Unlock the Potential of College Football's 12-Team Playoff
Top Seeds and Key Contenders
At the forefront is the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, who stand alone as the only undefeated team in the field with a remarkable 13-0 record. Their journey to the top seed was marked by a thrilling 45-37 victory over Penn State in the Big Ten Championship. Throughout the season, they showcased their mettle with a hard-fought win against Ohio State and a close call against Boise State. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and running back Jordan James form a potent offensive duo that has the potential to lead Oregon to its first national title. However, their defense showed some vulnerabilities in the Big Ten title game, raising doubts about their capacity to contain elite rushing attacks.
Next up is the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, a team with championship pedigree, having won national titles in 2021 and 2022. Their path to the playoff was not without its challenges, as they suffered a stunning loss to Ole Miss and had a dramatic overtime win against Texas in the SEC title game. Quarterback Carson Beck is the linchpin of Georgia's success, but injuries have affected his performance. If Beck can regain his form, Georgia could be a force to be reckoned with. Nevertheless, their defensive struggles against the run have left analysts with some reservations.
First-Time Playoff Participants
The No. 3 Boise State Broncos are making their first-ever CFP appearance, aiming to prove that they belong among college football's elite. Their success is driven by Ashton Jeanty, one of the top running backs in the nation, and a tenacious defense that has consistently frustrated opponents. Despite a close loss to Oregon, Boise State earned respect by defeating conference rival UNLV twice, including a 21-7 victory in the Mountain West Championship. Boise State's defense will be crucial in keeping them in the hunt, but quarterback Maddux Madsen will need to step up if Jeanty is contained.
The No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils locked in their playoff spot with a dominant win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship. After early setbacks against Texas Tech and Cincinnati, the Sun Devils turned their season around with a significant win over Kansas State. Running back Cam Skattebo has been a force to be reckoned with, and his performance will play a crucial role in determining how far Arizona State progresses. If their running game falters, the Sun Devils may struggle to keep up with the high-powered offenses they will face in the quarterfinals.
First-Round Matchups
One of the most exciting matchups in the first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff will be No. 5 Texas vs. No. 12 Clemson. After holding the No. 1 spot for four weeks, Texas stumbled in the SEC Championship and fell to Georgia. Now, they face a red-hot Clemson team that won the ACC Championship with a last-minute 56-yard game-winner by freshman kicker Nolan Hauser. Texas will need Quinn Ewers to be more careful with the ball, while Clemson's defense, which excels at creating turnovers, will look to force mistakes.
The No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions take on the No. 11 SMU Mustangs. Penn State enters with just two losses, both to top-ranked teams, Oregon and Ohio State. Quarterback Drew Allar must lead a balanced attack, and Penn State's defense will need to contain Kevin Jennings, SMU's underrated quarterback. The Mustangs came close to winning the ACC title but were denied by Clemson. To emerge victorious, SMU will need their offense to match Penn State's physical defense.
In a historic matchup, No. 7 Notre Dame will host No. 10 Indiana. Notre Dame's path to the playoff included a dominant win over USC and a strong finish to the season. However, their early-season loss to Northern Illinois raised some eyebrows. Indiana, on the other hand, is making its first-ever playoff appearance, going 10-1 and shocking the Big Ten with wins over Nebraska and Michigan. Indiana will rely on quarterback Kurtis Rourke to make big plays, but Notre Dame's defense is designed to force turnovers, making this a potential nightmare for the Hoosiers.
Finally, No. 8 Ohio State faces No. 9 Tennessee in one of the most anticipated first-round games. After a shocking loss to rival Michigan, Ohio State's playoff hopes were in jeopardy, but they managed to secure their spot. Quarterback Will Howard has been inconsistent, and the loss to Michigan exposed weaknesses in the Buckeyes' rushing defense. Tennessee's standout moment came in their win over Alabama when they shut down Jalen Milroe in the final quarter. This battle could hinge on whether Ohio State's offense can avoid slow starts that have plagued them throughout the season.