league this season. 

The young Swede is averaging the second-most ice time on the Red Wings (only behind Seider) with 21:51 minutes as his role on the team continues to grow.

Edvinsson could be paired with fellow defensive defenseman Jonas Brodin to create a shutdown pair for Sweden’s blueline.

Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals (Canada)

Logan Thompson has been playing like he should be the front-runner in net for Canada despite a slight drop-off in December, with little competition from last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off starter, Jordan Binnington.

Thompson has 14 wins, a .925 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average in 24 games this season with the Capitals.

Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars (USA)

Jason Robertson has cooled off a little since scoring 11 goals in seven games in November. But he’s keeping his name in the conversation to be a depth forward for Team USA and had a two-goal game on Friday.

Robertson is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals with 22 and has 43 points in 36 games this season for the Stars.

Alex DeBrincat, LW, Detroit Red Wings (USA)

Alex DeBrincat is another player putting his name in the conversation about who will make the extremely competitive USA forward group.

DeBrincat leads the Red Wings with 20 goals and 39 points in 35 games and has been one of the main contributors to the team reaching first place in the Atlantic Division.

Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders (Canada)

The 2025 No. 1 pick continues to impress in his rookie season with nine goals and 23 points in 34 games played.

Schaefer is already one of the Islanders’ most important players and leads the team in ice time, averaging a whopping 24:59 in December. 

The talented rookie could take the spot of an injured Alex Pietrangelo or a struggling Colton Parayko.

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild (Sweden)

While Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark continue to struggle this season, Jesper Wallstedt has continued his strong play after his rookie-of-the-month performance in November.

Wallstedt has been a superb backup to his Swedish Wild teammate, Filip Gustavsson, with 10 wins and a league-leading four shutouts, .936 save percentage and 1.96 GAA in 13 games this season.

Tom Wilson, RW, Washington Capitals (Canada)

Even with a deep forward group this year, Tom Wilson could be playing his way to a spot on Team Canada.

The veteran forward is leading the Capitals with 17 goals and 33 points in 34 games and, like Thompson, is a big reason why the team is near the top of the Metropolitan Division.

Wilson could also give Canada a physical presence that the team desperately needs to rival Team USA’s Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks (Canada)

Before sustaining a shoulder injury last week that will keep him out until at least January, Connor Bedard was playing like one of the NHL’s best stars.

The third-year center has been one of the top scorers in the NHL with 25 assists and 44 points in only 31 games with the Blackhawks.

If he’s back in time, Bedard could have the potential to play with the very best Canadian NHLers and fit right in.

Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks (Canada)

If any player is playing their way onto their country’s Olympic roster, it’s Macklin Celebrini for Team Canada. 

The 2024 No. 1 pick has continued his insane tear this season with 12 assists and 16 points in nine games so far in December. He is third in the league in scoring with 53 points in only 35 games and is the main reason why the Sharks are in the playoff picture this year.

Celebrini shouldn’t just make this team, but he should be a massive part of it and could join fellow youngster Bedard in Canada’s top nine.

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By the end of Saturday, we will know the eight quarterfinalists in the College Football Playoff. We already know five of them, and now it’s time to learn who will be joining Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech and Alabama in a little over a week.

If you don’t remember much about the round of 12 the first time we saw this format a year ago, well, you’re not alone. All the on-campus games were quite forgettable. As neutral observers we are hopeful that will not be the case again this year, but we suspect it might be. Alabama’s win over Oklahoma on Friday night was a step in the right direction as the Crimson Tide erased a 17-0 deficit to advance to face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl.

Here’s what you need to know about today’s CFP matchups:

No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at No. 7 Texas A&M

Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC/ESPN.

