The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are finally here and we’re pretty sure we’re going to see some awesome football — finally. The first round was a bit disappointing.
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These 4 thrilling matchups will decide which teams advance to the semifinals and which ones will pack their bags for the season. With powerhouse football programs and a couple of underdog stories clashing in an epic battle for glory, we’re liking how this round is shaping up.
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Broadcast: ESPN
The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl pits 5th-seeded Texas against 4th-seeded Arizona State in what we think will be an explosive offensive showdown.
Texas enters the game as a 13.5-point favorite as determined by the bookmakers, but Arizona State’s dynamic attack could keep things a bit more interesting than the sportsbooks are letting on.
Texas brings a well-rounded team to the field. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has had nothing less than a stellar season, displaying his precision and leadership in leading the Longhorns' offense despite missing some time due to an injury. Just behind him, Kelvin Banks anchors the O line. He’s providing both protection and opportunities for big plays and is really the unsung hero for the offense. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond is also a consistent threat, making Texas lethal through the air by giving Ewers one of the best targets in CFB.
Arizona State isn’t short on weapons, either. Quarterback Sam Leavitt has quietly had one of the best seasons in the country. He’s completed 63.2% of his passes for over 2,600 yards and 24 TDs. His efficiency will be a major factor against a tough Texas defense. Running back Cameron Skattebo, another star on the team, provides a bit of a balance for the offense as he offers the Sun Devils a reliable ground game that could wear down the Longhorns over 4 long quarters.
Texas’ defense, known for shutting down big plays, faces quite a challenge in Arizona State's efficient and balanced attack. We think the Sun Devils’ chances hinge on their ability to avoid turnovers and keep pace with Texas' offense.
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
Broadcast: ESPN
The Rose Bowl is the stage for one of the best matchups of the quarterfinals — 8th-seeded Ohio State against the top-ranked Oregon. The big surprise is that despite the Ducks’ undefeated record, Ohio State enters as a narrow 2.5-point favorite. We were thinking it would be close but figured Oregon would edge out in the odds.
For Ohio State, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been their most explosive playmaker. The freshman phenom shattered all sorts of records with 1,037 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. His big-play ability will be the storyline to watch as the Buckeyes try to find holes in Oregon’s dominant defense. Ohio State’s defense, often the team’s backbone, has been stingy for the most part but has shown a few vulnerabilities to teams that can run the ball efficiently.
Oregon, led by Heisman finalist QB Dillon Gabriel, has a balanced offense that is fully capable of attacking both on the ground and through the air. They’ve got the dynamics that every team needs to be dominant this far in the playoffs. The Ducks average 285 passing yards per game and 129 rushing yards, making them one of the most versatile and dominant offenses in the nation. Of course, Gabriel’s leadership and experience will unquestionably be tested against a defense that thrives on limiting big plays as that’s what he goes for.
This game is a classic clash of styles.
Ohio State will aim to control the game with its defense and explosive plays from Smith. Oregon will rely heavily on Gabriel to keep the offense humming and avoid costly mistakes.
With the Rose Bowl’s storied history as the backdrop for this clash of titans, this matchup is going to be the game to watch in the quarterfinals.
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Broadcast: ESPN
The VRBO Fiesta Bowl brings together the 6th-seeded Penn State taking on 3rd-seeded Boise State. Penn State is favored pretty decently by 11 points, but Boise State’s Cinderella season we think could be far from over.
Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar has been a steady hand. He’s thrown for nearly 2,900 yards and 21 touchdowns. TE Tyler Warren, an All-American, is his go-to target and an absolute game-changer in big situations. On defense, the Nittany Lions really specialize in stopping the run, which will be one of the biggest factors against Boise State’s ground-heavy attack.
Speaking of the Broncos, running back Ashton Jeanty is the engine of their offense. Sure, Madsen has had a great season under center, but it’s nothing like Jeanty. Jeanty leads the nation in rushing yards and even touchdowns, an impressive feat that earned him a runner-up finish in the Heisman race — and there was a lot of chatter from analysts saying he should’ve received the award. Beyond that, Boise State also boasts a defense that ranks 2nd nationally in sacks, a potential problem for Penn State’s offensive line.
The key to this game really boils down to Penn State’s ability to contain Jeanty.
If the Nittany Lions can limit his production, which few can, Boise State could struggle to move the ball consistently. On the other side of the field, Boise State’s defense will need to pressure Allar and force him into mistakes that they can’t recover from.
We’re looking at this matchup as having the potential for surprises, as Boise State looks to continue its magical season. Regardless, it will still be a tough road ahead for them even if they can make it through this round.
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 8:45 p.m. ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Broadcast: ESPN
The Allstate Sugar Bowl is delivering a fascinating matchup between 7th-seeded Notre Dame and 2nd-seeded Georgia. The Bulldogs are just slight 1.5-point favorites, but the loss of starting quarterback Carson Beck is what we think could be a game-changer.
Notre Dame’s offense is led by Riley Leonard, a dual-threat quarterback who can hurt defenses with both his arm and legs. But there’s more to this offense as well. Running back Jeremiyah Love adds another layer to the Irish attack which keeps defenses on their toes. Love’s explosiveness was on full display earlier this season, including a massive 98-yard touchdown run. Defensively, Notre Dame has been somewhat stout, capable of shutting down both the run and the pass against fully capable teams. But can they do it against the explosive Bulldogs?
Georgia turns to backup quarterback Gunner Stockton in Beck’s recovery from surgery. Stockton is untested but will rely on the Bulldogs’ extremely dominant ground game, led by Nate Frazier, to help ease the pressure. The real kick is Georgia’s defense remains one of the nation’s best. However, it has shown some vulnerability against explosive rushing plays — a potential advantage for Notre Dame.
This game may just come down to whether Georgia can adapt without its starting quarterback. It’s an unknown for everyone as we haven’t seen Stockton play yet.
Notre Dame’s balanced offense is capable of exploiting any defensive lapses, while Georgia’s defense will look to force turnovers and put Stockton in favorable situations. After all, he’s going to need any help he can get.
Each of these quarterfinal matchups offers its own unique storyline. From star players to contrasting styles of play, we’re sure we’ll see all sorts of highlights coming from this week’s games.
With a trip to the semifinals on the line, the pressure for all of these teams is immense. We expect these games to deliver unforgettable moments as college football’s best battle for a shot at the championship.
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