The debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff is upon us, and after the sector was finalized Sunday, we at the moment are simply days away from arguably the perfect a part of this new format: the first-round video games.
If one have been to hand-pick 4 areas for the first-ever on-campus playoff video games, you would be hard-pressed to pick out a extra entertaining and becoming set of venues. From Happy Valley to South Bend to the Horseshoe in Columbus and DKR in Austin, followers of blue bloods, playoff stalwarts and first timers will flock to a few of the greatest environments within the sport for 4 compelling matchups.
The eight groups who discover themselves right here, in want of not three however 4 wins to safe the game’s final prize, are an intriguing mixture of applications. Several started the yr with title aspirations; others didn’t. Some might have misplaced hope alongside the best way, however due to this new playoff format, they now have an opportunity to show their value as soon as once more on the sector.
Here’s a primary have a look at these first-round matchups. — Paolo Uggetti
Jump to:
Indiana at Notre Dame
SMU at Penn State
Clemson at Texas
Tennessee at Ohio State
When: Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET. TV: ABC/ESPN
Key participant: Kurtis Rourke has been one of many prime quarterbacks within the nation in his first and closing season with the Hoosiers. The Ohio switch from Canada ranks third within the nation with a QBR of 85.7, trailing solely doubtless Heisman finalists Cam Ward (88.0) and Dillon Gabriel (85.6) Rourke has accomplished 70% of his passes and thrown 27 touchdowns with solely 4 interceptions. He now has greater than 10,000 passing yards in his profession. Rourke struggled in Indiana’s lone loss at Ohio State, passing for simply 68 yards with solely eight completions. But he bounced proper again within the regular-season finale, tossing six touchdowns in a 66-0 victory over Purdue.
X issue: After incomes freshman All-America honors, D’Angelo Ponds adopted coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison and have become a first-team All-Big Ten cornerback in his first season for the Hoosiers. Ponds picked off two passes, together with one 67 yards for a landing, in Indiana’s key 31-17 win over Washington in late October. Ponds additionally broke up a cross that was intercepted at Ohio State, which helped preserve the Hoosiers within the recreation by way of halftime. Indiana wants Ponds to be opportunistic in South Bend.
How Indiana wins: The Hoosiers have been the most effective turnover groups within the nation, rating fifth nationally with a turnover margin of 15. Problem is, Notre Dame is tied for second with a turnover margin of 16. Can Indiana pressure the Irish into errors on their residence subject? Rourke has to care for the ball, as he has all yr. But the Hoosiers are going to must give you huge performs defensively to ramp up the stress on Notre Dame. The Irish have but to commit a turnover within the pink zone this season. Getting a pink zone turnover can be big for Indiana to hold round in simply its second matchup towards Notre Dame since 1958. — Jake Trotter
Key participant: Quarterback Riley Leonard hasn’t put up big passing numbers this season, however the Notre Dame passing recreation has grown because the season has progressed. He has thrown 11 of his 16 landing passes within the Irish’s previous 5 video games and has thrown solely two interceptions throughout that span. Leonard’s skill to run (721 yards and 14 touchdowns) is an enormous a part of his repertoire. He additionally has 4 dashing touchdowns in his previous 5 video games. One of the massive variations, although, is that he has not been as fast to tuck the ball and run any time he feels stress and has as a substitute been extra affected person to find open receivers. Leonard, who transferred from Duke and spent the winter and spring recovering from ankle surgical procedure, has seen his command of the Notre Dame offense enhance. He was hampered by some inaccuracy earlier within the season however makes use of his complete assortment of playmakers and spreads the ball round. Eight totally different gamers have 20 or extra targets this season for Notre Dame in its passing recreation, and 9 totally different gamers have caught landing passes up to now 5 video games.
X issue: Without query, one of many keys for Notre Dame if it may make a deep playoff run is the well being of senior defensive sort out Howard Cross III. A preseason All-American, Cross missed the final month of the common season with a left ankle damage. He ought to be quite a bit nearer to full velocity for the beginning of the playoff and offers the Irish a disrupter in the midst of that line of defense and a man who has performed lots of soccer at a excessive stage. Notre Dame’s line of defense immediately turns into extra formidable with the 6-1, 288-pound Cross within the lineup. He hasn’t performed since injuring his ankle throughout the Florida State recreation on Nov. 9 and nonetheless ranks second on the group in tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (4).
