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Ten years after the first College Football Playoff, we finally get the full experience of an expanded field of 12. Instead of just two semifinals and a championship game, we get three games spread across a 12-hour window that will serve as the first step in deciding a national champion.
The Big Ten will serve as the host location of two games. Penn State fans will welcome SMU with a white out in the stands and there may also be some snow that welcomes the Mustangs. Ohio State hosts Tennessee with the Buckeyes looking to put a loss to Michigan behind them.
The game sandwiched between those two sees Clemson travel to Texas. The Longhorns, like Ohio State, lost their last game before the playoff, while the Tigers enter with the momentum of winning the ACC title two weeks ago against SMU.
The winners will head to the quarterfinals over the New Year’s Day bowls to face a team that has been at home for the first round. But those concerns are for another time. Who are the teams advancing? Our experts weigh in on each of the games Saturday.
Scooby Axson: SMU’s resume was questioned all season, so the Mustangs just don’t want to show up in the playoffs. Their opponent, Penn State, has been a hard-luck loser in big games in recent years. But one thing’s for sure: the Nittany Lions better hope and pray that starting quarterback Drew Allar stays upright and healthy. Penn State 21, SMU 14.
Jordan Mendoza: There’s been plenty of talk about how much of a home-field advantage Penn State will have, but you have to remember this is a Nittany Lions team that continuously fails to win big games. People questioned whether Southern Methodist belonged in the playoff, and the Mustangs defense causes fits for Drew Allar and company. SMU 27, Penn State 23.
Paul Myerberg: The big key for SMU is whether the Mustangs can protect Kevin…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-first-round-100932478.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-12-21 10:09:00
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