Final Four Set: College Football's Heavyweights Clash in Epic Semifinal Showdowns

The College Football Playoff has reached an exhilarating stage as the first-ever expanded bracket narrows down to its final four teams, showcasing the storied traditions and fierce rivalries that define the sport. With the semifinals set for January 9 and 10 at the Orange and Cotton Bowls, excitement is building among fans and analysts alike, as they eagerly anticipate matchups that pit college football heavyweights against one another. At the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the Texas Longhorns. Both teams boast rich histories, ranking in the top five for all-time wins. Their meetings have been few—just three since 2005—but each has carried significant weight in the national title picture. Ohio State, despite a disappointing loss to Michigan, rebounded strongly in the quarterfinals. After dismantling Tennessee 42-17 at home, they continued their momentum with a dominant 41-21 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, showcasing a potent offense led by quarterback Will Howard and standout freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith's impressive stats, including 13 catches, 290 yards, and four touchdowns in two CFP games, highlight his ability to stretch defenses and create mismatches. On the other hand, Texas arrives at this matchup having navigated a bumpier path in the playoffs. They edged out Clemson in the first round, but their quarterfinal victory over Arizona State was a nail-biter, requiring a fourth-down conversion and a comeback from a 24-8 fourth-quarter deficit. Quarterback Quinn Ewers emerged as the hero with a stellar performance, throwing for over 300 yards and leading the team through adversity. However, Texas has shown inconsistency in their running game, which could be a crucial factor against Ohio State’s formidable defense. The matchup brings forth compelling questions: Can Ohio State’s dynamic offense find success against Texas’ top-ranked pass defense? Or will Texas manage to establish their running game against a Buckeyes defense that ranks among the best in the nation? As Ohio State enters the game as a 6.5-point favorite, both teams are aware that victory will lead them to a shot at the national championship. Meanwhile, the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens will feature another classic clash between Notre Dame and Penn State. Both programs are historically significant, with Notre Dame sitting fourth and Penn State eighth on the NCAA all-time wins leaderboard. Their evenly matched history—recording 9 wins apiece with 1 tie—adds another layer of intrigue, especially considering the last two meetings were dominated by the home teams in 2006 and 2007. Penn State has proven their mettle in the playoffs, delivering decisive victories over SMU and Boise State. Their defense has been a standout, with six interceptions across both games, including two defensive touchdowns against SMU. The health of star edge rusher Abdul Carter, currently uncertain due to injury, could be pivotal in maintaining their defensive dominance. In contrast, Notre Dame’s path has seen them defeat Indiana and secure a crucial victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Their defense excelled in limiting Georgia’s running attack and coming up big in critical moments. Although quarterback Riley Leonard’s performance has leaned more towards the efficient than explosive, the Irish’s reliance on a powerful running game could play a vital role in their success. However, they will need to address issues in their kicking game, an area that had plagued them during the regular season but showed improvement in the playoffs. Set at a narrow line of Notre Dame -1.5, this matchup features two programs eager to reclaim their past glories. Both head coaches, James Franklin of Penn State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame, carry the weight of expectations on their shoulders. The stakes are high, not just for the programs but also in the context of college football history—one of these teams could potentially pave the way for a Black head coach to claim the FBS national championship, a long-awaited achievement in the sport. As the January semifinals approach, anticipation continues to build. The opportunity for these blue-blood programs to compete for the national title on January 20 in Atlanta looms large, promising thrilling matchups that could shape the future of college football for years to come.