How Notre Dame wins: Notre Dame hasn’t had a detailed recreation since beating Louisville 31-24 at residence again on Sept. 28. The home-field benefit ought to be a significant component for the Irish, and getting forward early within the recreation would solely make it tougher on Indiana, which has scored 40 or extra factors in eight of its 12 video games this season. Playing with the lead would permit Notre Dame to play its fashion of offense, with Leonard maintaining Indiana off stability utilizing a mix of working and passing. The Irish have thrown it greater than 30 occasions in a recreation solely twice all season, and a kind of occasions got here within the 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. So shortening the sport, placing collectively sustained drives and maintaining the Hoosiers’ explosive offense off the sector is the perfect pathway for the Irish to advance. — Chris Low
When: Dec. 21, midday ET. TV: TNT/Max
1:46
SMU’s Rhett Lashlee prepared to arrange to face Penn State
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee explains what it was like ready to search out out if his group had made the College Football Playoff.
Key participant: Ever since coach Rhett Lashlee determined to go along with quarterback Kevin Jennings because the starter in Week 4, the Mustangs offense has been on a distinct stage. The 34-31 loss to Clemson within the ACC championship recreation was his first defeat as a starter. Despite two early turnovers — a misplaced fumble and an interception — he led the Mustangs all the best way again to tie the sport with 16 seconds left earlier than shedding on the ultimate play. Jennings threw for 304 yards towards the Tigers — his fourth 300-yard passing recreation. But what opposing coaches rave about is his skill to make off-schedule performs and the rhythm he has along with his receivers, notably when he scrambles exterior the pocket.
X issue: If there’s one space that Lashlee upgraded in SMU’s transfer from Group of 5 to Power 4 it’s the defensive entrance and it has paid off dividends — notably with a gaggle of transfers he acquired from Miami. Multiple ACC coaches pointed to Jared Harrison-Hunte because the difference-maker on the inside of the SMU line of defense. In the common season, Harrison-Hunte had 35 tackles, six tackles for loss and 5 sacks and was an All-ACC first-team choice. As with something, controlling the road of scrimmage is massively essential. In the ACC championship recreation, the Mustangs held Clemson to 64 yards dashing, and Harrison-Hunte had two tackles for loss and a sack.
How SMU wins: The Mustangs must keep away from what occurred in the beginning of the ACC championship recreation — placing itself in an early gap due to turnovers and penalties. They have been probably the most opportunistic groups within the nation however within the loss to Clemson, SMU completed minus-2 within the turnover division. SMU additionally must discover a solution to play higher on its offensive line to have any likelihood, and that may require rolling Jennings out just a bit bit extra to keep away from the kind of rush the Penn State entrance presents. SMU may not be a ground-and-pound sort of group, but it surely does have an electrical again in Brashard Smith to set the tone. — Andrea Adelson
Key participant: Tyler Warren has been a dominant, all-around pressure for the Nittany Lions. The surefire All-America tight finish has six receiving touchdowns, 4 dashing touchdowns and even one passing landing. He’s the go-to playmaker for an improved Penn State offense that ranked twenty fifth nationally, averaging virtually 34 factors per recreation. The Nittany Lions are at their greatest after they get Warren concerned all through the sport. Getting their prime tackle-breaker the ball will probably be paramount for Penn State to search out an offense groove towards an SMU protection that ranks 76th nationally in passing yards allowed after the catch.
X issue: Abdul Carter can wreck offenses for the Nittany Lions. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, who’s a projected first-round choose within the upcoming NFL draft, has 10 sacks and two compelled fumbles. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel mentioned earlier than the Big Ten championship, that it’s a must to know the place Carter always. The Ponies gave up simply 15 sacks all season. Penn State cannot permit dual-threat SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings to take a seat within the pocket and make performs along with his arm or legs like he has all season.
How Penn State wins: After the Big Ten championship recreation, Penn State coach James Franklin joked that he was trying ahead to internet hosting a playoff recreation in “16 inches of snow.” Regardless of whether or not it snows, the wintery circumstances and residential subject of Beaver Stadium ought to be an enormous benefit over SMU, which rolled by way of the ACC common season with out taking part in in an excessively hostile surroundings. If the Nittany Lions can leap on SMU early and get its crowd into the sport, they need to be capable to cruise by way of to the quarterfinals of what was a comparatively favorable total playoff draw. — Trotter
When: Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET. TV: TNT/Max
2:09
How does Steve Sarkisian really feel about Texas’ CFP draw?
