Starting with snow in South Bend, Indiana, the School Soccer Playoff made its on-campus debut this weekend. The scenes didn’t disappoint.
Up subsequent is the quarterfinal spherical, which options 4 video games performed at conventional postseason websites: the Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Peach Bowl. Very similar to the primary spherical, the quarterfinals will span two days. No. 3 Boise State kicks issues off and can make its first CFP look — albeit in a really acquainted recreation, the Fiesta Bowl, the place 18 years in the past a lot of the nation realized in regards to the Broncos of their unforgettable win towards Oklahoma. They will face No. 6 Penn State.
The New Yr’s Day slate begins with maybe essentially the most shocking CFP entrant: Arizona State, which was picked to complete final within the 16-team Massive 12 however received the league to earn the No. 4 seed. Coach Kenny Dillingham’s Solar Devils will probably be within the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for the primary time since 1970 and can face No. 5 Texas.
Up subsequent would be the Rose Bowl Recreation introduced by Prudential, during which No. 1 seed Oregon, the nation’s solely undefeated group, will face No. 8 Ohio State in a extremely anticipated rematch from the common season. An unbelievable day winds up in New Orleans, the place No. 2 seed Georgia, the one group within the CFP area to win a nationwide championship previously 4 seasons, will face No. 7 Notre Dame on the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Eight groups are left within the hunt for a nationwide championship after a season of unpredictability. Here is a have a look at the 4 quarterfinal matchups and what to anticipate Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. — Adam Rittenberg
Leap to:Penn State vs. Boise StateTexas vs. Arizona StateOhio State vs. OregonNotre Dame vs. Georgia
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Boise State
When: Dec. 31, 7:45 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
What we realized in Spherical 1: Maybe we realized Penn State has an elite protection, however that appeared fairly clear earlier than the 38-10 win over SMU during which the D picked off Kevin Jennings 3 times within the first half, returning two for touchdowns. Furthermore, these interceptions had been as a lot a press release about SMU’s incompetence on the execution of these performs as Penn State’s brilliance. Maybe we realized that, as soon as once more, the 106,000-plus followers in Joyful Valley can create havoc for opposing groups, however that will not be a bonus by way of the remainder of the playoff for Penn State. Maybe we realized coach James Franklin can win an enormous one. He had been simply 5-21 vs. top-12 groups at Penn State getting into this playoff. However whereas SMU may need earned its No. 11 rating, the expertise disparity on the sphere clearly favored Penn State, and had the Mustangs not imploded of their very own accord so early, there may need been actual hand-wringing over Franklin’s perplexing fourth-down name from his personal 20-yard line up 14-0 or the offense’s incapability to interrupt large performs towards SMU till the rating was totally lopsided.
In different phrases, Penn State’s win was encouraging as a result of issues principally went proper, and the Nittany Lions did what they had been purported to do. However past that, a simple victory towards an SMU group that helped by beating itself did not precisely show that this yr’s Penn State squad is lastly able to getting over the hump towards a genuinely top-tier opponent. The actually excellent news is, the Nittany Lions are going to get no less than yet one more likelihood to just do that.
X issue: QB Drew Allar. Allar and the Penn State passing recreation have been a combined bag over the previous two years. The highest-line numbers communicate for themselves. Allar wins, he would not flip the ball over and he has moved the ball constantly towards lesser competitors. However the downfield menace has by no means fairly materialized for Allar, even because the offense’s explosiveness has improved with Andy Kotelnicki calling performs in 2024. A part of that comes from the dearth of a real velocity demon on the surface, and a part of it comes from a recreation plan constructed round two gifted tailbacks. However there’ll come a time in these playoffs — and fairly probably towards Boise State — when Allar wants to vary the dynamic, drive a protection to respect the vertical menace and win some battles downfield.
How Penn State wins: It is unlikely Penn State can utterly run again the blueprint for beating SMU, as it is not usually a protection is presented so many large performs by the opposing quarterback, however the primary framework for a win ought to look a great bit like what the Nittany Lions did in Spherical 1. It is no secret Boise State’s magic is created by tailback Ashton Jeanty, so if Penn State can drive the sport into Maddux Madsen’s arms as an alternative, there’s purpose to suppose it will possibly money in on some QB errors, simply because it did towards SMU. In fact, that is simpler mentioned than accomplished. Jeanty has confronted his share of stacked bins this season, so not solely does Penn State have to game-plan to cease Jeanty on protection, however Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton & Co. have to really deliver down the Heisman Trophy runner-up earlier than he can escape into area. — David Hale
Key participant: RB Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty has turned in the most effective seasons faculty soccer has ever seen from a working again, speeding for two,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, to complete second within the Heisman voting. He wants 132 yards to interrupt Barry Sanders’ single-season speeding report, which has stood since 1988 (when bowl stats didn’t rely towards official stats). Jeanty can do all of it: get powerful yards, break lengthy ones, catch passes. And he has accomplished it as the focus from opposing defenses in a manner few gamers ever are.
