CFP Chaos: Upsets, Underdogs, and a “Bye Curse” Define the 2025

The first fully expanded 12-team College Football Playoff promised madness — and it delivered.

From Miami stunning powerhouse Ohio State, to Ole Miss authoring a true Cinderella run, to Indiana announcing itself as a national force, this year’s CFP has flipped expectations upside-down and ignited debate about whether the new format is truly rewarding the “best” teams. If fans wanted drama, they got it.

Big Upsets Rock the Bracket

The biggest shock of the playoff — and arguably the biggest upset in CFP history by seed — belonged to Miami.

The Hurricanes took down No. 2 Ohio State 24–14, suffocating the Buckeyes offensively and never blinking under the brightest lights. It was physical, it was relentless, and it was a message: Miami is officially back in the national conversation.

Ole Miss and the True Underdog Story

Ole Miss came into the postseason as a No. 6 seed and left everyone speechless.

Their thrilling 39–34 comeback win over No. 3 Georgia instantly became a playoff classic. No Lane Kiffin, no problem — the Rebels showed grit, creativity, and zero fear. What started as “a fun story” has now become one of the most compelling Cinderella runs of the CFP era.

Dominance at the Top: Indiana Makes a Statement

Indiana — yes, Indiana — entered the playoff as the No. 1 seed and fully acted like it.

Their 38–3 demolition of Alabama was the most complete performance of the quarterfinal round. Powerful defense, efficient offense, and a team that never looked shaken — the Hoosiers didn’t just survive the pressure of the bye, they shattered the narrative around it.

The “Bye Curse” Debate Takes Center Stage

The new 12-team format guaranteed the top four seeds a bye into the quarterfinals. What wasn’t guaranteed?

Success.

Top seeds had stumbled out of the gate, going a shocking 0–6 in quarterfinal action since expansion — until Indiana finally broke the curse with its win over Alabama.

The conversation now is loud and emotional:

Does the layoff hurt the rhythm?
Do lower-seeded teams gain momentum from playing earlier?
Is “rust vs. rest” officially real in college football?

What’s clear: the expanded playoff has given the sport chaos, storylines, and more meaningful games than ever.

Quarterfinal Scoreboard

Indiana (1) 38, Alabama (9) 3
Ole Miss (6) 39, Georgia (3) 34
Miami (10) 24, Ohio State (2) 14
Oregon (5) 23, Texas Tech (4) 0

Oregon’s 23–0 shutout of Texas Tech was another major statement, proving the Ducks’ defense is more than capable of carrying them into championship contention.

Semifinals Set Up Pure Drama

The remaining field has everything college football fans could ask for:

Indiana – historic underdog turned powerhouse No. 1 seed
Oregon – chasing an elusive national title
Ole Miss – the Cinderella that refuses to bow out
Miami – a resurgent program hungry for respect

Brand power, redemption arcs, and new blood in the national title picture — the sport is changing in real time.

What We’ve Learned

The 2025–2026 CFP has shown us:

Expansion works for entertainment
Parity is real
Seeding guarantees nothing
College football thrives on chaos

One thing is certain — however this finishes, we won’t forget the ride.