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts to his group’s matchup vs. Clemson within the College Football Playoff.
Key participant: It has been a captivating yr watching quarterback Cade Klubnik and his growth. The stats say he has emerged as a top-tier passer, as he has thrown for greater than 3,000 yards, 33 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. His lengthy landing run towards Pitt helped them win that recreation — and would be the low-key purpose the Tigers are locked into the CFP. Without that win over the Panthers, they’d have misplaced a head-to-head tiebreaker with Miami and been not noted of the ACC championship recreation and the 12-team subject. But there are additionally occasions this season when the offense stalls — the identical manner it did within the third quarter of the ACC championship recreation towards SMU. The identical manner it did late towards South Carolina on the finish of the common season. But in his two ACC championship recreation appearances, Klubnik has thrown for 5 mixed touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He rises to the event within the postseason. Now we are going to see what he does in his first playoff look.
X issue: For the Clemson offense to search out the consistency it desires, the Tigers want working again Phil Mafah to be taking part in nicely. Mafah has been coping with a shoulder damage that has hampered him during the last month of the season, curbing his manufacturing. Now, with backup Jay Haynes seemingly out after being carted off within the ACC championship recreation with an damage — the burden of the run recreation will as soon as once more fall to Mafah, who has not had a 100-yard dashing recreation for the reason that first weekend in November. Having two weeks off earlier than taking part in once more will definitely be an enormous assist because the Tigers put together for his or her playoff opponent.
How Clemson wins: Look on the manner Georgia has crushed Texas in two video games this yr. This goes to must be the perfect defensive efficiency of the season for the Tigers to have any shot. That means taking part in higher towards the run, but it surely additionally means ensuring the stress is on up entrance. One participant to observe is defensive finish T.J. Parker, who has been excellent within the second half of the season. — Adelson
Key participant: Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers battled by way of indirect and ankle accidents this season. When Ewers was wholesome, he was fairly good, finishing 66.2% of his makes an attempt for two,665 yards with 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. However, Texas’ offensive line struggled to guard him in two losses towards Georgia. He was sacked 5 occasions and had two turnovers in a 30-15 loss to the Bulldogs at residence on Oct. 19. Then he was sacked six occasions and threw two picks in a 22-19 loss in extra time towards Georgia in Saturday’s SEC championship recreation. If Texas goes to succeed in its potential within the CFP, the offensive line has to provide Ewers sufficient time to get the ball to Matthew Golden and DeAndre Moore Jr., and Ewers has to make higher selections.
X issue: Texas’ protection is an enormous purpose it superior to the SEC championship recreation in its first season within the league, and security Andrew Mukuba was a key addition by way of the switch portal. The Austin native spent three seasons at Clemson earlier than returning to his hometown college. He has 52 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 5 cross breakups and one compelled fumble this season. Mukuba almost delivered the most important play of the SEC championship recreation when he leveled Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton on a designed run in extra time, however Stockton was in some way capable of maintain onto the ball. Mukuba can flip momentum with a game-changing play on protection.
How Texas wins: The Longhorns will advance to the CFP quarterfinals in the event that they get again to counting on the bottom recreation and working over opponents. Texas ran for 251 yards in a 31-14 win over Kentucky and 243 in a 17-7 victory at Texas A&M. In their loss to Georgia in Atlanta, nonetheless, the Longhorns had solely 31 yards on 28 makes an attempt (they misplaced 27 yards on six sacks). Ewers threw the ball 46 occasions. Texas all however deserted the working recreation contained in the Bulldogs’ 30-yard line. Star left sort out Kelvin Banks Jr. missed the sport with a sprained left ankle, however he ought to be good to go after a few weeks’ relaxation. — Mark Schlabach
When: Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET. TV: ABC/ESPN
1:07
Ryan Day shifting ahead after Michigan loss
Ohio State coach Ryan Day explains the significance of shifting on from the Michigan loss and preparing for the College Football Playoff.