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X issue: QB Maddux Madsen. There is not actually a query of what the Broncos will get from Jeanty. He will ship when the possibilities are there, and doubtless after they aren’t. Within the Mountain West, he was dominant sufficient to reduce the significance of the passing recreation. That will not be the case on this recreation. The Broncos will want complementary soccer and Madsen to rise to the event. Within the common season, Madsen did a wonderful job defending the soccer — he threw 29 touchdowns to only three interceptions — and that needs to be the case towards Penn State. The Nittany Lions terrorized SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, and SMU by no means stood an opportunity together with his poor efficiency.
How Boise State wins: When the Broncos misplaced by 3 factors at Oregon in September, they went toe-to-toe with the Geese from begin to end. That efficiency earned them a whole lot of credibility with the choice committee and is maybe the blueprint for methods to advance. The important thing half right here shouldn’t be falling behind early. They by no means trailed by greater than a rating towards Oregon, and that allowed Jeanty to remain as concerned as doable. He will see loaded bins, as common, however the opposing expertise stage is way increased than something the Broncos have seen since Oregon. If Boise State can cling on to the ball and keep away from third-and-long, it’ll have a puncher’s likelihood. — Kyle Bonagura
When: Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
What we realized in Spherical 1: Texas can morph into no matter kind essential to advance. Quinn Ewers began 8-for-8, however he cooled off after a ball bounced off DeAndre Moore Jr.’s arms and was an interception. However the working recreation took over Saturday for the Longhorns. After working for a complete of 60 yards in two losses to Georgia this yr, the Longhorns had two 100-yard rushers towards Clemson, simply the fourth pair of working backs to high the century mark within the playoff. Jaydon Blue, who had 38- and 77-yard landing runs — the second the Longhorns’ longest run of the season — added some explosiveness to an offense that has been methodical all season. This Texas group has dimensions the place it will possibly shift gears.
X issue: Texas tight finish Gunnar Helm is a dependable safety blanket for Ewers and the Longhorns, catching a landing move with 33 seconds left within the first half, and three of his different 5 catches went for first downs, all approaching first down. The specter of Helm on early downs over the center softens up appears to be like for the remainder of the offense. The 6-5, 250-pound senior is now first in Longhorns historical past in catches by a good finish and second in yards and touchdowns by a good finish in a season.
How Texas wins: Run the ball and shut down Cam Skattebo. The Texas move protection was gashed by Clemson at instances, giving up three passing TDs after surrendering solely 4 all season, however with out injured extensive receiver Jordyn Tyson, the Solar Devils won’t have sufficient weapons to maintain spreading out the nation’s greatest move protection. If Texas can include Skattebo (within the passing recreation in addition to the bottom) and feed its personal working backs behind a robust offensive line, the Longhorns can stifle the Solar Devils and milk the clock whereas making them play from behind. — Dave Wilson
Key participant: RB Cam Skattebo. What’s to not love about the way in which Skattebo performs? His emergence grew to become the most effective storylines of the season, as he completed fifth within the Heisman voting. He rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns whereas including 506 yards and three touchdowns receiving — the one participant within the nation with 1,000-plus yards speeding and 400-plus yards receiving (even with one missed recreation). As if that weren’t spectacular sufficient, the final participant to hit these marks was Christian McCaffrey in 2015. Skattebo acquired higher because the season progressed — and his efficiency within the Massive 12 championship recreation speaks to that. He was named Most Excellent Participant of the sport after scoring three touchdowns (two speeding, one receiving), with 208 yards of whole offense.
X issue: DB Xavion Alford. It’s arduous to name the most effective defensive gamers within the Massive 12 an X issue, however a lot of the deal with the Solar Devils has been on their offense that Alford deserves a number of the highlight — and he’s more likely to have a possibility to return up large. An All-Massive 12 first-team choice, Alford has been the mannequin of consistency and an ironman of types. He performed the fourth-most snaps in protection within the Massive 12 this season (424, thirty third amongst all FBS gamers) and allowed simply seven receptions, the third fewest in FBS (minimal 300 protection snaps). Groups have realized to not throw his manner — he has been focused simply 17 instances this season. In consequence, he has allowed solely 76 yards in protection, fourth lowest amongst FBS gamers.
