Predicting the CFB Playoff Semifinal

Well, it won’t be Oregon winning the national championship this season. And every time you turn around someone wants to talk to you about the Rose bowl or are posting about it. I wonder if that would still be the case had Oregon won? But they got blown out by Ohio State and thus we move on.

The college football playoff will finally feature some good games this week. It all kicks off Thursday night when Notre Dame takes on Penn State. The Cotton Bowl is currently scheduled for Friday however there seems to be a lot of concern about the weather heading for Dallas.

I think we have two great games ahead. And as was expected, the cream still rose to the top. Yes it stings that Oregon is not included but that’s how it goes. There are four really good teams still competing for a national championship.

Who do I think will win it? Well that’s a really good question to ask after these two games. But for now, if Ohio State continues to play the way they have the last two weeks, they look really good. Which continues to make you wonder how Michigan beat them.

Orange Bowl: Notre Dame vs Penn State (Thursday)

4:30 PM PST — ESPN

This should be a really good game. As I alluded to above, I’m anticipating two solid games in the semifinal. But this one has a chance to be a last minute, field goal winning type of game. At first I was not giving Notre Dame credit and let’s be honest, not many were. But the Irish have played consistently solid ball on both sides of the ball. Riley Leonard hasn’t been amazing but he’s been steady and only thrown 6 INT’s this season.

On the flip side, Penn State feels like they are playing their best ball right now. The pass game has opened up and Drew Allar is playing as well as any quarterback out there. I know pass-rush extraordinaire Abdul Carter is battling an injury but I expect him to play.

This is your vintage, run-first game with some clock control and whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game.

But I’m going to give Notre Dame the edge in this one.

Notre Dame 33-28

Cotton Bowl: Ohio State vs Texas (Friday)

4:30 — ESPN

Man it’s really hard to know what we’ll get in this one. I continue to believe the best team we’ve seen so far in the playoffs is Ohio State. They have blasted both opponents and took revenge on Oregon in the Rose bowl with a full-on assault. Jeremiah Smith talks the talk but also backs it up with his play on the field. It’s clear Texas can not play man against him as Oregon attempted to do, and failed. If Chip Kelly stays in his bag like he did last week, Ohio State will put up 40.

Texas is the second most talented team in terms of NFL draft talent. Only trailing Ohio State. Both teams have some of the last ‘super rosters’ in college football with loads of experience. And not to mention this is somewhat of a home game for Texas. That right there is why I think this one ends up closer than it ought to be.

Give me the Buckeyes in a close one.

Ohio State 41-34