The College Football Playoff Selection Committee has released its final rankings along with the bracket for the inaugural field of 12 teams vying for a national championship in the newly expanded playoff structure later this month. The leading four seeds in the tournament – Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State – have all earned […]
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee has released its final rankings along with the bracket for the inaugural field of 12 teams vying for a national championship in the newly expanded playoff structure later this month.
The leading four seeds in the tournament – Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State – have all earned a bye in the initial round of the tournament and will be gearing up for a game on either New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. They’ll watch from home as the remaining teams face off in the opening round of contests in just under two weeks.
The matchups include: seventh-seed Notre Dame welcoming 10th-seeded Indiana at 8 p.m. ET on December 20, sixth-seeded Penn State hosting 11th-seeded Southern Methodist University at noon ET on December 21, fifth-seeded Texas taking on 12th-seeded Clemson at 4 p.m. ET on December 21 and eighth-seeded Ohio State facing ninth-seeded Tennessee at 8 p.m. ET on December 21.
SMU secures a spot, Alabama gets left out as the committee sends a message
The SMU Mustangs appeared to be on track for a place in the field of 12 despite a devastating defeat in the Atlantic Coast Conference title match against Clemson on Saturday, where the Tigers kicked a 56-yard field goal as time ran out to clinch the victory.
Yet, there was still some apprehension. Could the Mustangs qualify over three-loss Alabama, the historic powerhouse that has only missed the playoffs on two occasions since 2014? By admitting the Mustangs into the playoffs, the committee has established a new standard.
The top four seeds are enjoying their break
Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State, having won their respective conference championships this past weekend, now have the opportunity to rest and recuperate for a few weeks ahead of their quarterfinal games.
Ohio State versus Tennessee is poised to be the star matchup of the opening round
The initial game that caught immediate attention is a clash between college football giants. The Ohio State University Buckeyes and the University of Tennessee Volunteers will face off at 8 p.m. on December 21 in Ohio Stadium. The renowned venue known as “The Horseshoe” has hosted numerous classic games over the years and will create a daunting atmosphere as it concludes the first round – for both teams involved.
Texas has the most straightforward route to a national title
The Longhorns are set to compete against Clemson, the ACC champion and the only three-loss team in the playoff. If Texas triumphs over the Tigers, they will advance to the Peach Bowl to face the Big 12 champion Arizona State, the unexpected fourth team to gain a first-round bye. Following that, Texas will encounter a semifinal showdown with either Oregon, Ohio State or Tennessee. From that point forward, the challenges will certainly increase, as anticipated.
An in-state rivalry in Indiana
There’s often a clear distinction in Indiana’s collegiate sports: Football is adorned in gold while basketball boasts a rich crimson hue. This year, Notre Dame’s golden helmets will face Indiana Hoosiers’ crimson and cream in the opening round, a battle not just for playoff advancement but also for supremacy within their home state. This marks the first meeting between the two teams since 1991.
