Best bets for CFP quarterfinals: The edges, the value and the breakouts - ESPN

It's time for the quarterfinals of the 2025 College Football Playoff. After the first round where teams won with ease (Oregon) or clawed back to victory (Alabama), teams fresh off gritty matchups will meet well-rested contenders in some of the biggest games of the season.

Pamela Maldonado breaks down the Cotton Bowl and the Orange Bowl (with bets to come for the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl) and uncovers the bets with the best value to help ring in the new year.

All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

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Cotton Bowl | Orange Bowl | Rose Bowl | Sugar Bowl

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 10 Miami at No. 2 Ohio State -9.5
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Records: Miami 10-2, 4-0 vs. AP Top 25; Ohio State 12-1, 3-1 vs. AP Top 25
Opening Line: Ohio State -9.5, O/U 43.5
Money line: Miami (+280); Ohio State (-355)
Over/Under: 42.5 (O -108, U -112)

The Miami Hurricanes arrive fresh off a statement win over the Texas A&M Aggies. The Ohio State Buckeyes arrive rested.

Both routes still lead to the same high stakes checkpoint, with a semifinal looming for whoever survives what comes next.

Here's what I see for both squads, with a prediction at the end.

This is the most uncomfortable matchup Ohio State's offense has seen all season. The Buckeyes' biggest edge is elite passing, and Miami is built to stress that. The Hurricanes have the second best pass rush — behind only Texas Tech — with nearly 300 pressures, and they do it without blitzing.

Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin has been excellent when clean, but under pressure, his completion rate drops from 83% to 61.5% with his execution taking a real hit. Miami can collapse the pocket with a four-man rush, tighten windows and kill explosives.

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