GLENDALE, Ariz. — The 2026 College Football Playoff has shredded every preseason bracket. We are left with a Final Four that features two programs searching for their first-ever title (Oregon, Indiana) and a quarterback who started his career in Division 2.
The road to the January 19th National Championship runs through the Fiesta Bowl (Ole Miss vs. Miami) and the Peach Bowl (Oregon vs. Indiana). CBS Sports analyst Damien Harris broke down the field, and the verdict is clear: chaos reigns.
If you want to know why the Hoosiers are the favorites, look at the Rose Bowl box score. Indiana didn’t just beat Alabama; they bullied them. The Hoosiers’ backfield duo combined for 407 yards of offense, while the entire Crimson Tide squad managed just 190.
Damien Harris compared Curt Cignetti’s squad to the peak New England Patriots dynasties. “It’s the ‘Do Your Job’ mentality,” Harris said. “They tripled [Alabama] in third-down conversions and doubled them in first downs. This team seems impenetrable.”
With QB Fernando “Heisman Doza” Mendoza showing elite poise shaking off mistakes with a “next play” mentality Indiana has evolved from a 100-to-1 preseason longshot into the team to beat.
Lane Kiffin has the Rebels playing their best football at the perfect time. But the story isn’t the coach; it’s the quarterback. Trinidad Chambliss has been spectacular, throwing for 333, 301, 359, and 362 yards in his last four starts.
“I almost wish he had played like this all season long because then we’d be talking about him as the Heisman Trophy winner. Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. Trinidad Chambliss is nothing short of a big-time player.”
— Damien Harris, CBS Sports
Combine that aerial attack with Pete Golding’s physical, defensive-minded unit, and Ole Miss has the formula to win shootouts or grinders.
Mario Cristobal has the ‘Canes playing angry. The offense has found a devastating rhythm with the “Thunder and Lightning” backfield of Mark Fletcher Jr. and Malachi Tony. Tony’s punt return touchdown against Texas A&M proved he can flip a game in seconds.
But the defense is the headline. The “Gladiators”—Rueben Bain Jr. and Francisco Mauigoa—are terrorizing quarterbacks. Miami has recorded 12 sacks in the first two rounds. For context, last year’s champion Ohio State had 18 sacks in their entire postseason run. If Miami keeps this pace, no quarterback is safe.
The Ducks just pitched a shutout in the quarterfinals, but their eyes are on the scoreboard. This isn’t a team looking to win 17-14; they want to hang 40 on you.
The X-factor is freshman phenom Dorian Moore. After missing time with an injury, Moore returned last week and looked electric. Harris compares him to Miami’s Malachi Tony—a player who needs just one touch to score.
With QB Dante Moore (“fluid throwing motion,” potential No. 1 pick) dealing to a healthy roster, Oregon challenges defenses to simply “keep the roof on the house.”
Thursday: Ole Miss vs. Miami (Fiesta Bowl)
Friday: Oregon vs. Indiana (Peach Bowl)
The winners meet on January 19th. If Indiana holds form, they complete the greatest Cinderella season in history. If Ole Miss or Miami advances, the SEC/ACC speed narrative takes center stage. Buckle up.