How Arizona State wins: Texas presents the largest, most bodily problem up entrance that Arizona State has confronted. The Longhorns utterly owned Clemson on the line of scrimmage of their first-round recreation, so to defeat them, Arizona State must match or beat that physicality — and drive Ewers into making errors. Everyone knows what Skattebo can do, however Texas ranks as the most effective defenses within the nation — so retaining that group off-balance goes to be key. Sam Leavitt has proven unbelievable poise because the beginning quarterback, however the offensive line goes to have to ensure to maintain Texas at bay so he doesn’t get rattled. — Andrea Adelson
When: Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
What we realized in Spherical 1: Regardless of falling to Michigan, Ohio State is a lot able to profitable the nationwide championship. The Buckeyes bounced again in an enormous manner, throttling one of many SEC’s high groups all season in Tennessee. Ohio State jumped to a 21-0 lead within the first quarter and by no means regarded again. Huge receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka acquired open at will, and quarterback Will Howard put the ball on the cash. Defensively, linebacker Cody Simon set a bodily tone, cracking Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s helmet on the opening drive with a devastating hit. It is arduous to see anybody within the playoff defeating this model of the Buckeyes.
X issue: The Volunteers merely could not cowl Smith, who ignited the Ohio State scoring barrage with a 37-yard scoring seize on the opening possession. Ohio State curiously gave Smith solely two targets within the Michigan loss, with each coming within the third quarter, leading to only one catch for 3 yards. This time round, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s recreation plan clearly was to get the Massive Ten Freshman of the Yr and Huge Receiver of the Yr concerned early and sometimes. The Buckeyes have succesful veteran playmakers (Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins), however Ohio State’s offense is at its most harmful when Smith is touching the ball.
How Ohio State wins: Of their first assembly, the Buckeyes allowed Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel to function with a clear pocket (no sacks, solely two QB hurries). The Heisman Trophy finalist made them play with 341 passing yards, highlighted by a number of completions downfield and two touchdowns on the way in which to the 32-31 victory. Because the Tennessee recreation illustrated, Ohio State has the move rushers — notably Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau — to overwhelm the opposing quarterback. Attending to Gabriel within the rematch will probably be paramount for the Buckeyes. — Jake Trotter
Key participant: QB Dillon Gabriel. This is the reason Gabriel left Oklahoma and made his strategy to Eugene, to play in video games like this. The fifth-year senior will lead Oregon into the Rose Bowl with an opportunity to remain undefeated and get one step nearer to his final objective of profitable a nationwide championship. Solely Shedeur Sanders had a greater completion proportion than Gabriel this season, a formidable feat when you think about that is his first yr within the Geese’ offense. Gabriel slot in seamlessly into offensive coordinator Will Stein’s unit and has produced his greatest video games when Oregon has wanted him essentially the most — 341 yards and two touchdowns towards Ohio State and 283 yards and 4 touchdowns within the Massive Ten title recreation towards Penn State. For Oregon to advance, Gabriel might want to not simply replicate these sorts of performances, however probably dig deeper for extra.
X issue: DE Jordan Burch. Oregon’s protection hasn’t lacked for a lot given its depth and expertise, however Burch has been a drive. Regardless of lacking 4 video games with an harm, he has been in a position to tally 8.5 sacks (twentieth within the nation), together with a 2.5-sack outing towards Washington within the regular-season finale. Having an prolonged relaxation interval between the Massive Ten title recreation and the Rose Bowl is a boon for a participant like Burch, who may single-handedly tilt the sport within the Geese’ favor by wreaking havoc within the opposing group’s backfield.
