Paul Finebaum picks most intriguing CFP quarterfinal matchup
By David Wasson
Published:
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals are set, with the traditional New Year’s bowls playing host to Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon, Ole Miss, Alabama and Miami and starting Dec. 31 with the Cotton Bowl matchup pitting the Hurricanes against the defending champion Buckeyes (7:30 pm ET, ESPN).
ESPN college football pundit Paul Finebaum appeared on SportsCenter on Sunday morning to discuss why his favorite matchup of the CFP quarterfinals doesn’t involve the defending champs or an SEC power – but a pair of programs that have more recently invested in their programs.
“I like another one even more, and that is Texas Tech vs. Oregon,” Finebaum said. “This is new money vs. newer money. There is so much money in this game because of the Nike money from Oregon and what has happened at Texas Tech.
“What I really like is that we are seeing really good teams in this, too. These are outstanding teams and we are not having to suffer through games like we did (Saturday) with JMU and Tulane.”
No. 5 seed Oregon blasted past No. 12 seed James Madison 51-34 to earn its spot in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day (Noon ET, ESPN), while Texas Tech won the Big 12 title and earned the No. 4 overall seed in the 12-team CFP field.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
