The first 12-team College Football Playoff field was revealed on Sunday. Below are Patrick Weider’s thoughts on each game, along with his prediction.
Top 4 Teams
These teams earn first-round byes.
1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Boise State
4. Arizona State
Weider’s Notes
- No surprises with these four teams. All four deserve a bye. They earned it by playing competitive schedules and winning their conferences.
- I think Oregon is the favorite to win it all.
Seeds 8 and 9
Winner of #8 vs. #9 plays #1 (Oregon)
8. Ohio State
9. Tennessee
- This should be a fun game between teams with two losses.
- Both teams have great defenses and quarterbacks that are up and down.
Weider’s Prediction: Ohio State 30, Tennessee 21
Ohio State getting the home game is huge in this matchup. Tennessee has two losses on the year, and both were on the road at Arkansas and Georgia. Ryan Day might be coaching for his job, so I expect an inspired performance from the Buckeyes.
Tennessee indeed got the nightmare draw.
At Ohio State. Winner plays Oregon.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) December 8, 2024
Seeds 5 and 12
Winner of #5 vs. #12 plays #4 (Arizona State)
5. Texas
12. Clemson
- Texas is a huge favorite in this game as they have been the better team all year.
- Clemson has an uphill battle to march into Austin and win this game.
Weider’s Prediction: Texas 35, Clemson 17
Texas is one of the most talented teams in the country, and Clemson has been up and down all year despite winning the ACC Championship. I think Texas rolls in this game.
Clemson and Texas in 1st rd of CFP. A lot of interesting storylines:
– Cade Klubnik returns to Austin
– Several of his Westlake teammates are on the Texas roster
– QB duel part 2 between Klubnik and Quinn Ewers following 2020 state championship game— Mike Roach (@MikeRoach247) December 8, 2024
Seeds 6 and 11
Winner of #6 vs. #11 plays #3 (Boise)
6. Penn State
11. SMU
- Penn State lacks a signature win this season, but they played their best game of the year against Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, even though it was a loss.
- SMU battled back to tie the game in the ACC Championship, only to lose to Clemson on a 56-yard field goal.
Weider’s Prediction: Penn State 30, SMU 24
SMU is a good team that should be able to keep it close, but I think Penn State will find a way to get the win.
Penn State vs. SMU
The first-ever playoff game in Beaver Stadium.#WeAre x @CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/Gxuv745Txq
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 8, 2024
Seeds 7 and 10
Winner of #7 vs. #10 plays #2 (Georgia)
7. Notre Dame
10. Indiana
- This battle of Indiana programs should be an interesting matchup.
- I think Notre Dame is the stronger team and should take care of business.
Weider’s Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Indiana 20
Notre Dame has a good defense, and they run the ball well on offense. Indiana played an extremely soft Big Ten schedule, so they are not as battle-tested as Notre Dame.
Notre Dame v Indiana in the first ever #CFBPlayoff is an all-time historic moment for football in the great state of Indiana.
I’d sell my house to be inside Notre Dame stadium on December 20th 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uV1AtLg3dI
— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) December 8, 2024
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