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The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff started with a whimper as the first round delivered four games decided by double-digits, sparking furious debate over the selection and seeding criteria. But as the bracket began to weed out the imposters, the game quality improved sharply.
Three of the four quarterfinal matchups were competitive into the second half, and one of them was an instant classic as Texas outlasted Arizona State in double-overtime after a memorable rally from the Sun Devils. That led into a pair of semifinal matchups that delivered in memorable fashion.
Ohio State’s 28-14 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas is forever defined by a heroic late-game stand from the Buckeyes’ defense marked by a legendary play from an a quintessential Ohio State player. Not to be outdone, Notre Dame’s 27-24 Orange Bowl win over Penn State was a back-and-forth affair that kept viewers engaged until the end.
As we reflect on a historic postseason, here is a posthumous ranking of the 11 games that comprised the expanded CFP.
1. Texas 39, Arizona State 31 (Quarterfinal)
When a player from the losing team is named a game’s MVP, it’s typically an indication that something wacky transpired. That was certainly the case in the Peach Bowl as Cam Skattebo did everything possible to will Arizona State back from a 24-8 deficit in the fourth quarter. He was a runner, passer and receiver as the Sun Devils roared back to force overtime. Texas somehow prevailed in the second extra period, even after finding its back against the wall in a fourth-and-13 situation. The massive momentum swings and Skattebo’s heroics make this not just the best CFP game this year, but one of the greatest ever.
2. Ohio State 28, Texas 14 (Semifinal)
Jack Sawyer’s strip sack of…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ranking-all-11-college-football-playoff-games-for-2024-25-first-round-flounders-semifinals-deliver-classics/
Author : David Cobb
Publish date : 2025-01-23 18:18:00
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