The College Football Playoff has broadened its scope to include 12 teams, seeking to introduce fresh competitors into the mix. However, the ultimate four teams drawn into this year’s semifinals are all established powerhouses in college football history.
The semifinal matchups pit Penn State against Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on January 9 and Texas against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10. Each of these four teams is part of an elite group of eight collegiate programs, each boasting at least 900 wins over their storied histories. According to NCAA records, Ohio State holds the second spot with 976 victories, while Notre Dame and Texas are tied for fourth with 961 wins each, and Penn State ranks seventh with 943 wins.
Collectively, these programs have secured a remarkable 18 national championships since the inception of Associated Press rankings in 1936. Notre Dame leads with eight titles, followed by Ohio State with five, Texas with three, and Penn State with two championships.
Analyzing the semifinals through various statistics reveals some intriguing insights:
The series record shows Texas leads with a 2-1 advantage against Ohio State, marking their first clash since 2009. They are scheduled to rekindle their rivalry at the start of the 2025 season on August 30 in Columbus.
In the match between Notre Dame and Penn State, the series is closely contested with a record of 9-9-1, also their first encounter since 2007.
When it comes to total defense, the rankings position Ohio State first with an average of 244.6 yards allowed per game, followed by Texas (277.7), Penn State (288.8), and Notre Dame (295.4).
Conversely, the total offense rankings reveal Texas at 17th nationally with an average of 443.9 yards per game, closely trailed by Penn State (436.3), Ohio State (432.5), and Notre Dame (406.6).
Ohio State stands out for allowing only four passes of over 40 yards, the fewest in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
The semifinals also feature an impressive lineup of individual honors, with six national award recipients. Notable mentions include Seth McLaughlin from Ohio State, who received the Rimington Trophy for being the top center, and Tyler Warren from Penn State winning the John Mackey Award for the best tight end. Other notable athletes include Nick Dawkins of Penn State, Kelvin Banks, Jahdae Barron, and Colin Simmons from Texas, who have also been recognized for their exceptional performances.
Additionally, Notre Dame boasts a noteworthy streak with nine consecutive wins in neutral-site games, the best in the FBS.
Xavier Watts, a two-time AP first-team All-American safety for Notre Dame, leads the nation with 13 interceptions since 2023, while Texas College quarterback Quinn Ewers has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 26 consecutive games, representing the longest such streak in the FBS.
For Penn State, Tyler Warren has set a record among Power Four tight ends with 98 receptions. Texas has achieved a milestone with 102 scrimmage plays resulting in gains of at least 20 yards, making them the only team to surpass the 100-mark.
Additionally, Bert Auburn from Texas has impressively made 173 consecutive extra-point attempts since 2021. Ohio State’s second and third-quarter performance has seen them outscore opponents 239 points to 87, the largest margin in the FBS.
Notably, Penn State is unique among FBS squads for having two running backs amass over 1,000 yards; Kaytron Allen with 1,026 yards and Nicholas Singleton with 1,015 yards, highlighting their depth and offensive capabilities.
As fans and analysts prepare for this exciting playoff season, all eyes will be on these storied programs battling for a chance at the championship title.
