AUSTIN, Texas — The revamped College Football Playoff has embraced a traditional approach, showcasing dominating defenses that have propelled the four remaining contenders for the national title.

Fans seeking offensive fireworks may be disappointed this weekend, as the spotlight is on the defenses filled with All-American talent. Teams such as Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame all rank within the top eight national defenses for the current season.

In the Cotton Bowl on Friday night, the No. 8 seed Buckeyes (12-2) will face off against the No. 5 Longhorns (13-2). Ohio State leads the nation in both total and scoring defense, while Texas claims the third and fourth spots in those categories, respectively.

Meanwhile, Thursday night’s Orange Bowl clash will feature the No. 7 Irish (13-1) against the No. 6 Nittany Lions (13-2). Both teams possess formidable run defenses, having effectively contained top runners like Georgia’s and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty during the quarterfinal playoffs.

Ohio State’s quarterback Will Howard, who previously lost three times to Texas while playing for Kansas State, offered his perspective on the Longhorns’ defense, stating, “They got some dudes, man.”

And indeed they do. Texas’ senior cornerback Jahae Barron earned the Thorpe Award for being the nation’s premier defensive back, while edge rusher Colin Simmons boasts nine sacks and garnered the Shaun Alexander Award as the country’s top freshman.

Barron leads a strong, seasoned, and aggressive secondary that has punished opposing receivers and driven a defense that has forced turnovers in 23 consecutive games, a national record. In their recent quarterfinal victory over Arizona State, safety Michael Taaffe delivered a critical hit on a receiver that was reviewed for targeting but ultimately deemed legal, while Andrew Mukuba secured the win with an interception during a tense double-overtime match that concluded with a score of 39-31—marking the most points Texas allowed in a game this year.

“Our defense has excelled throughout the season,” stated Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. “Football isn’t just flag football, it’s a physical sport. We aim to embody this aggressive style while adhering to the rules.”

Next, the Texas secondary must focus on containing freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State, who has shown exceptional skill. “He’s a big baller and a deep threat. I’ll need to be physical against him,” Barron asserted.

The Buckeyes also boast their share of impactful players, including pass rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, along with All-American safety Caleb Downs. Ohio State’s defense has only allowed an average of 12.1 points per game this season, allowing just one player to pass for over 300 yards and only two players to rush for over 100 yards.

During a midseason clash against Oregon, Ohio State suffered a loss largely because Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel had ample time to throw. However, in their rematch at the Rose Bowl, the Buckeyes brought him down eight times, with Tuimoloau and Sawyer each contributing two sacks.

“When we’re executing at a high level, we become a tough team to compete against,” remarked defensive tackle Tyleik Williams of Ohio State. “The team that plays the hardest and executes effectively will prevail.”

In South Florida, Notre Dame and Penn State will exhibit their own brand of toughness. Both units rank within the top 10 nationally for total and scoring defense. Following a resounding victory against Indiana, the No. 7 Irish managed to restrict No. 2 Georgia to a mere 62 rushing yards and 10 points, forcing two turnovers and halting the Bulldogs on all three fourth-down attempts, including a crucial stop inside the Irish ten-yard line.

This success came even with standout defensive tackle Rylie Mills sidelined due to a knee injury suffered against Indiana. Nevertheless, safety Xavier Watts, a two-time AP All-American, remains a key player for the Irish defense, registering six interceptions this season.

On the flip side, Penn State ranks fifth nationally against the run, permitting only 101 yards per game. Their defensive prowess was evident when they held Jeanty to a season-low 104 yards, forcing an early fumble in their quarterfinal matchup against Boise State.

However, Penn State faced an injury setback when All-American defensive end Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, exited early with an upper body injury. Carter leads his team with 11 sacks and ranks second in the FBS with 21.5 tackles for loss. Coach James Franklin expressed optimism about Carter’s potential return, saying, “At this point, I don’t think there’s anything that is stopping him from playing.”