Title: College Football Playoff Semifinals: A Battle for the Ages
The stage is set for an exciting College Football Playoff (CFP) tournament with the semifinals this week, featuring four teams that have navigated the quarterfinals with flying colors. The Orange Bowl will be a battle of the defenses between Penn State and Notre Dame, while the Cotton Bowl will pit Texas against Ohio State.
In the Orange Bowl, Penn State’s top-ranked defense will face a stern test in the form of Notre Dame’s stingy defense. The Nittany Lions’ Abdul Carter, a potential 2025 NFL draft first-round pick, is still nursing an injury, but head coach James Franklin is hopeful he’ll return to action. Meanwhile, quarterback Drew Allar is starting to show the form that made Penn State officials so excited when he was recruited, with a 13.8 yards per pass attempt against Boise State.
Notre Dame, on the other hand, has been excellent on defense, holding Georgia to just one field goal in the first half and limiting Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty to his lowest rushing total of the season. The Irish will be led by quarterback Riley Leonard, who is looking forward to facing Penn State’s defense.
The Cotton Bowl, meanwhile, promises to be a tight game between Texas and Ohio State, two teams that have consistently excelled on the defensive side of the ball. The Longhorns’ focus will be on their underwhelming rushing game, while the Buckeyes’ Will Howard is riding a hot streak with 630 passing yards and five touchdowns in the first two playoff games. Ohio State’s true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has also had an impressive year, with 70 receptions for 1,224 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns.
The stakes are high, not just for the players but also for the coaches. Penn State’s James Franklin and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman have the opportunity to become the first Black coaches to lead their teams to the national championship game. Ohio State’s Ryan Day, meanwhile, is looking to lead his team to the title game for the first time.
The semifinals will provide an exciting and high-stakes spectacle for fans, with the winners advancing to the national championship game on January 20.
