The College Football Playoff’s first round was filled with decisive victories throughout the four games. The team that received the most criticism, in particular from SEC fans, the Indiana Hoosiers, lost by the smallest margin on the weekend in their game against Notre Dame.
Each of the home teams held serve in round one, with the Texas Longhorns, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Ohio State Buckeyes moving onto the quarterfinals.
Texas will take on Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Boise State will face Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. Oregon and Ohio State will square off in the Rose Bowl. Notre Dame will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Round two will likely provide more competitive matchups in the College Football Playoff. So, how do the remaining eight teams rank heading into the quarterfinals?
8
Boise State Broncos (12-1)
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Boise State boasts one of the best players in the country in Ashton Jeanty, but will they have enough talent to overcome an impressive Penn State defense in the Fiesta Bowl?
7
Arizona State Sun Devils (11-2)
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Arizona State and star running back Cam Skattebo will take on a Texas defense that finished No. 13 in the nation in rushing yards allowed. It’s a matchup of last year’s Big 12 champion, the Longhorns, and this year’s Big 12 champ, the Sun Devils.
6
Georgia Bulldogs
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Georgia has the defense to make a deep run in the college football playoff, but Gunnar Stockton will be able to lead the offense to a win over a good Notre Dame squad.
5
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1)
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Notre Dame went up 27-3 with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, putting together a dominating performance over the Indiana Hoosiers. They have as good a chance as any to win the whole thing with a good defense and an offense that can make life miserable for opposing defenses.
4
Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2)
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SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings had a really strong season for the Mustangs. He proved to be one of the best young quarterbacks in the nation. And the Penn State Nittany Lions absolutely befuddled him. The Nittany Lions’ defense held him to 20 of 36 passing for 195 yards and one touchdown. Penn State recorded three interceptions, including a pair of pick-sixes. The pass rush was relentless to the tune of three sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
3
Texas Longhorns (12-2)
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The Texas Longhorns put together arguably their best performance of the season in their win over the Clemson Tigers. Texas answered Clemson’s opening drive touchdown with a TD of their own and went on a 21-0 run. They led 28-10 at halftime and after Clemson pulled within seven, Jayden Blue answered with a 77-yard touchdown run to pull away in the fourth.
2
Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2)
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The Ohio State Buckeyes were dominant in their win over the Tennessee Volunteers. Will Howard was an incredible 24 of 29 for 311 yards and two touchdowns and the Buckeyes totaled 473 total yards and averaged 10.3 yards per play.
1
Oregoin Ducks (13-0)
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The Oregon Ducks are the one team that’s made it through the season unscathed. The top seed in the playoff have a rematch coming in the quarterfinals when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
