The College Football Playoff semifinals are here, and I couldn’t be more excited about these games. The Orange Bowl features seventh-seeded Notre Dame taking on sixth-seeded Penn State, while the Cotton Bowl pits eighth-seeded Ohio State against fifth-seeded Texas.
In the Orange Bowl, I sense that the game will be a tight battle, while the other one might be more decisive. I’ve got a good track record, going 54-33 in my picks against the spread, and I’m excited to see which of these two teams will come out on top.
Notre Dame has been a fast and physical team built for the CFP, while Penn State has the potential to be a formidable opponent. Both teams have shown resolve in their wins, and I believe one of them will lead to a more decisive victory. Notre Dame has been able to adapt to its roster changes, which has been impressive.
In the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State has been playing the best football in the country, and I believe it will be difficult for Texas to compete. Ohio State’s defense has been strong, and their offense has been aggressive and dynamic. Texas has some issues with its offense, particularly when facing teams that can shut down its run game.
I trust Notre Dame’s ability to execute and lean into its strengths, while I think Ohio State’s defense will be too much for Texas. In the end, I see Ohio State coming out on top in a close game.
Pick: Notre Dame 24, Penn State 20 (Notre Dame -1.5)
Pick: Ohio State 35, Texas 21 (Ohio State -5.5)