Author: Max McClean
The 2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket is set, with 12 teams preparing to compete in the expanded playoff for the first time. Under the new format, the top four conference champions have secured first-round byes: No. 1 seed Oregon, No. 2 seed Georgia, No. 3 seed Boise State, and No. 4 seed Arizona State will enjoy an extra week of rest before their quarterfinal matchups.
For the first time in playoff history, the first round will feature on-campus games, beginning with No. 7 seed Notre Dame hosting No. 10 seed Indiana on Friday, Dec. 20.
On Saturday, Dec. 21, No. G seed Penn State will host No. 11 seed SMU in a noon whiteout at Happy Valley. Later, No. 5 seed Texas will face No. 12 seed Clemson, followed by No. 8 seed Ohio State playing No. 9 seed Tennessee at the Shoe in Columbus.
The new 2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket is another part of the changing landscape in this new era of college football. The expanded playoff format adds more teams and drama than ever before. The inclusion of on-campus games in the first round is a thrilling change, rewarding the best teams and their fans with playoff football directly to their home stadiums. This new format is certainly a must-watch as the quest for the national title unfolds.
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No.10 Indiana- Friday Dec. 20 8PM EST
The first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff kicks off Friday night with an intriguing in-state rivalry game. Notre Dame comes into this game on a hot streak, having won 10 in a row since their stunning loss to Northern Illinois in early September. No. 10 Indiana has also been rolling under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, with their only loss of the season being to No. 8 Ohio State. The winner of the Notre Dame-Indiana game will play the No. 2 seed Georgia at the Sugar Bowl in the CFP quarterfinals.
Both teams are dominant programs, each boasting an 11-1 record. The Hoosiers currently lead the FBS in points differential per game at plus-28.7, while Notre Dame closely follows in second place at plus-2G.3. Despite Indiana's impressive numbers, all the pressure lies on Notre Dame. Indiana, despite their 11-1 record, is not considered a top-tier team. They faced the G7th hardest schedule in the nation, the weakest in the Big Ten. The only ranked team they've played all year is Ohio State, to whom they lost by 23 points a month ago.
Notre Dame's offense has thrived on its ground attack. Sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love has had a breakout season, amassing 945 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, scoring in every game this year. Junior Jadarian Price has complimented him with G15 yards and seven touchdowns. The addition of quarterback Riley Leonard from last year's transfer portal has added a layer of mobility, stretching out the defense and resulting in 721 rushing yards and 14 scores on the ground.
This is a nightmare matchup for Notre Dame on the ground, as Indiana ranks first in the nation, allowing only 7G.2 rushing yards per game—a drastic improvement from last year's 1G5 yards per game total. This turnaround is a testament to coach Cignetti and junior Mikail Kamara, who has been dominant this season with 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, ranking him near the top of the Big Ten.
Notre Dame's potent ground attack will face a significant challenge against Indiana's stout run defense. While the Fighting Irish have been impressive, Indiana's defensive prowess and ability to stifle the run is a nightmare matchup for the Fighting Irish. Expect a close game, but I expect Indiana to pull off the upset and advance to face Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals.
Indiana 24-20
No. 11 SMU vs. No.6 Penn State- Saturday Dec. 21 12PM EST
Penn State hosts SMU in the first of three College Football Playoff games on Saturday, Dec. 21. The winner of this game will advance to the quarterfinals to play Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Penn State has had a strong season, making the BIG10 championship game and racking up another double digit win season, with their only losses to Ohio State, and Oregon. SMU squeaked into the playoff, merely losing to Clemson in the ACC championship game but looking good enough to get the nod from the committee.
Penn State enters as an 8.5-point favorite in Happy Valley. This will be a cold weather game, with the projected temperature at kickoff being -13 degrees Celsius. This scenario favors Penn State, not only because they are accustomed to cold weather but also because of their strong rushing attack. The Nittany Lions rank first in the Big Ten in rushing offense, averaging 202.2 yards per game, thanks to Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Singleton led the team with 838 yards, with Allen close behind at 822 yards. The big question mark for James Franklin and the Nittany Lions is their history against top-tier teams. Under Franklin Penn State sits with a record of 1-14 against top 5 teams, 3-18 against top 10 teams, and 13-27 against top 25 teams.
