Buckeyes Beat Irish for National Championship

The Ohio State Buckeyes beat Notre Dame for their first national title in ten years. They displayed a dominant explosive offense which took over the game in the 2nd quarter and only a late scare by the Irish threatened their 34-23 victory.

The Buckeyes made an amazing recovery from the devastating loss to Michigan in their season finale. In the first expanded 12-team College Football Playoff series, they responded like a champion.

They outscored their four postseason opponents by a combined score of 145-75, culminating with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame for their 7th national championship. Their offensive weapons were too much for the gritty Irish defense. The leadership of QB Will Howard was outstanding whether throwing the ball or scrambling on designed plays. He kept the ND defense on their heels, and took advantage of the soft Irish coverage vs the talented Buckeye receivers. Wideouts Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka  outmatched the ND corners who played off in fear of being beat deep. Consequently, Howard picked apart their defense with many underneath passes which allowed receivers to run with the ball after the catch. The power ground game was also impressive with the combination of tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins providing a strong tandem. Judkins scored 3 TDs and completed an impressive first season in Columbus after a career at Ole Miss.

The Irish completed an amazing 2024 season which saw them recover from a September loss to Northern Illinois to win their final 10 regular season games plus three playoff wins over Indiana, Georgia and Penn State. As an independent, Notre Dame does not get a bye like the top four conference champions. QB Riley Leonard displayed fine leadership and the toughness to run the ball effectively and make key throws.

Ohio State spent $20 million in NIL deals, Ohio State went about convincing its top players to return to school, too. They brought in key transfer portal acquisitions – QB Will Howard, safety Caleb Downs and running back Judkins. Veteran players defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, defensive tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson along with wideout Egbuka and corner Burke kept the core roster together to make their magical run at the national title.

Day signed another top recruiting class, including receiver Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State entered 2024 as one of the most talented teams in the country and expectations were high. They rebounded from the late Michigan loss and fulfilled those expectations with an outstanding run to claim the National Championship title.

Ohio State meets Texas in their 2025 opener at home on August 30^th which could be a matchup of #1 vs #2. That matchup could determine the early polls for the season. Notre Dame opens the 2025 season at Miami on August 30^th, in key Labor Day matchup.

College Football Playoff Semi-Finals

Thursday, January 9, 2025

#7 Notre Dame (13-1) vs #6 Penn St (13-2)

7:30 PM  – ESPN   at the Capital One Orange Bowl
    Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fl

Irish Kicks Off Semi-Final Round vs Penn St.

The CFP semi-final games begin tonight with Notre Dame meeting Penn State in the Orange Bowl with Ohio State facing off vs Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. All four semi-final winners rank in the top ten on defense and feature strong ground games. Each semi-final contestant beat top clubs who were coming off the bye week.

Notre Dame has been directed by QB Riley Leonard who has improved greatly after a slow start and taken control of this balanced attack. He has provided tough leadership with the playmaking ability to make the big throw and savvy scrambling to move the chains. He has shined on the big stage and has the talent to direct this club in the season’s most important matchups. He beat a recent two-time national champion, Georgia 23-10 executing a sound game plan with balance and ball security, despite throwing for less than 100 yards passing. Runners Jeremyah Love and Jadarian Price provide a consistent duo. Love has provided breakaway speed and big plays on the perimeter which has changed games. The Irish defense is a tough unit which has overcome key injuries to CB Morrison and DT Mills. Safety Xavier Watts has been a instinctive playmaker and leader who directs this unit.

Penn State is remarkably similar to the Irish in many key respects. QB Drew Allar has matured over a long starting career. The Nittany Lions features a strong deep ground game which has been their staple for field position and game management. Penn State is only 4-13 vs top ten clubs in the James Franklin era. Runner Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen form a potent tandem out of the old Nittany Lion tradition. TE Tyler Warren has been outstanding and produced an All-American 2024 performance. He has been the catalyst of an offense which moves the chains and produces big plays from a variety of formations. The Penn State legacy of linebackers continues with Abdul Carter who has been a weekly difference maker. He is a little nicked up for the semi-final matchup, though is expected to start. The Irish offense will have to account for him and safety Jaylen Reed if they expected a consistent attack.

Expect Notre Dame to dictate ball control and allow QB Leonard to control the game with play action and his fine scrambling ability. The Irish beat Penn State in an old time matchup.

Notre Dame 23 – Penn State 13

The new 12- team format and system have been a resounding early success. They have been spread out over a three-week period which gave every club at least half a bye between games. This included a bye week for the top four teams from the power conferences.

Semi-Final Matchups

Thursday, January 9, 2025
Team / Matchup / Time / TV / Location
#7 Notre Dame (13-1) vs #6 Penn State (13-2)
7:30 PM              ESPN   at the Capital One Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fl

Friday, January 10, 2025
#8 Ohio State (12-2)  vs #5 Texas (13-2)
7:30 PM              ESPN
at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Tx

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 20, 2025
7:30 PM            ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga

Frank Coyle / Publisher – Draft Insiders’ Digest – 34th Season

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College Football Playoff Semi-Finals

Notre Dame Edges #2 Georgia
Ohio State Beats #1 Oregon
Texas and Penn State Earn Semi-final Berths

The new CFP system has provided an exciting postseason which has the semi-final weekend set for outstanding matchups this week. Notre Dame concluded the quarter-final rounds with a dramatic 23-10 victory over Georgia. The Irish played their best game of the season and moves forward with a matchup vs Penn State in the semi-final opener. Penn State drilled Boise State 31-14 to advance to their best postseason position in CFP history.

