Roll Tide Wire staff predictions for every CFP first round game

On Friday night, the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) officially begins.

One of the most anticipated times of year for a college football fan, there are now 12 teams remaining with a chance to win the national championship, with that set to be decided over the next couple of weeks in the CFP.

That all begins this Friday night when the first round officially starts when the Alabama Crimson Tide and Oklahoma Sooners collide, which will be followed by three remaining games Saturday. The winners of those four games will be advancing to the CFP quarterfinals, while the losers see their season come to an end.

Following are Roll Tide Wire's staff predictions for every CFP first round matchup.

Alabama Crimson Tide at Oklahoma Sooners

• When: Friday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
• Predictions:
  • Matt Melton: Alabama 26, Oklahoma 24
  • Steve Holley: Alabama 23, Oklahoma 20
  • Rob King: Alabama 22, Oklahoma 27
  • Jake Boico: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 20

The No. 9 seeded Crimson Tide open the CFP with a road game in Norman against No. 8 seed Oklahoma, which is a rematch from earlier this season where the Sooners defeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 23-21. All of Roll Tide Wire at the moment predicts a close, one-possession contest Friday night in Norman.

Miami Hurricanes at Texas A&M Aggies

• When: Saturday, Dec. 20 at noon ET on ABC/ESPN
• Predictions:
  • Matt Melton: Miami 26, Texas A&M 30
  • Steve Holley: Miami 26, Texas A&M 28
  • Rob King: Miami 24, Texas A&M 38
  • Jake Boico: Miami 27, Texas A&M 35

Saturday's slate kicks off at noon when Miami travels to face Texas A&M in the battle of the No. 10 seed Hurricanes and No. 7 seeded Aggies. All of Roll Tide Wire goes with the Aggies to pickup the win here, but it could be in a close contest.

Tulane Green Wave at Ole Miss Rebels

• When: Saturday, Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV
• Predictions:
  • Matt Melton: Tulane 17, Ole Miss 43
  • Steve Holley: Tulane 24, Ole Miss 38
  • Rob King: Tulane 18, Ole Miss 28
  • Jake Boico: Tulane 17, Ole Miss 42

The second CFP first round rematch from earlier this season takes place in Oxford where No. 6 seed Ole Miss hosts No. 11 seeded Tulane, a game which the Rebels won 45-10 back on Sept. 20. Roll Tide Wire goes with Ole Miss in a big victory to open the Pete Golding era, who will be coaching his first game as head coach of the Rebels following the departure of Lane Kiffin.

James Madison Dukes at Oregon Ducks

• When: Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV
• Predictions:
  • Matt Melton: James Madison 16, Oregon 40
  • Steve Holley: James Madison 21, Oregon 42
  • Rob King: James Madison 23, Oregon 38
  • Jake Boico: James Madison 10, Oregon 24

The final CFP first round game Saturday night comes in Eugene when No. 5 seeded Oregon hosts No. 12 seeded James Madison. Roll Tide Wire unanimously predicts a sizable victory for the Ducks.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football vs. Oklahoma among CFP first round game predictions