Story by1 / 1College Football Playoff Picks: Brad Powers' Best Bets for the First Round1 / 1College Football Playoff Picks: Brad Powers' Best Bets for the First RoundRyan MurphyMon, December 8, 2025 at 8:38 PM UTC·6 min readThe College Football Playoff field is finally set, and Brad Powers is here to weigh in on who belongs, who doesn't, and where the value sits for College Football Playoff bets. From Indiana's historic rise to Notre Dame's stunning omission, he boldly maps the postseason fault lines and spotlights bets shaped by motivation, matchups, and market movement. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCheck out his favorite NCAAF picks and analysis below. James Madison vs Oregon best betPick: Oregon -20.5 (-105 at FanDuel)Powers' betting card leans into mismatches and motivation — two drivers amplified in the postseason. He's backing Oregon -20.5 over James Madison, a pick that pairs talent and depth advantages with situational edges. The Ducks' physicality in the trenches and multiple matchup wins on the perimeter should strain JMU's defensive structure, and any coaching turnover, opt-outs, or distractions only widen the gap. In a tournament that's supposed to identify the best teams, Oregon's power rating edge is the blueprint for a lay-the-chalk approach. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTulane vs Mississippi best betPick: Mississippi -16.5 (-122 at FanDuel)Powers is equally confident in Mississippi -16.5 over Tulane, citing a rematch dynamic that favors an offense and athleticism mismatch that pops on film."They've already met and what a matchup: Mississippi won 45-10," Powers says.