The College Football Playoff Committee’s bracket restructuring has led to what should be a fantastic week of college football games. 

All but one game is a one-score spread, and we have what feels like the eight strongest teams over the course of the season playing this week. 

Is the Big Ten going to continue its recent success in the playoffs, or will someone new spoil the party this week? Let’s get into the picks.

#10 Miami vs #2 Ohio State (-9.5) Total: 40.5

In a round one matchup against Texas A&M, Miami was able to lean on Mark Fletcher Jr to wear down the Aggies and let their defense win it for them. I don’t think Miami will have as much success running against a much stouter Ohio State defensive line and will need to lean on Carson Beck to pull off the massive upset. I think Ohio State’s defense can win this game on their own, but similar to last season, Ryan Day turned up the heat on offense and let Jeremiah Smith take over in the playoffs. I don’t see why Ohio State doesn’t win comfortably in their first playoff game of the season.

Pick: Ohio State -9.5
Lean: o40.5

#5 Oregon (-2.5) vs #4 Texas Tech Total: 51.5

The worst Oregon has looked this season was when Indiana consistently dialed up pressure against them in their matchup at Autzen Stadium. Texas Tech has a defense that can do the same thing to Dante Moore and the Ducks. 

They have an elite run defense to stop Oregon’s downhill run game, and two of the best linebackers in the country, Jacob Rodrigue,z who finished 5th in the Heisman, and Ben Roberts, who is the most underrated piece on this Red Raider defense. However, I do not have any faith in Behren Morton consistently moving the ball for Texas Tech, and Dante Moore has improved a lot as a passer since their loss to Indiana. Oregon will steal a win, but it’s going to be a close one.

Pick: Oregon -2.5 and u51.5

#9 Alabama vs #1 Indiana (-7) Total: 48.5

Ty Simpson has been telling the media that nobody believes in him or Alabama. That sentiment coming from an Alabama football team is ridiculous, but it might be true. Indiana is better than Alabama at every single level. 

Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman for a reason, and he showed he can make every big throw when the stakes are high, just as he did in the Big 10 Championship. Simpson hasn’t seen a defense half as talented as Indiana’s all season, and I think this will be the biggest blowout of the weekend. I love Indiana in this one.

Pick: Indiana -7

#6 Ole Miss vs #3 Georgia (-6.5) Total: 55.5

After destroying an Alabama team I have felt was overrated all year, many have started to believe that Georgia is playing at a level where they could win a national title. I don’t understand this at all. The week before, they barely escaped a very average Georgia Tech. 

This same Georgia team has played with fire all season long, and I believe they are very beatable. Ole Miss should have beaten them in their first matchup if Lane Kiffin hadn’t mismanaged the fourth quarter so drastically. Fortunately, Kiffin isn’t there to make that same mistake. I also believe that the Rebels are on a mission to prove Kiffin wrong and continue on their playoff run with an upset win over Georgia.

Pick: Ole Miss +6.5
Total: o55.5