🏈 Welcome, to the College Football Playoff

That’s right folks, the three game slate we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Let’s breakdown each game quick for you...

SMU @ Penn State (12:00 PM on TNT): One of the least talked about games of the weekend comes in the form of the Mustangs at the Nittany Lions. Both of these teams have kind of felt like little brothers in the world of college football. Penn State has fallen behind in the Ohio State and Michigan world of the Big Ten, but entered the first 12-team CFP as the highest-ranked of the three. SMU is in the first year of its time in a big boy conference, and ended up as the runner-up. They want to prove they belong.

This game will surely be won in the trenches, as Penn State has two elite running backs and SMU boasts one of the best rush defenses in the country. I’d guess this game goes in favor of Penn State, whose home crowd will be ROCKING! I wouldn’t put SMU out of the question though, they showed some really impressive fights in the ACC Championship and have won 10 straight away games.

Clemson @ Texas (4:00 PM on FOX): The last time Texas QB Quinn Evers and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik met on the football field was the Texas Class 6A state championship game. They were two of the highest-rated recruits in the nation that day, but it was Klubnik who won that day. 3 years later, the two meet again, with the stakes that much higher.

Klubnik and Clemson won the ACC to sneak into the playoff, but must now go to Austin to play Texas on their home field. Clemson should get a boost from a healthier Phil Mafah, their leading rusher who’s been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. On the flip side, Texas gets back their star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who missed the SEC Championship with an ankle injury. By my estimation, if Texas can protect Quinn Ewers, they should be able to handle Clemson and advance to the next round.

(9) Tennessee @ (8) Ohio State (8:00 PM on ABC): The primetime matchup comes at you live from the Shoe! The Buckeyes are still reeling from a fourth-straight loss to their archrival Michigan, and Ryan Day surely feels the heat from fans to perform. Tennessee enters its first CFP as 7-point underdogs on the road, but the Volunteers have one of the most feared defenses in the country.

That’s where the game will be won, in the trenches. Ohio State has lost three of their offensive lineman to season-ending injuries this year and it has been obvious as the Buckeyes have struggled to run the football down the stretch. Tennessee has arguably the best defensive line in the country and will look to bow their necks against Ohio State and force them to throw the ball. In my head, if Ohio State can run the football just enough, they can win. IF Tennessee can get some help from their QB Niko Iamaleava, they’ll get the road win. It’s going to be hard for OSU to handle Dylan Sampson and the impressive Tennessee run game. I just don’t think is a great matchup for Ohio State, give me the Volunteers on the road.

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