In a surprising turn of events during the College Football Playoff, the lower-seeded teams, ranked 5 through 8, emerged victorious in both the first and second rounds. This unforeseen outcome raises questions about the value of the seeding system when none of the top four teams, each enjoying the perk of a first-round bye, were able to reach college football’s final four.
As it stands, the semifinals are set to showcase exciting matchups: No. 6 Penn State will face No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl next Thursday, while No. 5 Texas will go head-to-head with No. 8 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Friday. Interestingly, the Buckeyes, who hold the lowest ranking among the contenders, are currently favored to win the championship, reflecting their impressive odds of 11-10 as per the BetMGM Sportsbook.
These matchups ensure that a team with historical significance and a storied legacy will claim the championship title in Atlanta on January 20, concluding the inaugural 12-team playoff format. The clash between Penn State and Notre Dame also presents a significant opportunity; either coach James Franklin or Marcus Freeman could make history as the first Black head coach to win a national title at this elite level of college football.
One aspect still missing from this expanded playoff format is a thrilling, high-quality game. Aside from Texas’s double-overtime victory against Arizona State, most playoff contests have ended in lopsided scores.
Here is a closer examination of the four remaining contenders as they head into the semifinals:
**No. 5 Texas (13-2)**
**The Story:** The Longhorns have encountered two defeats against Georgia but boast a perfect record of 13-0 against everyone else.
**The Player:** Receiver Matthew Golden was pivotal against Arizona State, racking up seven receptions for 149 yards, including a touchdown and a critical two-point conversion during the second overtime.
**Money Matters:** Quarterback Arch Manning, the nephew of legendary quarterbacks Peyton and Eli, tops the On3 NIL tracker with $6.6 million, despite serving primarily in a backup role this season where he still managed to secure two wins.
**History’s Mysteries:** Despite having the third-most bowl appearances, Texas hasn’t claimed a national championship since 2005.
**He said it:** “We’re not in awe that, ‘Hey, this is where we are.’ This is where we’re supposed to be,” remarked coach Steve Sarkisian following the Arizona State victory.
**No. 6 Penn State (13-2)**
**The Story:** Coach Franklin’s recent record against ranked teams deteriorated to 3-19 following a loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game, and his struggles against Ohio State are notable with a 1-10 record in that series.
**The Player:** Tight end Tyler Warren has elevated his stock in the NFL draft after scoring two touchdowns from six receptions in a decisive win over Boise State.
**Money Matters:** Quarterback Drew Allar is reportedly earning about $4 million, and although he has committed to returning for his senior year, his performance in the playoffs could influence his decision.
**History’s Mysteries:** Penn State and Notre Dame, once two of the biggest independent programs, have a rich history together, although their only bowl clash resulted in a 20-9 victory for Notre Dame in the 1976 Gator Bowl.
**He said it:** “A lot of college coaches I saw this week were talking about, ‘This is a four-game season.’ It’s not. It’s a one-game season,” emphasized Franklin after winning his first-round game against SMU.
**No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1)**
**The Story:** Following a narrow loss to Northern Illinois earlier this season, the Irish’s championship odds surged to 100-1. Now, with a strong playoff showing, they are ranked at 7-1.
**The Player:** Coach Marty Biagi’s special teams unit made significant contributions, including a kickoff return for touchdown and strategic plays that proved crucial against Georgia.
**Money Matters:** Quarterback Riley Leonard’s earnings are estimated at around $1 million since transferring from Duke.
**History’s Mysteries:** Not since January 1, 1994, has Notre Dame celebrated a significant bowl victory, and the program is eager to capture its first national title since 1988.
**He said it:** “We’ve been here before. Now it’s time to get it fixed… we can, and we will,” said Freeman after the early-season setback against Northern Illinois.
**No. 8 Ohio State (12-2)**
**The Story:** After a disappointing fourth consecutive loss to Michigan, coach Ryan Day faced scrutiny, with his job seemingly hinging on securing a national title.
**The Player:** Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith showcased his talent with 290 yards and four touchdowns during the playoffs, solidifying his reputation as a playmaker.
**Money Matters:** Smith’s financial prospects appear healthy with around $3.7 million in NIL deals.
**History’s Mysteries:** Ohio State claimed the CFP’s first playoff title during Urban Meyer’s tenure, yet has experienced more losses than wins in subsequent playoff appearances since.
**He said it:** “At the end of the day, we wanted to win a national championship, and the way that we got here wasn’t what we expected,” reflected Day following the Oregon victory.
With the highlights of each team’s journey summarized, fans eagerly await the upcoming playoff games that promise to deliver more excitement and history as the championship chase intensifies.
