2024-2025 cbhsports College Football Playoff Semifinals Preview

Image Courtesy: The New York Times

Thursday, January 9
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
6.Penn State (13-2) vs. 7.Notre Dame (13-1)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
Penn State and Notre Dame square off in a match up of the unlikely in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Orange Bowl. Notre Dame upset Georgia in the delayed Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, 23-10. The Fighting Irish’s quarterback Riley Leonard only threw for 90 pass yards and a score but he led his team in rush yards (80) in the victory over Georgia. They went on a 17-0 run against the Bulldogs between the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half after Jayden Harris brought the half’s opening kickoff to the house. Georgia’s defense held the Irish’s star running back, Jeremiyah Love to only 19 yards on the game. Al Golden’s defense made up for what Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame passing game by forcing two fumbles that helped them win the game by two possessions. Golden’s defense has been fantastic all season as has Tom Allen’s Penn State unit. Penn State’s roster is similar to Notre Dame’s in the fact that they rely on their run game and defense to win them games. Boise State signal caller Maddux Madsen threw three interceptions to the Nittany Lions in the Broncos’ season ending loss to Zakee Wheatley, Tyrece Mills, and Zion Tracy. Star pass rusher Abdul Carter was injured in the win but he is likely to play after head coach James Franklin said “There is nothing stopping him from playing” in his press conference this week. Tailbacks Kaytron Allen (134 yards) Nicholas Singleton (87 yards and a touchdown) helped their quarterback Drew Allar (171 yards and 3 TDs) with an efficient performance in their 31-14 win over the Broncos. A win for James Franklin’s team could be huge for him as he has never been considered a top coach in college football with his inability to win big games. But a third consecutive win in the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff would send shockwaves through the Big Ten with a potential match up against conference rival Ohio State or Texas in the national championship if their able to defeat the Fighting Irish. On the other hand, Marcus Freeman’s team’s ability to defeat Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs through the run game, defense, and special teams makes this game a hard one to pick. The first semifinal game in the 12-team College Football Playoff history should come down to the wire. Projected Score: Penn State 24, Notre Dame 21

Friday, January 10
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington)
5.Texas (13-2) vs. 8.Ohio State (12-2)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
The Buckeyes and Longhorns will play on Friday in the College Football Playoff semifinals and then open the regular season on August 30th in Columbus against each other. Ohio State enters the Cotton Bowl playing their best football of the season over a month after a fourth consecutive loss to arch rival Michigan. Quarterback Will Howard (630 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT) and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (290 yards and 4 TDs) combined for impressive stats in the first and quarterfinal rounds of the College Football Playoff against Tennessee and avenging their October 12th loss to Oregon. They have avoided turnovers with the help star studded of running back duo TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. With the help of veteran receiver Emeka Egbuka, the Buckeyes offense has become almost unstoppable after putting up a combined 83 points in the first two games of the playoff against two tough defenses, Tennessee and Oregon. The Buckeye defense itself has been fantastic, holding the Volunteer and Duck offenses to a combined 38 points. Former Alabama safety Caleb Downs has been fantastic, putting up 10 tackles, three passes defended, and a forced fumble so far in the playoffs. Downs’ teammate and linebacker Cody Simon had 12 tackles and two sacks during their last two victories. Downs will have to watch out for Matthew Golden, who starred in the Longhorns double overtime win over Arizona State catching seven passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Signal caller Quinn Ewers led his Longhorns on a long drive in the fourth quarter that put them up 24-8 on Arizona State. Following Ewers’ five yard score on the ground, Peach Bowl offensive MVP Cam Skattebo threw a 42-yard touchdown pass on a trick play from his tailback position to receiver Malik McClain. Skattebo adds a two yard touchdown to tie the game. After Texas place kicker Bert Auburn’s potential game winner bonks off the upright, the teams go to overtime. Skattebo scores another touchdown in the first overtime, Texas answers with a must get touchdown on 4th and 13 to Matthew Golden from Ewers. Ewers adds a 25-yard pass to tight end Gunnar Helm and pass on the two point conversion to Golden before the Sun Devils fail to score. The Texas defense succumbed to the Sun Devils’ momentum in the fourth quarter. They must get ready to be prepared for the Buckeyes’ offense led by Howard, Egbuka, Henderson, and Judkins. The Longhorns’ defensive backfield, headed by Jim Thorpe award winner Jahdae Barron, Michael Taaffe, and Andrew Mukuba is perfectly set up to limit Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka with the amount of talent. However, they will need help from their defensive line and linebackers, including Liona Lefau and Anthony Hill Jr. A loss by the Longhorns eliminates the SEC from the College Football Playoff and a slip up by the Buckeyes keeps Ryan Day from winning a national championship another season. If Texas can hold up against Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka down the field, they can stay in the game. Projected Score: Ohio State 35, Texas 24