College football bowl season is in full swing. The holidays are just around the corner. What more could we ask for? How about playoffs? (Playoffs?)

Yep, it’s time. Welcome to the CFP First Round edition of the Carla and Crappy Show.

Before we get into our prognostication, we must take yet another spin on the coaching carousel, which took a funny … then absolutely not funny at all … spin over the past couple of weeks. As always, AJ has us covered and helps us navigate the chaos.

And then? Welp, there’s not much else to talk about, other than the games. So let’s get to it.

(Note: Teams are listed by CFP seeds, not rankings.)

No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma (8 ET Friday, ABC/ESPN): This is the first of two rematches in the playoffs this season. The last time these two teams met, the boom heard around the SEC was Oklahoma’s surprising domination in Bryant-Denny. We last saw Alabama in the SEC title game which … understatement … didn’t go well for the Tide. Can Bama find enough offense against another stout defense in Norman on a Friday night? Carla and Crappy aren’t so sure. AJ is simply appalled by the whole situation.

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M (Noon ET Saturday, ABC/ESPN): Miami, the ACC champ… oh, wait. Nope. Despite not playing in the conference title game, the Canes make the trip to Kyle Field to face an Aggies squad that was inconsistent at the end of the season. Which version of Texas A&M do we get in this game? Will the season-ending embarrassment against archrival Texas give the Aggies motivation to go out and win the whole thing? (Note: See 2024-2025 Ohio State.)

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss (3:30 ET Saturday, TNT/truTV): There’s a lot of intrigue in this matchup between two teams losing their head coaches despite making the playoff. There’s the Ole Miss side, which may be motivated to show out to spite their former HC now at LSU. There’s the Tulane side, which is rallying around now-Florida HC Jon Sumrall before he heads to Gainesville. Which team has the greater motivation? Is this a chance for the Wave to avenge their loss to Ole Miss earlier this year? (Spoiler: Two of us think they might!)

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon (7:30 ET Saturday, TNT/truTV): We all wanted Jimmy in the playoff. We got exactly what we wanted. But now, Jimmy has to fly across the country to play a Ducks team in Autzen that matches up really well against their offense. Sigh. Just remember that there were lots of FCS playoff upsets this season, so maybe there’s a glimmer of hope? Either way, we’re thrilled to see a second G5 team in the playoff. We don’t care what anyone else says.

Speaking of FCS, there are several FCS/DII/DIII playoff games to also keep your eyes on:

Johns Hopkins at Wisconsin-River Falls (1 ET Saturday, ESPN+): The first of two DIII semis. Both of these teams are 12-1. (Also, Crappy’s CMU Tartans nearly beat Johns Hopkins back in October.)

Montana at Montana State (4 ET Saturday, ABC): The Brawl of the Wild 2 for a shot at an FCS national title appearance? Yes, please. This might be the best game of the entire weekend at all levels.

Harding vs. Ferris State (4 ET Saturday, ESPN2): The DII national title game features a battle of unbeatens. And it’s on national TV. No excuses.

John Carroll at North Central (4:30 Saturday, ESPN+): The undefeated defending national champ hosts the Blue Streaks, whose only loss was to also-semifinalist Johns Hopkins back in September.

Illinois State at Villanova (7:30 ET Saturday, ESPN2): Nova’s hosting an FCS semifinal! Also, there are no Dakotas left in the field. If that late CFP game gets out of hand (or even if it doesn’t), get your eyeballs on this one.

With that, we wish you all a very happy holiday and bowl season. (Watch for, umm, Bowlapalooza to drop later this week!) Crappy’s plan is to watch as much college football as possible over the next two weeks, and we wholeheartedly concur. Enjoy the bowls and the playoffs at all levels, and we’ll be back just before the New Year to preview the CFP quarters. Cheers, friends!