College Football Playoff predictions: J.D. PicKell reveals his picks for entire bracket

The College Football Playoff is set to begin in a little more than a week, with the mad race to the finish just around the corner. On3’s JD PicKell is here to make his predictions on the field.

PicKell picked the entire CFP bracket straight up, yielding his 2025 national champion. Who was it? For that, we have to dive into the picks.

Below is a listing of the picks for JD PicKell. Note that the commentary is provided by us and is not always a direct reflection of PicKell’s particular take on a matchup. Let’s begin.

First Round: No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma

WINNER: Alabama
In an SEC rematch, we’ll get to see whether Alabama has started to figure out Oklahoma a little bit after dropping games to the Sooners in each of the past two years. You have to figure that motivation won’t be a problem.

For Oklahoma, quarterback John Mateer has had more time to get fully healthy, but hasn’t necessarily snapped right back into form. That feels like it will have to change if Oklahoma is going to prove PicKell wrong with his first College Football Playoff pick.

First Round: No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon

WINNER: Oregon
No surprises here for PicKell as he takes the heavy favorite to win at home. Oregon has been pretty close to dominant all season long, with its lone loss to a powerhouse Indiana team midway through the year.

James Madison has had an excellent season in its own right, but things are a little different going up against a Big Ten powerhouse. Viewers would probably settle for a remotely competitive game here, if we’re being honest.

First Round: No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M

WINNER: Texas A&M
After picking a road team upset in the Alabama-Oklahoma game, PicKell goes with back-to-back home favorites in the next two College Football Playoff games. That’s typically the way the first round goes, though we’ll see if this year is any different from last.

This one will pit some interesting style differences. Miami needs quarterback Carson Beck to play well, avoiding some of the turnovers that have been problematic in the team’s losses. Texas A&M has answers virtually everywhere and will be a tough out.

First Round: No. 11 Tulane vs. No. 6 Ole Miss

WINNER: Ole Miss
In a regular season rematch, we’re not expecting anything too out of the ordinary. Ole Miss was the clear winner in Oxford earlier this year, winning 45-10, and we don’t really expect that to change just because there’s more familiarity now.

That said, Tulane will be out with something to prove after coach Jon Sumrall opted to take the Florida job. He’s sticking with the Green Wave through the playoffs, and Tulane will be hoping it’s for more than just a one-and-done.

Quarterfinal: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama

WINNER: Indiana
The first mega matchup of the College Football Playoff will pit a traditional power against one of the hottest up-and-coming programs in the sport. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has gotten the job done at every turn; now it’s just about showing out in the playoff.

On paper, it feels like Alabama will have to be a little more well-balanced to pull off a major upset here. But might running back Jam Miller be fully healthy by then? That could make a big difference, potentially.

Quarterfinal: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon

WINNER: Oregon
Speaking of programs that have popped up seemingly out of nowhere that now look sustainably built, Texas Tech has done remarkable work in the NIL era. The program has players across the board on both sides of the ball, with the defense actually standing out the most.

Can Oregon and quarterback Dante Moore figure out the keys to unlocking that Texas Tech defense? One other factor to consider: Oregon will have played a week earlier and might be a little more in sync.

Quarterfinal: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M

WINNER: Ohio State
Despite taking a loss in the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State is still viewed as one of the powerhouse programs in this year’s College Football Playoff. It’s going to take a serious effort to derail the Buckeyes, who have answers at every level on both sides.

Could a warmed-up Texas A&M team carry some momentum into the contest and get hot? It’s certainly possible. The Aggies are a team that has managed to feast on opponent miscues, so forcing the Buckeyes into uncomfortable spots would have to be a goal in this one. Still, Ohio State simply has too much in PicKell’s mind.

Quarterfinal: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss

WINNER: Georgia
In a rematch of a regular season contest, Ole Miss will look to flip its fortunes against Georgia. Georgia hosted the regular-season contest in Athens and came away with a 43-35 victory. It was a game Ole Miss controlled early, then faded in late.

Georgia looks to be firing on all cylinders entering the playoff. Will the time off have done anything to cool the momentum? Or will it have allowed the Bulldogs to get even healthier (and scarier)?

Semifinal: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon

WINNER: Oregon
Perhaps the first major upset in PicKell’s College Football Playoff bracket, the college football analyst sees Oregon getting hot and taking down Indiana in a regular season rematch. Keep in mind, Indiana won the first meeting relatively convincingly on the road at Oregon.

The Ducks will likely have been stewing on that loss for quite some time, hoping for their shot at revenge. And few are as skilled at motivating players as Dan Lanning. This one would be one of the most anticipated rematches possible.

Semifinal: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Georgia

WINNER: Georgia
The other semifinal matchup doesn’t feature a rematch but rather two powerhouse programs going head-to-head. Few teams in the sport are built as soundly as Georgia and Ohio State. Both recruit at elite levels, and both have the financing to fund strong transfer portal classes.

So what wins out? This would be a fascinating quarterback matchup. Both seem ready to put together a breakout game on the national stage, just waiting for their opportunity. Will Gunner Stockton or Julian Sayin seize the moment?

Championship: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 5 Oregon

WINNER: Georgia
In a classic matchup pitting Lanning against his former mentor Kirby Smart, Smart comes out ahead in PicKell’s College Football Playoff prediction. Georgia certainly seems to be playing better all-around football entering the playoff.

That said, if Oregon has made it this far it is firing on all cylinders and we should have one heck of a title game on our hands. Can Georgia maintain its momentum from the SEC Championship Game all the way through a playoff run? PicKell says yes.