
On June 12, 2012, we finally got our first taste of college football after the old BCS system. Four teams would be chosen and the College Football Playoffs were born. That deal was for 12 years. On September 2, 2022, the CFB Board of Managers voted to expand the current four-team playoff into a 12-team playoff. The new system took effect this year and now, here we are.
The selections were announced on December 8th the entire field of 12 teams is set. There are very interesting matchups for the first-round games so it’s time to go over the predictions.
#5 Texas vs #12 Clemson
Clemson won the ACC and got in as the number 12 seed. Texas is one of the most dominant teams in the country and has been very consistent in winning games. This team barely lost the SEC Championship and looks ready to compete right away.
Texas Quarterback Quinn Ewers missed games due to a high ankle sprain. Despite the setback, Ewers threw for 2,665 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, Ewers threw nine interceptions which is a huge concern given the fact he wasn’t able to play in every game this season, which is something the Clemson defense can take advantage of.
The issue is Clemson is outside of the top 50 teams in total defense while Texas is number three in the nation in that category. Clemson is number 12 in total offense and could put up a decent challenge. Texas is number 18 in total offense.
Texas 28 Clemson 17
#7 Notre Dame vs #10 Indiana
The teams of Indiana in an epic game to start the first-ever 12-team playoffs. Notre Dame appears to be the stronger team but Indiana is college football’s version of the “March Madness Cinderella Team”.
Hoosiers Quarterback Kurtis Rourke threw for 2,827 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Rourke minimizes risks and rarely throws interceptions. In fact, Rourke threw just four interceptions this season.
Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarrett caught 49 passes for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. He averages 18.2 yards per reception this season. How will the Notre Dame defense stop him?
Indiana has the number two overall defense just behind Ohio State while Notre Dame has the ninth overall defense. Neither team has had much success overall offensively as Indiana ranked 24th in the nation.
Notre Dame was number 40 in total offense. However, Notre Dame faced a much tougher schedule. Indiana will be at a disadvantage in terms of being prepared for the playoffs.
Notre Dame 20 Indiana 17
#6 Penn State vs #11 Southern Methodist
Southern Methodist almost defeated Clemson so the Mustangs advanced to the first round. The Mustangs travel to the most electric and loud college football venues at Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. The traditional whiteout, which promises to be a deafening group of fans will prove to be too much for SMU.
Penn State has one of the top defenses in the nation though the offense needs to score early and often in this game. Penn State has a reputation for being a linebacker university and this defense creates havoc. Penn State has the sixth overall defense in the nation.
SMU on the other hand is more of a scrappy team. The Mustangs are not particularly good at offense or defense but they did just enough to get here.
Penn State will likely challenge the Mustangs’ defense with the excellent power running game of Nicholas Singleton. He rushed for 838 yards and seven touchdowns. Singleton averaged 6.4 yards per carry.
Penn State 38 SMU 20
#8 Ohio State vs #9 Tennessee
This game looks to be a toss-up. Although Tennessee’s offense had way more success than Ohio State’s, the defense could take over this game. Ohio State has issues with consistent offense due to the two season-ending injuries to top-tier offensive linemen.
The Buckeyes have the playmakers to score early and often but Will Howard will likely face too much pressure from the fourth-best defense in the nation. However, Tennessee’s offense will face relentless pressure from playmakers like Jack Sawyer.
The noise and unrelenting Ohio State defensive line will prove to be too much for Tennessee to handle. This will be a game in which the top-level defenses will have an impact.
Tennessee has one of the top running backs in the game Dylan Sampson but he’s going against a defensive front that stop him in his tracks if he doesn’t get going early. He has 256 carries for 1,485 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Sampson averages 5.8 yards per carry.
Tennessee wide receiver Marquarius “Squirrel” White is one of the top speed threats in football. However, he only caught 33 passes this year. White averaged 11 yards per reception. He may get more opportunities to showcase his skills against the elite secondary of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State 17 Tennessee 14
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