A new college football national champion will be determined tonight as the defending titleholder, Ohio State, was unexpectedly eliminated by Miami in the quarterfinals of the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP). This surprising turn of events opens the door for the Georgia Bulldogs to reclaim their championship title, having previously won back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022. Georgia, currently holding a record of 12-1, will face the sixth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels, also 12-1, in the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET.
Georgia has had ample time to prepare for this critical matchup, with their last game on December 6, where they secured a 28-7 victory against Alabama in the SEC Championship. This triumph marked the Bulldogs’ ninth consecutive win. Earlier this season, Georgia overcame a nine-point deficit to defeat Ole Miss 43-35, which remains the Rebels’ only loss of the season. Ole Miss advanced to this stage after a dominant 41-10 victory against 11th-seeded Tulane on December 20.
Key Matchups and Betting Insights
As anticipation builds for tonight’s game, Georgia is favored by 6.5 points, according to the latest consensus college football odds. The Bulldogs’ quarterback, Gunner Stockton, had an impressive outing against Ole Miss earlier in the season, throwing four touchdown passes, while the Rebels’ quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss, accounted for three touchdowns, showcasing the offensive firepower of both teams.
The game is expected to be high-scoring, with both teams averaging over 30 points per game. The Bulldogs have scored 35 or more points in seven games this season, while Ole Miss ranks tenth in the nation with an average of 37.5 points per contest. The SportsLine Projection Model predicts that the total will exceed 55.5 points in tonight’s matchup, with the over hitting in 51% of simulations.
NBA and NHL Highlights on January 1
In addition to college football, Thursday features several compelling matchups in the NBA and NHL. The Boston Celtics will face the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center at 10 p.m. ET. The Celtics are 2-1 on their current five-game road trip and recently secured a 129-119 victory over the Utah Jazz. The Kings, however, are struggling after suffering back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
Simultaneously, the NHL will see the Tampa Bay Lightning visiting the Los Angeles Kings at 7 p.m. ET. The Lightning are on a five-game winning streak, looking to extend their success after a prior loss to the Kings. Notably, the Kings have struggled at home, with a current record of 5-8-4.
Moreover, nearly two dozen college basketball games will take place on Thursday, including a Missouri Valley Conference clash between Bradley and Belmont at 7 p.m. ET. Bradley recently extended their winning streak to seven games, while Belmont seeks to bounce back after a close overtime loss to Indiana State.
As sports fans prepare for an exciting day of competition, the stakes are high for both the College Football Playoff and the ongoing NBA and NHL seasons.