Why watch: This is arguably the most intriguing of the opening-round quartet of games. Both the Aggies and Hurricanes are in the 12-team field for the first time, and both teams are here in large measure because of September victories against Notre Dame. Miami QB Carson Beck is accustomed to the big stage from his time at Georgia, though he can still make critical mistakes at inopportune moments. If he is on target, WR Malachi Toney could take advantage of an Aggies’ secondary that can be susceptible at times. A&M DE Cashius Howell will try to keep him off balance. Aggies’ QB Marcel Reed can also be streaky but has outstanding playmakers like WRs K.C. Concepcion and Mario Craver at his disposal. The Hurricanes have a disruptive force of their own in DE Rueben Bain, who often gets help from the opposite side from Akheem Mesidor.

Why it could disappoint: There are enough big-play weapons on both sides to suggest either team is capable of a comeback. If one team does pull away it will likely be because of a turnover barrage, and it could happen to either of them.

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi

Time/TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV.

Why watch: This is the second playoff pairing of teams that met in the regular season. The first encounter was not especially competitive as the Rebels romped 45-10, but the Green Wave have rolled to double-digit wins in their last four outings, including the American championship final against North Texas. Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff has five receivers with at least 23 catches, and he might need all of them to keep the ball moving against DT Will Echoles and the Ole Miss defense. Rebels’ QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy found the end zone early and often in their prior meeting with the Green Wave. The Tulane defense might again be overmatched, but S Jack Tchienchou can usually be found at the point of attack.

Why it could disappoint: We’ll be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t, but sometimes a movie shouldn’t have a sequel. If the first few drives don’t go the Green Wave’s way, there might not be much they can do.

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon

Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV.

Why watch: The Sun Belt champion Dukes have the toughest of assignments as they make their playoff debut on the opposite coast against the battle-tested Ducks. You won’t hear any complaining from JMU, however, even as a heavy underdog. JMU’s backfield tandem of QB Alonza Barnett III and RB Wayne Knight do a good job staying on schedule, enabling a 47.67% conversion rate on third down and a time of possession advantage of over eight minutes a game. But finding gaps might be more difficult this week against the likes of Ducks’ LB Bryce Boettcher. Oregon QB Dante Moore and RB Noah Whittington also know how to keep the sticks moving, but their blockers must account for Dukes’ DE Sahir West.

Why it could disappoint: This is not a rematch, of course, but see above on the importance of the opening few possessions. The Ducks would like nothing better than to have things in hand quickly.

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)

NORMAN, OK – The damn thing was over. The rout was on. 

Hell, even Michigan wouldn’t have wanted a piece of Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer after this debacle in the first round of the College Football Playoff. 

And then a remarkably beautiful thing happened in a 34-24 come-from-behind victory over Oklahoma: DeBoer finally, mercifully, forced the impatient Alabama fan base — and the rest of the college football world — to buy in. Like it or not.

‘We always say the game will come back to you if you keep working, keep fighting,’ DoBoer said. ‘Just keep chipping away.’

Which, of course, is the perfect analogy for DeBoer’s rocky ride in the most pressure-packed job in college football. How do you separate from the omnipresent Nick Saban?

Do the unthinkable in a CFP game.

Forget about 2nd-and-26. Or The Drive. Or The Gravedigger. 

None of the storied unthinkable and improbable from Saban’s 17 seasons at Alabama can match DeBoer’s Lazarus moment against Oklahoma, a strange and surreal game that changed the program’s momentum and DeBoer’s place in it.

Especially with so much riding on it. 

This wasn’t just any playoff game, another in a long line for the most dominant program in the modern era of the sport. This was a prove-it moment for DeBoer, whose first two seasons in Tuscaloosa have included any number of imperfections that Saban, in all his championship glory, would never, ever let slide. 

So when Alabama began the game with 12 yards of offense, and Oklahoma began the game with 17 points, well, the end of the DeBoer era could be seen from the vocally rabid in Houndstooth — to say nothing of those in Ann Arbor desperate for a coach.

And then it happened, a run of bizarre so surreal, it had those in this state wondering who exactly was channeling Sooner Magic? 

