The College Football Playoff Semifinals: A Closer Look at the Matchups
As the calendar flips to a new year, college football fans are treated to a familiar spectacle: the College Football Playoff semifinals. This year, four teams remain in the hunt for the coveted national title, and the stage is set for some thrilling matchups.
Notre Dame’s impressive 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl has earned them a spot in the semifinals. They will face Penn State on January 9th in the Capital One Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted on ESPN. Penn State secured their place by defeating Boise State 31-14 in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Meanwhile, Texas had to dig deep to overcome a resilient Arizona State team, winning 39-31 in double overtime on New Year’s Day. Their reward is a matchup against Ohio State, who convincingly defeated Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. This clash will take place on January 10th at 7:30 p.m. ET in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, also on ESPN.
Let’s dive into the details of these exciting semifinal matchups. — Heather Dinich
Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
When: January 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2)
What we learned in the quarterfinals: Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, is showing signs of reaching his full NFL draft potential. His performance against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl was a testament to his growth, with an impressive 13.8 yards per pass attempt and three touchdowns on throws of at least 10 yards. If Allar continues to elevate his game, his draft stock will rise accordingly.
One NFL GM commented, “He possesses a lot of raw talent and plays well within their system. There’s something still amiss though. Nevertheless, he’s finally making big-time throws and demonstrating some of the potential that was previously mentioned. I’m cautiously optimistic about his future.”
X factor: DE Abdul Carter. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was injured in the first half against Boise State. His potential return could be a game-changer for Penn State’s defense, which was already elite without him.
How Penn State wins: The key to victory for Penn State is to make Notre Dame one-dimensional by stifling their running game and forcing them into third-and-long situations. If they can replicate their defensive performance against Boise State, Notre Dame’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, will face a challenging day. — Heather Dinich
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1)
What we learned in the quarterfinals: Notre Dame’s defense lived up to its reputation against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Ranked No. 2 in the FBS in scoring defense, they allowed only a field goal in the first half. Key plays by Adon Shuler and RJ Oben were instrumental in securing the win.
X factor: Leonard. The Notre Dame offense relied heavily on Leonard, who contributed both through the air and on the ground. With Penn State’s strong run defense, Leonard’s ability to make plays will be crucial.
How Notre Dame wins: Notre Dame’s defense must continue to force turnovers and excel on third downs. Pressure on Allar and special teams’ contributions, like Jayden Harrison‘s kickoff return, will be vital. Cleaning up penalties is also essential. — Mark Schlabach
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State
When: January 10, 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
Texas Longhorns (13-2)
What we learned in the quarterfinals: Texas has experienced an identity crisis on offense, fluctuating between rushing dominance and struggles. A consistent rushing attack will be crucial against Ohio State.
X factor: TE Gunnar Helm. Helm’s contributions in recent games have been significant, and his role in the offense will be vital against Ohio State.
How Texas wins: Texas must leverage its top-ranked defense to pressure Ohio State’s quarterback, Will Howard. Dominating the line of scrimmage, as Michigan did, will be key. — Andrea Adelson
Ohio State Buckeyes (12-2)
What we learned in the quarterfinals: Ohio State’s offense, led by Jeremiah Smith, is unstoppable. Their performance against Oregon showcased their offensive prowess.
X factor: Henderson. With Texas likely focusing on Smith, Henderson’s role in the running game will be crucial.
How Ohio State wins: Ohio State must replicate their dominant performance against Oregon. Utilizing Smith and maintaining a strong defense will be essential. — Paolo Uggetti
Originally Written by: ESPN