Key participant: Much of the eye within the offseason centered round quarterback Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee’s passing recreation, however working again Dylan Sampson has been the centerpiece of the Vols’ offense. Coach Josh Heupel has at all times had a very good working recreation. Tennessee has averaged at the least 200 yards per recreation on the bottom in all 4 of his seasons, however Sampson has carried the Vols’ offense at occasions this season. His 22 dashing touchdowns are a college document in a season, and he ranks sixth nationally with an SEC-leading 1,485 dashing yards. Sampson can be lots motivated. He was snubbed within the Doak Walker Award voting for the highest working again within the nation and did not even make the listing of finalists. The 5-foot-11, 201-pound junior was as sturdy as he was constant. He had 10 100-yard dashing video games and misplaced solely 24 yards in 256 dashing makes an attempt. He’s a kind of backs who’s at all times getting a number of extra yards than it appears like he ought to and was at his greatest towards SEC competitors this season with 1,058 yards in eight video games.
X issue: Tennessee struck gold within the switch portal when it landed cornerback Jermod McCoy from Oregon State. A real sophomore, McCoy has made an already deep and gifted Tennessee line of defense much more efficient along with his skill to match up with the opposite group’s greatest receiver and preserve him at bay, which will probably be important towards Ohio State’s assortment of gifted wideouts. McCoy is tied for the SEC lead with 4 interceptions. He additionally has 9 cross breakups and is a positive tackler for a cornerback. He’s third on Tennessee’s group with 39 complete tackles. What McCoy does greatest is make performs in key conditions, like serving to the Vols’ protection get off the sector on third down or altering the complexion of a recreation with a well timed breakup. It’s at all times good to have a safety blanket within the defensive backfield while you’re taking part in towards offenses that may strike rapidly.
How Tennessee wins: At the highest of the listing is taking part in higher and with extra poise on the street. The Vols have been lights-out at residence below Heupel however have been unable to constantly ship their A-game (and even B-game) in true street environments, notably towards higher groups. That clearly has to alter in Columbus, particularly with it being an evening recreation. The depth and expertise in Tennessee’s line of defense ought to be key on this recreation, and creating some brief fields for the offense by forcing turnovers would assist take a few of the stress off Iamaleava, who performed a few of his greatest soccer the previous few video games. But this is one other check towards a high quality group. He accounted for simply 9 touchdowns and turned the ball over six occasions in eight SEC video games. He definitely does not must go win this recreation by himself, however hitting some explosive performs within the passing recreation — which implies the safety must be sturdy and receivers must get open — would be the distinction for the Vols as they go towards an Ohio State protection that’s second nationally in yards per play allowed (4.1). — Low
Key participant: Jeremiah Smith is likely one of the most electrical true freshman vast receivers in latest faculty soccer historical past. The Big Ten Freshman and Receiver of the Year shattered Ohio State’s true freshman receiving data set by Cris Carter in 1984. Even on a gifted Ohio State offense stacked with different playmakers, Smith has stood out, particularly along with his acrobatic, one-handed landing grabs. The Buckeyes went away from Smith within the gorgeous 13-10 loss to Michigan, as he obtained simply two targets — and just one catch for 3 yards — after halftime. They want to return to him early and sometimes towards Tennessee in the event that they’re to rebound from the demoralizing Michigan defeat and make a playoff run.
X issue: Through Ohio State’s first 11 video games, quarterback Will Howard — a Kansas State senior switch — was every thing the Buckeyes might’ve hoped for. But towards Michigan, Howard struggled, because the Buckeyes failed to attain within the second half of a recreation for the primary time in 13 years. Howard nonetheless ranks sixth nationally with a QBR of 83.0. But he must be a lot sharper — and, most particularly, restrict the massive errors and expensive turnovers — if the Buckeyes are going to place the Michigan loss up to now and contend for a nationwide championship.
How Ohio State wins: The Buckeyes have the expertise to go on a run and win the nationwide championship. Had they not misplaced to Michigan, they could have gained the Big Ten and earned the highest total seed. Instead, Ohio State dropped a fourth straight recreation to the Wolverines, placing huge stress on coach Ryan Day and Ohio State’s veteran gamers to rebound and play as much as their potential. Ohio State can bypass an elite Tennessee line of defense by way of the air with its gifted wideouts. But the Buckeyes cannot fall into the lure of sticking with the working recreation if it is not working, like they did towards the Wolverines. — Trotter
