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ScoopDuck Roundtable: Other Games We're Excited For

On3 imageby:Justin Hopkins•12/31/24
on paper (1)
Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. (Photos by Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn (left) and Matt Cashore/Imagn Images (right))

Like many of you, really all of you, I’m hoping for a much better round two of the college football playoff than the first round. It was blowout after blowout and really showed some of the true flaws of the format.

But it looks like we have some pretty strong teams in the playoffs which should make for some better games. Of course we’ll all be watching the Rose bowl but it’s surrounded by two great games as well as the opening game Tuesday night.

Here are the games we are most excited to watch.

Linden Hile: Notre Dame vs Georgia

As far as I see it this is the only other interesting quarterfinal game as Texas vs Arizona State and Penn State vs Boise State both carry double-digit spreads. Shoutout to the playoff format for that one.

Quarterback Carson Beck’s injury plays a big role in this game only having a two-point margin as we don’t really know what we’ll get from backup Gunner Stockton. In the end I don’t think it makes a huge difference and I expect the Bulldogs to win and cover in a physical, low-scoring game. 

Max Torres: Arizona State vs. Texas

I don’t think anybody expected Arizona State to be here before the season. We can’t say the same about Texas. It’s not just the Oregon angle with Kenny Dillingham, but the Sun Devils just play some really good football. Cam Skattebo plays with his hair on fire and is a blast to watch. I’m not expecting Arizona State to win, but a Sun Devils win would mean a ton to that program.

Collin King: Notre Dame vs Georgia

The biggest reason I want to watch this one is because of the two Quarterbacks who haven’t been tested or are inexperienced. Riley Leonard can scramble and has shown occasional flashes of being a solid QB but has never put it together consistently. On the other hand, Gunnar Stockton sat behind Carson Beck who had a very average season for the Bulldogs. If Notre Dame can establish a running attack in this game, whether that be with Love, or Leonard, I believe they have a solid shot to win. Notre Dame’s defense will be tested for sure with two of their best players out for this game, and the rest of the season.

Jhop: Arizona State vs Texas

I’m not sure we’ll see any upsets this weekend although I think Notre Dame has a real shot in that one. But if I could ask for one of all four games (besides Oregon since they’re an underdog) it would be Dilly and the Cinderella story that is ASU. That team is easy to root for and although I don’t expect an upset, I’d love to see it. (Imagine Oregon vs ASU if both won)

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