Hey Team 👋

If there’s one word to define the CFP quarterfinals, it’s chaos. The first round of the CFP went just as experts predicted, but the quarterfinals veered wildly off-script. For the second straight year, the 12-team playoff format proved unforgiving for teams earning first-round byes, as three of the four top seeds were sent home early. While No. 1 Indiana validated its ranking — and preserved its perfect season — with a statement win over Alabama, Ohio State, Texas Tech and Georgia weren’t as lucky.

Letter Rip!

< CFB >

Quarterfinal Chaos

#10 Miami vs. #2 Ohio State — Miami W (24-14)

What was widely expected to be an Ohio State rout quickly turned into a nightmare for the defending champions. Miami’s defense set the tone from the opening kick, smothering the Buckeyes in the first quarter and keeping the game level early. Then, in the second quarter, the Hurricanes came storming, scoring an early touchdown before notching a pick six to take a 14-0 lead over the Buckeyes going into halftime. 

After halftime, many (myself included) anticipated a trademark Ohio State response. But while the Buckeyes improved, the Hurricanes didn’t take their foot off the gas. In the end, Miami shocked Ohio State 24-14 and headed into 2026 semifinal-bound. Carson Beck and the Hurricanes will take on No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday.

#5 Oregon vs. #4 Texas Tech — Oregon W (23-0)

The Orange Bowl was yet another quarterfinal that shattered expectations. With Oregon favored by a slim 2.5 points and experts split nearly down the middle, this matchup was supposed to be one of the weekend’s most competitive games. Instead, the Ducks showed us there was never a doubt.

From the opening drive, Oregon controlled the tempo and never let Texas Tech find its footing, cruising to a dominant 23–0 shutout. Unfortunately for us, this game was a bit of a snoozer. On the bright side, Oregon’s defense stepped up in a major way to lock down Texas Tech’s defense, showing promise for the next matchup against powerhouse Indiana in the Peach Bowl.  

#9 Alabama vs. #1 Indiana — Indiana W (38-3)

The first two quarterfinals may have defied expectations, but no one saw this coming. Indiana’s win itself wasn’t the surprise — the sheer dominance was. Plenty of experts flirted with an Alabama upset, and the spread favored the Hoosiers by just a touchdown. But like Miami, Indiana came out of the gates swinging and never lost momentum. 

The Hoosiers entered the half up 17-0, and many expected Alabama to mount a familiar second-half response, much like it did against Oklahoma. Instead, the Tide ran into a brick wall. Behind Fernando Mendoza, Indiana poured on 21 more points after the break while surrendering just three, turning a marquee matchup into a stunning rout and firmly cementing its place as the team to beat.

#6 Ole Miss vs. #3 Georgia — Ole Miss W (39-34)

Once again, the first-round bye got the best of Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, while the Rebels continued to prove they don’t need Lane Kiffin to take control of the CFP. Unlike the other quarterfinal games that devolved into domination somewhere along the way, the Sugar Bowl was a hard-fought battle until the very end. 

Going into the half, Georgia appeared to be firmly in control with a 21-12 lead. But unlike the other quarterfinal games, the Bulldogs couldn’t sustain that effort. As the Bulldogs faded in the second half, the Rebels surged, outscoring Georgia by 14 after the break and seizing control when it mattered most. Ole Miss’ resilience powered a 39–34 upset, sending the Rebels to the Fiesta Bowl for a semifinal showdown with Miami.

< MVS 2026 >

The 2026 Military Veteran Startups Conference

Join the 5th Military Veteran Startup Conference (MVS) on 2/11-2/12/26. MVS is the largest convening of military veteran startup and venture capital leaders. In total, the last three conferences brought in over 1,500 founders, future founders, operators, VCs and LPs.

MVS26 will take place in downtown San Francisco at the Marines Memorial Club on February 11-12, 2026 (Wednesday-Thursday). The Military Veteran Startup Conference is the premier event connecting military veteran founders, VCs, institutional LPs and operators. There is no other forum that convenes this community at scale, and past conferences have driven meaningful dealmaking, partnerships, and hiring.

CTA Register Now!

Thank you to our Sponsors: JPMorgan, DLA Piper, Citizens Private Bank, Sightline Ventures, Holland & Knight, Cooley & PenFed Foundation.

Discount Code: 10% off for readers: https://luma.com/mvs2026?coupon=SPORTSLETTER