USA Today predicts final score of every College Football Playoff game, National Championship

USA Today predicted the final score of every College Football Playoff game this year, including the national championship. So, we’re here to break it down.

Don’t expect chalk all the way through as we’ll get some surprises. That’s why you play the game right?

So without further ado, let’s dive into the latest College Football Playoff predictions from USA Today. We’ll start in the first round.

College Football Playoff First Round Games

No. 9 Alabama 21, No. 18 Oklahoma 16
Dec. 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC in Norman, Oklahoma

The Crimson Tide are going to get their payback, per USA Today. Despite going on the road, Kalen DeBoer stays in Alabama (wink, wink) and gets the Crimson Tide to the second round, beating a tough defense.

No. 10 Miami 24, No. 7 Texas A&M 23
Dec. 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC in College Station, Texas

The Hurricanes are going to take the College Football Playoff world by storm and win on the road. Texas A&M backed their way into the bracket and Miami has a chip on their shoulder. This game will be razor thin.

No. 6 Ole Miss 35, No. 11 Tulane 14
Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT in Oxford, Mississippi

The Rebels win their debut under Pete Golding and it happens to be in the College Football Playoff. This is another rematch but Tulane will be overmatched, again, in the end as the Rebels advance with a home win.

No. 5 Oregon 41, No. 12 James Madison 17
Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT in Eugene, Oregon

Oregon is set out to dominate James Madison in the first round, per USA Today. If games were played on paper, this would be the prediction, but we at least have to get confirmation on the field! The Ducks being at home is a massive advantage.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals

No. 2 Ohio State 33, No. 10 Miami 17
Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Cotton Bowl

Ohio State gets their College Football Playoff defense off on the right foot by beating Miami and ending any hopes of a Hurricanes run. The Buckeyes are just too good in all facets to go one and done.

No. 5 Oregon 38, No. 4 Texas Tech 31
Jan. 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Orange Bowl

Oregon will keep their run going by knocking off the Red Raiders. USA Today is confident in the Ducks putting up 38 against, arguably, the best defense in college football. We’ll see now won’t we?

No. 1 Indiana 27, No. 9 Alabama 24
Jan. 1 at 4:00 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Rose Bowl

The Hoosiers get their first College Football Playoff win over a playoff regular in Alabama. Curt Cignetti and crew remain undefeated by winning the Rose Bowl and advancing to the semifinals. 

No. 3 Georgia 28, No. 6 Ole Miss 20
Jan. 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Sugar Bowl

The Bulldogs are to not be trifled with in a playoff setting, for the most part. Ole Miss will give them a battle but be unable to win the rematch in New Orleans. Three of the top four seeds advance.

College Football Playoff Semifinals

No. 2 Ohio State 24, No. 3 Georgia 10
Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Fiesta Bowl

Ohio State and Georgia have College Football Playoff history and the Buckeyes will get the best of the Bulldogs this time around. Ryan Day and crew will get a chance to win back to back titles.

No. 5 Oregon 30, No. 1 Indiana 20
Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at the Peach Bowl

The tremendous run for Oregon continues in the semifinals with a win over undefeated Indiana. The Hoosiers beat the Ducks in Eugene this year, but Dan Lanning and crew get their revenge and will play for a title, per USA Today.

College Football Playoff National Championship

No. 2 Ohio State 37, No. 5 Oregon 28
Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in Miami, Florida

The Buckeyes will repeat as national champions as they prevent the Ducks from doing what they did last year: fail to win the Big Ten but rip off four wins in a row. Overall, Ohio State has a little more firepower on both sides of the ball and Lanning will have to wait until at least 2026 to get his first crown while Day gets his second, tying himself with Kirby Smart.