How Oregon wins: The Geese have the profit (or the curse, relying on the way you have a look at it) no different group within the quarterfinals has: They’ve already crushed their opponent as soon as. In opposition to the Buckeyes in October, Oregon fought fireplace with fireplace, outgaining, outmatching and in the end outscoring Ohio State by a single level in Eugene, because of a handful of explosive performs, fewer penalties and profitable the turnover battle (2-0). The margin between these groups is already slim, and at a impartial website, Oregon must be extra explosive, extra disciplined and easily higher — particularly on protection, the place it allowed 467 whole yards — to have the ability to beat a tricky opponent twice. The way in which the playoff bracket shook out shouldn’t be how the No. 1 seed Geese would have probably most well-liked, however what we get consequently is a rematch that would present us with an all-time basic between arguably the 2 greatest groups within the nation this yr. It is solely becoming that the setting would be the Rose Bowl. — Paolo Uggetti
When: Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN
What we realized in Spherical 1: Notre Dame has a championship-level protection with stars in any respect three ranges. Security Xavier Watts received the Bronko Nagurski Award in 2023, however he is been even higher this season and confirmed why towards Indiana with 10 tackles and an interception. Jaiden Ausberry led a playmaking group of linebackers and Rylie Mills created havoc up entrance, as Notre Dame flexed on third down (7 of 13 conversions). Notre Dame’s offense is not at all times essentially the most fluid unit, however with so many working choices, chunk performs are at all times doable, and Jeremiyah Love can ship them, as he confirmed with a 98-yard landing, the longest play in CFP historical past.
X issue: WR Jordan Faison, a standout lacrosse participant thrust into motion at extensive receiver in 2023 due to attrition, has turn out to be a sneaky good goal for quarterback Riley Leonard. Regardless of lacking three early-season video games with a sprained ankle, Faison has made a number of catches in each contest he has appeared in, and he had a career-high seven receptions for 89 yards towards Indiana. “He is a playmaker, man,” coach Marcus Freeman mentioned. The sophomore additionally has a knack for shining within the postseason, as he earned Solar Bowl MVP honors final yr with 115 receiving yards and a landing towards Oregon State. Notre Dame cannot beat Georgia strictly with its run recreation, and it’ll want wideouts corresponding to Faison to make notable contributions.
How Notre Dame wins: The Irish should harass Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, probably filling in for injured starter Carson Beck, simply as they did Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke on Friday. Notre Dame’s protection, which has carried the group a lot of the season, recorded 10 tackles for loss and three sacks towards Indiana and infrequently let the Hoosiers function on schedule. The Irish additionally want to copy the offensive steadiness they confirmed towards Indiana whereas being a bit extra constant on the bottom. Take away Love’s 98-yard landing, and Notre Dame had 95 internet speeding yards on 34 carries. Notre Dame additionally should play a cleaner recreation on particular groups after having a area objective try blocked and an onside kick recovered by Indiana late within the recreation. — Rittenberg
Key participant: QB Gunner Stockton. With Bulldogs starter Carson Beck most likely sidelined for the CFP due to an elbow harm to his throwing arm, they will flip to Stockton, who is anticipated to make his first begin within the Sugar Bowl. Stockton accomplished 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in Georgia’s 22-19 victory over Texas within the SEC championship recreation. He got here off the bench to rally the Bulldogs again from a 6-3 deficit on the half. The third-year sophomore has accomplished 78.1% of his makes an attempt for 206 yards in components of three video games in 2024. Stockton is extra of a runner than Beck, however he has far much less expertise. At Rabun County Excessive College, Stockton had 13,652 profession passing yards and 177 passing touchdowns to go along with 4,372 speeding yards and 77 speeding touchdowns in his four-year profession. He set Georgia state highschool information for profession passing touchdowns, passing yards and speeding touchdowns.
X issue: RB Trevor Etienne. The Florida switch returned from a virtually monthlong absence due to a rib harm and ran for 94 yards with two scores within the SEC championship recreation. He ran for 87 yards with three touchdowns in a 30-15 victory over the Longhorns within the common season. Etienne can turn out to be an enormous security valve for Stockton due to his potential to catch the ball out of the backfield — he has 28 receptions for 168 yards. Etienne can also be a more-than-capable blocker, which will probably be essential if Notre Dame’s protection decides to dial up the warmth on Stockton. The Irish are thirty ninth in run protection within the FBS (133 yards per recreation), they usually held Indiana to solely 63 yards within the first spherical.
How Georgia wins: With Stockton stepping underneath heart, the Bulldogs are going to wish their protection to stand up large time. This hasn’t been Georgia’s greatest protection underneath coach Kirby Good; it ranks twenty first in scoring protection (20.4 factors), thirty sixth towards the run (127.8 yards) and thirty fifth in whole protection (334.8 yards). The protection has performed effectively in a few of Georgia’s greatest video games, together with wins over Texas and Tennessee. Linebackers Smael Mondon Jr. and Jalon Walker might want to management Notre Dame’s working recreation, they usually’ll have to drive the Irish into a few turnovers. — Mark Schlabach
