While there were no upsets, the much anticipated first round of the College Football Playoff did not disappoint, delivering three highly entertaining games, after Notre Dame had defeated Indiana, as Texas, Ohio State, and Penn State secured convincing wins to advance to the quarterfinals.
Texas Outlasts Clemson, 38-24.
In a prime time thriller in Austin, the Texas Longhorns demonstrated why they are playoff contenders, overpowering Clemson 38-24. Returning to his hometown, having grown up just ten minutes from Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik started confidently, orchestrating a 12-play drive capped by a touchdown to Antonio Wilson. Texas, ominously, responded with authority.
The Longhorns' dominant offensive line sprung Texas backs Jaydon Blue and Quintreveon Wisner frequently to set the tone, the pair combining for 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns, two apiece. Quarterback Quinn Ewers appeared to have shaken off his niggling ankle injury and completed his first seven passes to lead Texas a 28-10 halftime lead. Jaydon Blue’s electrifying 77-yard touchdown sealed the game in the fourth quarter, while Texas’s defense delivered a critical late-game goal-line stand to turn the ball over on downs and effectively snuff out Clemson's playoff hopes.
The Longhorns advance to the Peach Bowl, where they will face Big 12 champions Arizona State. Clemson put up a gritty performance and gave Texas some anxiety late on, Klubnik threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, but the Tigers registered just 76 rushing yards, hurt by Phil Mafah's injury, and not enough to put them into the quarterfinal.
Ohio State Dominates Tennessee, 42-17.
In chilly conditions at Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes put their disappointing loss to arch rivals Michigan behind them to overwhelm Tennessee with a crushing performance on both offense and defense. The 25 degree conditions were the coldest Tennessee have played in their history.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard opened with a precise strike to the impressive freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith, who went over 1,000 receiving yards for the season and the Buckeye defense, led by JT Tuimolau and Jack Sawyer, punished Tennessee's freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who looked like he was running for his life at times. Iamaleava's helmet was cracked with one hit. The Volunteers managed just -6 offensive yards in the first quarter, while Ohio State scored touchdowns on their first three possessions.
While Tennessee showed some fight in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 21-10, Ohio State responded decisively. Smith added his second touchdown, a 22-yard reception from Howard and TreVeyon Henderson sealed the victory with a 24-yard fourth-quarter score, his second of the game.
While Iamaleava's gutsy showing, running in two touchdowns having been sacked four times, was impressive given the amount of pressure he faced from the Buckeyes’ relentless attack. Ohio State looked like a markedly different team to the one that capitulated against Michigan, marching confidently to the Rose Bowl where they face Oregon in a tantalising rematch.
Penn State Rolls Over SMU, 38-10.
At Beaver Stadium, Penn State capitalised on a white-hot environment to crush Southern Methodist University, 38-10. Linebackers Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas stole the show early, each returning interceptions for touchdowns. With the Mustangs reeling, Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton took over, combining for 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
SMU’s quarterback Kevin Jennings found himself under relentless pressure, throwing three first-half interceptions and struggling to find a rhythm. He looked lost at times. Despite a late touchdown, SMU never threatened Penn State’s commanding lead. With a balanced offense and ferocious defense, who reduced SMU to just 58 total rushing yards, the Nittany Lions now prepare for a Fiesta Bowl showdown against Boise State.
What’s Next?
Texas, Ohio State, and Penn State join Notre Dame in advancing to the quarterfinals.
Here's the line up:
Penn State vs. Boise State
Fiesta Bowl - State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona.
Penn State start as 11-point favourites against an exciting Boise State team featuring Ashton Jeanty, the best running back in college football. Jeanty needs 132 rushing yards to break Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.
Can the Broncos' offensive line hold off Abdul Carter and the Penn State defensive attack to release Jeanty? Penn State will hope their strong rushing game gives Drew Allar the platform to go to tight end Tyler Warren, who has 1,095 rushing yards this season.
Texas vs. Arizona State
Peach Bowl - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.
Expect plenty of points here, with both teams averaging 33 points per game this season. Texas has one of the best defenses in college football, allowing opponents just 104 rushing and 177 passing yards per game. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo could be the man to put the Longhorns' defense under pressure. Skattebo has racked up 2,074 yards of offense this season of which 1,568 were on the ground where he has run in 19 touchdowns.
Texas struggled with Georgia's running backs this season in their only two losses, which should give the Sun Devils some hope.
I would expect Texas to live up to their 13-point advantage set by the bookmakers, with Quinn Ewers and the potent Longhorns offense pulling away from Arizona State late in the game.
Georgia vs. Notre Dame
Sugar Bowl - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana.
The headline going into this Big Ten rematch is Georgia's quarterback Gunner Stockton's elevation to the starting job following Carson Beck's elbow surgery which rules him out for the rest of the season. As big a loss to Notre Dame is the absence of Rylie Mills with a knee injury. The defensive lineman racked up 7.5 sacks this season.
Georgia start as slight favourites against a Notre Dame team with a strong running game (Jeremiyah Love has 1,057 rushing yards) but with a passing game needing improvement to see off the perennial national championship contenders. The Bulldogs will rely on Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier to settle Stockton into the game so he can establish Georgia's passing attack.
Oregon vs. Ohio State
Rose Bowl - Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California.
One point separated these two Big Ten powerhouses in Oregon's home win against an Ohio State that will be seeking revenge at the historic Rose Bowl. Both teams average 36 points per game and shared 63 points in their 12th October meeting in Eugene.
For all the hype that has surrounded the Buckeyes splashy free agency signings, the hire of Chip Kelly and emergence of their superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Oregon conversely have gone about their business quietly, efficiently and ruthlessly. They have emerged from their first season in the Big Ten with the conference title, No.1 national ranking and an unbeaten record. Dillon Gabriel is arguably the best quarterback in college football and supported by the outstanding receiver Tez Johnson and running back Jordan James, who has run for 1,253 yards this season.
We could see a repeat of the one-point winning margin and it's too close to call.
This expanded College Football Playoff has already delivered memorable moments, with the best likely yet to come, starting this weekend.
Across The Pond College Football
In the latest episode of our Across The Pond College Football podcast, Tony and I recap an electric first round of the College Football Playoff.
We break down all the action, share our takes on the key plays and standout performances, and gear up for the next round—highlighted by Oregon State’s clash with Ohio State. Tony’s especially fired up for this one, as he’s heading to The Rose Bowl to soak up the action in person.
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