College Football Playoff Semifinals Set: Ohio State Faces Texas, Notre Dame Takes on Penn State
The College Football Playoff semifinals are just around the corner, and we’ve got two exciting matchups to look forward to. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 college football season, with the top four teams in the country battling it out for a spot in the national championship game.
Ohio State vs. Texas: A Clash of Titans
In one of the semifinal matchups, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the Texas Longhorns. The Buckeyes, currently favored to win the championship, have been dominating on offense, with their passing game leading the charge. Quarterback Will Howard has been impressive, throwing for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. He’s got a talented receiving corps to work with, including Jeremiah Smith, who’s been a favorite target for Howard.
However, the Buckeyes will face a tough test against Texas’ secondary, which is considered one of the best in the country. The Longhorns have been stingy on defense, allowing just over 17 points per game this season. They’ve also got a talented pass rush, led by defensive end Billy Walton, who’s got 12 sacks on the season.
Notre Dame vs. Penn State: A Defensive Battle
In the other semifinal matchup, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. This one’s expected to be a defensive battle, with both teams relying on their rushing attacks. Penn State’s Tyler Warren, the John Mackey Award winner, will be a key player to watch, as he’s been dominant in the receiving game. Warren’s got over 900 receiving yards on the season, and he’s a favorite target for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Notre Dame’s safeties, particularly Xavier Watts and Adon Shuler, will need to be on top of their game to contain Warren. The Fighting Irish have been solid on defense, allowing just over 20 points per game this season. They’ve also got a talented rushing attack, led by running back Audric Estime, who’s got over 1,200 rushing yards on the season.
Predictions and Odds
As for predictions, it’s a close call, but some experts are giving the edge to Penn State in their matchup against Notre Dame, 21-20. Others think Notre Dame will take it 23-20. In the Ohio State-Texas game, the Buckeyes’ passing offense might just be too much for the Longhorns to handle. Ohio State is currently favored by 7 points, with the over/under set at 55 points.
College Football Playoff Semifinals Schedule
– Ohio State vs. Texas: December 28, 4:00 PM ET (ESPN)
– Notre Dame vs. Penn State: December 28, 8:00 PM ET (ESPN)
National Championship Game
The winners of the semifinal matchups will face off in the national championship game on January 11, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET (ESPN). The game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as we count down to the College Football Playoff semifinals!
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