College Football Playoff: Predicting the final score of every CFP game, national champion

ESPN released its predictions for every single College Football Playoff game through the national championship now that the bracket is finalized.

It’s the first year of the 12-team playoff so we’ll see four first round games and four quarterfinal games before the traditional semi-finals of the final four teams. First round games will be on campus for the higher seed.

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Without further ado, let’s dive into the playoff predictions from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

First Round: 10. Indiana at 7. Notre Dame

ESPN Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Indiana 21

Notre Dame plays host to the feel good story of the Hoosiers and Curt Cignetti. However, the Irish will be too much in South Bend and advance to quarterfinals to take on Georgia. Good run though IU! Good thing Marcus Freeman used Google.

First Round: 11. SMU at 6. Penn State

ESPN Prediction: Penn State 34, SMU 23

SMU got in despite losing the ACC Championship game but will have to hit the road to State College. Penn State’s lone losses this year are to Ohio State and Oregon and might have a little more overall than the Mustangs. We’ll actually see if this PSU path is as easy as some say.

First Round: 12. Clemson at 5. Texas

ESPN Prediction: Texas 24, Clemson 16

Clemson earned its way into the playoff by beating SMU for the ACC crown. However, the Tigers’ ranking dictated they would get the final seed. Texas lost twice to Georgia this season but is still considered one of the best in the country. They’ll get by here, per ESPN.

First Round: 9. Tennessee at 8. Ohio State

ESPN Prediction: Ohio State 26, Tennessee 19

Arguably the most anticipated game of the first round as Ohio State hosts a game, coming off a bad loss to Michigan. Tennessee has plenty of firepower but the overall talent of the Buckeyes should take over in the end. Ryan Day and crew will get a rematch with Oregon in the next round. 

Quarterfinal at Fiesta Bowl: 6. Penn State vs. 3. Boise State

ESPN Prediction: Penn State 35, Boise State 31

The popular pick, based on their path anyway, is Penn State to get to the semifinals. Unfortunately, Ashton Jeanty won’t be enough for the Broncos against the Nittany Lions. Penn State will await Georgia or Notre Dame

Quarterfinal at Peach Bowl: 5. Texas vs. 4. Arizona State

ESPN Prediction: Texas 33, Arizona State 20

Like Boise State, Cam Skattebo and crew won’t have enough to overcome big bad Texas in this scenario. It’s been a great year for the Sun Devils, but it ends in their first playoff game.

Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl: 8. Ohio State vs. 1. Oregon

ESPN Prediction: Oregon 38, Ohio State 35

The rematch! It didn’t happen in Indianapolis, but it’ll happen out in Pasadena. Oho State is built for the playoff but Oregon is just slightly better this season. The Ducks will advance to the semifinals per ESPN.

Quarterfinal at Sugar Bowl: 7. Notre Dame vs. 2. Georgia

ESPN Prediction: Notre Dame 19, Georgia 17

Our first major playoff upset prediction! Notre Dame can play just as tough and gritty as Georgia. The latter has questions with QB Carson Beck’s injury and Notre Dame is absolutely rolling. That could be the difference in the end as the Irish advance to the semifinals.

Semifinal at Orange Bowl: 7. Notre Dame vs. 6. Penn State

ESPN Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Penn State 26

The Nittany ironically finished ahead of Ohio State again, but will fall short to the Irish, who seemed destined to make a run through the playoff at this point. Good luck stopping Jeremiyah Love out of the Irish backfield.

Semifinal at Cotton Bowl: 5. Texas vs. 1. Oregon

ESPN Prediction: Oregon 31, Texas 21

Texas didn’t win the SEC nor beat Georgia in two matchups this season. But the Longhorns will still get to the playoff semifinals. But that’s where it ends for Steve Sarkisian and crew. Dan Lanning and the Ducks are just humming right now and it’s off to the natty!

National Championship: 1. Oregon vs. 7. Notre Dame

ESPN Prediction: Oregon 38, Notre Dame 27

Oregon will establish itself as the new college football superpower in the 12-team playoff era, per ESPN. The Ducks have too much in their favor and ESPN pegged the QB situation as the primary factor. Without an obvious weakness, Notre Dame might have to win in a shootout. Marcus Freeman and crew will fall short as the Ducks cap off a perfect 16-0 season.