The first round of the College Football Playoff brought thrilling drama, high-powered offenses, and one of the lowest-scoring games in CFP history. No. 10 Miami stunned No. 7 Texas A&M with a gritty comeback win, No. 6 Ole Miss throttled Tulane, and No. 5 Oregon advanced with a fireworks-filled win over James Madison. These games set the stage for some blockbuster quarterfinal matchups on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

With tight lines and explosive outcomes, this round delivered for both fans and bettors. For daily expert picks and CFP insights, check SportsHub’s football picks or explore college betting strategies.

No. 10 Miami 10, No. 7 Texas A&M 3

Mark Fletcher Jr. ran for a career-high 172 yards, including a game-changing 56-yard dash to set up the winning touchdown in Miami’s hard-fought victory over Texas A&M. The Hurricanes scored 10 unanswered points in the final 10 minutes to win their CFP debut and clinch a Cotton Bowl date with No. 2 Ohio State.

Carson Beck threw for a season-low 103 yards but delivered a crucial touchdown pass. The Hurricanes sealed the win with Bryce Fitzgerald’s second interception of Aggies QB Marcel Reed in the red zone with 24 seconds left. Reed passed for 237 yards and added 27 on the ground, but his two picks proved costly.

This was the lowest-scoring game in College Football Playoff history, a defensive gem for bettors who backed the under or followed SportsHub’s sharp CFP insights.

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No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No. 11 Tulane 10

Trinidad Chambliss threw for 282 yards and three total touchdowns as the Rebels dismantled Tulane in Oxford. Ole Miss held Tulane scoreless after the first quarter, cruising into the Sugar Bowl for a rematch with No. 3 Georgia — the only team to beat them this season.

Chambliss finished 23-of-29 passing with a touchdown and two rushing scores. The defense delivered its best performance of the year, limiting the Green Wave’s scoring opportunities and forcing a key interception. Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff managed 306 passing yards and a touchdown but also threw a pick in what was coach Jon Sumrall’s final game.

Ole Miss looks like a strong bounce-back candidate in the next round — a possible value play for bettors looking to fade recency bias.

Handicapper Recap

The first CFP round saw sharp betting opportunities across the board. Miami’s underdog upset in a low-scoring thriller was a perfect spot for those following SportsHub’s football strategy guide. Ole Miss’s dominant win against the spread and Oregon’s high-scoring game made it a strong day for total and ATS bettors.

For more insight into every CFP matchup, including quarterfinal projections and public betting data, explore SportsHub premium picks, expert leaderboards, and daily free plays.

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No. 5 Oregon 51, No. 12 James Madison 34

Dante Moore led Oregon to a shootout win with four touchdown passes and one rushing score as the Ducks overwhelmed James Madison in Eugene. Oregon racked up 514 yards of offense and overcame two interceptions with explosive scoring drives.

Malik Benson hauled in five passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeremiah McClellan and Jamari Johnson also found the end zone. Oregon now advances to face No. 4 Texas Tech at the Orange Bowl — a must-watch for total bettors given both teams’ high-octane offenses.

James Madison saw its 11-game win streak snapped despite 509 total yards. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III accounted for three touchdowns but was hampered by JMU’s 13 penalties for 113 yards — a costly issue often flagged in SportsHub’s discipline metrics.

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