It’s not hyperbole to say two critical Oklahoma turnovers late in the second quarter — that Alabama didn’t force but led to 10 points and completely changed the course of the game — may go a long way in shielding DeBoer from what would’ve been a brutal offseason of second-guessing from the torturous Tide fan base. 

If Alabama gets blown out in its first CFP game under DeBoer, in the words of that great sage Tommy Castellanos, even Nick can’t save him. 

If the Tide loses to Oklahoma three times in 13 months, with each loss connected to missing the CFP (2024), losing an opportunity to host a first round game in the CFP (November, 2025), and a blowout loss in the first round of the CFP, well, DeBoer may as well have been DOA.

The Tide righted the ship, quarterback Ty Simpson finally played like he did in the first half of the season when he was leading the Heisman Trophy race, and now Alabama will head to Pasadena and play No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal game. 

As Simpson ran off the field at Memorial Stadium with a single red rose in his mouth, with a stunned crowd in disbelief at the turnaround it witnessed, he ran toward DeBoer and bear-hugged him. The two men at the epicenter of Alabama angst since the beginning of November.

It was Simpson who Thursday night in the team hotel in Oklahoma City, stood up during a team meeting and said he would give every ounce of energy. His tank would be empty by the time they ran off the field.

He kept the ball on zone read calls to keep the aggressive OU defense honest, and scrambled for critical hidden yards in the run game. He took a beating in the pass game, sacked four times and pressured countless other times.

And he kept coming back and firing big throws. His first touchdown passes was a fourth down throw to freshman wideout Lotzeir Brooks to make it 17-7 late in the second quarter, and his second was a perfectly thrown deep ball to Brooks early in the third that gave Alabama its first lead of the game and completed the wild turnaround.

The two touchdown catches were Brooks’ first touchdown catches of the season.

Just another twist in an unreal turn of events that, believe it or not, may just be the thing Alabama needs to move a teetering season into a memorable one. This was Alabama’s best 34 minutes of the season (maybe the best of DeBoer’s two seasons), a run so impressive — both offensively and defensively — the idea of Indiana strolling through the quarterfinals is no longer a reality. 

For the first time in DeBoer’s Alabama tenure, the Tide defense played (and dominated) a big game when it had to. For the first time in his tenure, the Tide offense righted itself and played lights out in critical moments. 

Alabama had five sacks, and held Oklahoma to 55 rushing yards on 33 carries. It played sticky coverage in the secondary, and baited Sooners quarterback John Mateer into a critical pick six that changed the momentum of the game.

Alabama is primarily a zone coverage team, but on this specific play late in the first half, played Saban’s famous Seven Up coverage ― or a Cover 7. The hybrid man-zone coverage confused Mateer, who threw to a spot on the field where a receiver wasn’t ― because the receiver was running an option route and fooled by the coverage.

Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown intercepted the throw, and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 17. By the time it was over, Alabama’s 34-7 run was more impressive than anything DeBoer’s teams have produced ― including the two wins over Georgia.

‘After that, our guys were begging to play man coverage in the second half,’ said Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

Mateer was 11-of-14 for 116 yards in the first half. He was 15-of-27 in the second half, with a majority of his 191 yards in garbage time when Alabama reverted back to zone coverage to protect a 10-point lead.

‘Just keep playing, play after play,’ said Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson. ‘We’re not done yet.’

From on the verge of being blown out and DeBoer sustaining a critical blow to his brief tenure, to the coach whose team finally found itself 14 games into the season. Whose team is now a legitimate threat to No. 1 Indiana, and the rest of the CFP field. 

Somehow, some way, Alabama avoided what seemed like an inevitable split with DeBoer 25 minutes into a crossroads game, and is suddenly playing its best ball.

‘There was never any finger pointing,’ DeBoer said. ‘There are more battles ahead, more big games out there.’

They’re feeling it in Fultondale, believing it in Boligee, manifesting it in Muscle Shoals. The Tide is rolling again. 

Alabama has its man after all. For now, anyway.