RADIO
First-Round Results
Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17
Penn State 38, SMU 10
Texas 38, Clemson 24
Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17
The 2024 college football season has been more competitive than recent years. Oregon was the only undefeated team during the regular season, and all FBS teams looked beatable at times. However, we saw another unfortunate slew of blowouts in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. Let’s hope the quarterfinals bring a little bit more drama.
Penn State 38, Boise State 20 - Quarterfinals
Penn State dominated SMU early on and scored its first two touchdowns via pick sixes. The Nittany Lions have the easiest path to the semifinals, and Drew Allar should be ready to go in this one after not being asked to do much in Round 1.
Boise State, led by running back Ashton Jeanty, has been fun to root for this season. However, the talent gap in this matchup will become evident in the second half. Boise State keeps it close before Penn State puts it out of reach late. James Franklin will earn a confidence boost from the Penn State faithful for dismantling two far inferior teams. The Fiesta Bowl is the lone playoff game played on New Year’s Eve this year.
Texas 42, Arizona State 14 - Quarterfinals
The gameplan for defeating Arizona State is shutting down running back Cam Skattebo. Seemingly none of ASU’s opponents have had the means to do so, but the Texas Longhorns do. Quarterback Quinn Ewers did not play his A-game against Clemson, yet the showdown in Austin wasn’t as close as the score indicates. The Sun Devils are nowhere near as talented as the Longhorns, and it will show up in this one. Here’s to another snooze fest blowout to ring in the New Year. Texas by four touchdowns.
Oregon 34, Ohio State 31 - Quarterfinals
Many put Ohio State on upset watch against Tennessee after the embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. Tennessee looked like a similar matchup for Ohio State, but offensive coordinator Chip Kelly realized he had the best wide receiver group in the country and took advantage of it. The Buckeyes are riding high and are a slight favorite in the rematch against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Expect this one to be a nailbiter like their first meeting in Eugene.
That said, we’re taking Oregon to win via dramatic finish. The Ducks are fresh after extra time off, and Dan Lanning can cement himself as one of the game’s elite coaches if his team advances to the semis. This might be the best game of the entire 12-team playoff.
Notre Dame 20, Georgia 14 - Quarterfinals
Notre Dame throttled Indiana in the first ever on-campus College Football Playoff game. Their reward is a trip to the Sugar Bowl to take on Georgia. It is smart to pick against Kirby Smart with extra time to prepare? We’ll find out. However, the Irish defense is legit and elite, and although quarterback Georgia Gunner Stockton is talented, it’s a tough spot for his first career start.
Compared to the previous Georgia teams that won the National Championship, the 2024 team isn’t as good at any position or any phase of the game. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has rattled off 12 consecutive victories. If this game was in Athens, the pick would be different. We’re rolling with the physical Notre Dame offense and defense to send the SEC Champion packing in a tight slugfest.
Texas 35, Oregon 27 - Semifinals
When the playoffs reach the seminal stage, we’ll hopefully be clear of all blowouts. A Texas vs. Oregon matchup is exciting and would be must-watch football. Both teams have experienced quarterbacks and talent all over the roster. However, Texas is arguably the most well-rounded team.
As long as Quinn Ewers doesn’t make a backbreaking mistake or two, we’ll take Texas to advance from the Cotton Bowl to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Notre Dame 24, Penn State 18 - Semifinals
In this projected Orange Bowl matchup, two historical college football powerhouses meet for the right to go to the National Championship. Both teams have quarterbacks who can make magic happen with their legs, but the two defenses are the headliners in this one.
Both programs have built a reputation for losing these critical games over the last decade-plus, so the winning team will finally get that monkey of their back. Give us the Irish in a close one thanks to their talent in the backfield and secondary.
Texas 27, Notre Dame 14 - National Championship Game
Texas and Notre Dame are officially back whether they win this game or not. This matchup between two physical and loaded rosters should give us more drama than previous National Championship games.
Will it be Marcus Freeman or Steve Sarkisian earning their first ring as a head coach? Needless to say, both teams are capable of winning if they have gotten to this game, but Notre Dame’s luck runs out here. Quinn Ewers would do wonders for his draft stock if he can get the Longhorns a Natty for the first time since Vince Young suited up in the burnt orange.