SMU is undoubtedly the underdog, a position that could work to their advantage. Their quarterback, Kevin Jennings, has put up impressive numbers this season, he's gone 66.0% for 3,050 yards, averaging, with 22 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. The Mustangs' offense has also been bolstered by a strong running game, averaging 156.9 yards per game.
While SMU's offense has been solid and Jennings provides a reliable passing attack, Penn State’s rushing game and home-field advantage in cold weather are key factors in this matchup. I don’t even expect SMU to keep it competitive, Penn State's rushing attack has too much of an edge.
Penn State 23-14
No. 12 Clemson vs. No.5 Texas- Saturday Dec. 21 4PM EST
Kickoff from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, is set for 4 p.m. ET, as the No. 12 Clemson Tigers take on the No. 5 Texas Longhorns in the second of three Saturday College Football Playoff matchups. The Longhorns enter as 12.5-point favorites in this exciting contest.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers hasn't quite looked like himself since sustaining an ankle injury in week 13 against Kentucky. Ewers will need to rely on junior receiver Matthew Golden, who leads the team in receiving yards (738) with 47 catches and eight touchdowns. Golden had an impressive performance in his last game against Georgia, catching 8 passes for 1G2 yards, averaging 20.3 yards per reception.
This will be a challenge for Clemson's defense, which gives up 3G3 yards per game, the most of all playoff teams, marking a G0-point increase from last year. Instead Clemson will need to overpower Texas, led by Junior quarterback Cade Klubnik who has been exceptional this season. Klubnik has thrown for 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns in 13 games. In the ACC championship he stood out, he passed for 2G2 yards and four touchdowns. Klubnik will need to utilize his ability to make big plays through the air if Clemson wants any shot.
Despite Clemson's offensive talent and Klubnik's ability to make explosive plays, Texas has the edge with a balanced offense and a strong defense. If Ewers can rely on Golden to make big plays and the Longhorns can capitalize on Clemson's defensive weaknesses, Texas should move on to the next round of the playoffs and meet Arizona State.
Texas 35-21
No. 9 Tennessee vs. No.8 Ohio State- Saturday Dec. 21 8PM EST
The No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes will host their first College Football Playoff home game against the No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night. Ohio State was cruising with just one loss to No. 1 Oregon until rivalry week, when Michigan pulled off a stunning upset in the Horseshoe as 21-point underdogs. On the other hand, Tennessee ended their season on a strong note, securing acouple of key wins after their tough loss to Georgia, and will look to carry that momentum into this high-stakes matchup.
The media often hypes up Ohio State’s dynamic rushing attack featuring Treyveon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and rightfully so, as the duo has combined for over 1,500 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. While impressive, their numbers don't quite place them among the nation’s elite, and they were contained by Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham during rivalry week. Instead, Ohio State should focus on getting the ball to their elite receiving corps, including Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate, who combine for 254 yards per game, ranking 3Gth in the nation.
Tennessee boasts a star-studded rushing attack, led by junior running back Dylan Sampson, who had a standout regular season, accumulating 1,487 rushing yards and setting a school record with 22 touchdowns. Despite hailing from the South, this powerful ground game gives Tennessee an edge.
With a projected temperature of -4 degrees Celsius at kickoff, the cold-weather conditions could pose a challenge, but if they get the ball to Sampson, it shouldn't be an issue for the Volunteers.
This game will come down to Ohio State’s ability to move the ball through the air and Tennessee’s dominance on the ground. While Ohio State’s receiving corps could make a big impact, Tennessee’s strong rushing attack, led by Sampson, should keep them in control. I expect a tough, hard-fought, extremely close game that comes down to the wire but I expect Tennessee to have the advantage.