Texas held on vs a scrappy Arizona State club, winning 39-31 in two OT periods. Ohio State smashed #1 Oregon with a surprisingly strong 41-21 performance which was never really that close.

The four semi-final contestants have been in the top ten all season, which eliminated the top two clubs, Oregon and Georgia in the quarter final round. Ironically, all four bye teams, Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State were all eliminated in the quarter final round.

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The new 12- team format and system have been a resounding early success. They have been spread out over a three week period which gave every club at least half a bye between games. This included a bye week for the top four teams from the power conferences.

Semi-Final Matchups

Thursday, January 9, 2025
Team / Matchup / Time / TV / Location

#7 Notre Dame vs #6 Penn State
7:30 PM              ESPN   at the Capital One Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fl

Friday, January 10, 2025

#8 Ohio State vs #5 Texas
7:30 PM              ESPN
at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Tx

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 20, 2025
7:30 PM            ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga

Frank Coyle / Publisher – Draft Insiders’ Digest – 34th Season

“The NFL Draft Publication Pro Scouts Buy”
“The Leader in NFL and College Scouting”

Subscribers call – 1- 732-842-4749 – Special Packages Available     

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

#6 Penn State @ #3 Boise State 7:30 pm ESPN
at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

#5 Texas @ #4 Arizona State 1:00 pm ESPN
at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

#8 Ohio State @ #1 Oregon 5:00 PM ESPN
at the Rose Bowl

#7 Notre Dame @ #2 Georgia 8:45 PM ESPN
at the Sugar Bowl

Semifinal Games

Thursday, Jan. 9 TBD vs. TBD (Orange Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN
Friday, Jan. 10 TBD vs. TBD (Cotton Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

National Championship Game

Monday, Jan. 20 TBD vs. TBD
(Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Notre Dame Opens New 12 Team CFP Series

College Football Playoff Schedule

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Playoff Schedule
Dec. 20- Jan 20, 2025
   all times Eastern

Notre Dame kicks off the inaugural 12 team CFP system tonight to head an exciting weekend which opens with four games. The four winners will play the top four teams which earned a bye in the opening round. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State will wait for the four winners this weekend to determine their opponent in the quarterfinal rounds – Dec, 31-Jan.1.

The Irish (11-1) finished this season on a 10-game winning streak and will host the surprising Indiana Hoosiers (11-1). The weather is old time Midwest football with cold and snow being a big factor.  Temperatures are in the 20’s and the field is still being cleared of snow at midday. Both Penn State and Ohio State host games Saturday and each could be affected by inclement weather.  

The new 12 team CFP bracket begins an exciting postseason where the national champion must win at least three games in the system. First round participants need to win four games to claim the title.

Playoff Schedule

First round – @ college team sites

Friday, Dec. 20
#10 Indiana at #7 Notre Dame – 8 pm – ABC/ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 21
#11 SMU at #6 Penn State – 12 pm – TNT
#12 Clemson at #5 Texas – 4 pm – TNT
#9 Tennessee at #8 Ohio State – 8 pm – ABC/ESPN

Quarterfinal Games

Tuesday, Dec. 31
#3 Boise State vs. #6 Penn State/ #11 SMU winner (Fiesta Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 1
#4 Arizona State vs. #5 Texas/ #12 Clemson winner (Peach Bowl) – 1 pm – ESPN
#1 Oregon vs. #8 Ohio State/ #9 Tennessee winner (Rose Bowl) – 5 pm – ESPN
#2 Georgia vs. #7 Notre Dame/#10 Indiana winner (Sugar Bowl) – 8:45 pm – ESPN

Semifinal Games

Thursday, Jan. 9
TBD vs. TBD (Orange Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Friday, Jan. 10
TBD vs. TBD (Cotton Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

National Championship Game

Monday, Jan. 20
TBD vs. TBD (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

College Football Playoff Schedule

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Dec. 20- Jan 20, 2025
All times Eastern

First round – @ college team sites

Friday, Dec. 20
#10 Indiana at #7 Notre Dame – 8 pm – ABC/ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 21
#11 SMU at #6 Penn State – 12 pm – | TNT
#12 Clemson at #5 Texas – 4 pm – TNT
#9 Tennessee at #8 Ohio State – 8 pm – ABC/ESPN

Quarterfinal Games
Tuesday, Dec. 31
#3 Boise State vs. #6 Penn State/ #11 SMU winner (Fiesta Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 1
#4 Arizona State vs. #5 Texas/ #12 Clemson winner (Peach Bowl) – 1 pm – ESPN
#1 Oregon vs. #8 Ohio State/ #9 Tennessee winner (Rose Bowl) – 5 pm – ESPN
#2 Georgia vs. #7 Notre Dame/#10 Indiana winner (Sugar Bowl) – 8:45 pm – ESPN

Semifinal Games
Thursday, Jan. 9
TBD vs. TBD (Orange Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Friday, Jan. 10
TBD vs. TBD (Cotton Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Monday, Jan. 20
National Championship Game  
TBD vs. TBD (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

College Football Playoff Rankings

The CFP ranking and seeds differ below. The four teams with playoff byes are in bold.
Here are the final CFP top 25 rankings, with teams in the CFP posting their seeds at the end.

1 Oregon — highest-ranked conference champion (Big Ten) and seeded No. 1
2 Georgia — second-highest-ranked conference champion (SEC) and seeded No. 2
3 Texas — at-large pick (second team from the SEC), seeded No. 5
4 Penn State — at-large pick (second team in the Big Ten), seeded No. 6
5 Notre Dame — at-large pick (independent), seeded No. 7
6 Ohio State — at-large pick (third team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 8
7 Tennessee — at-large pick (third team from the SEC), seeded No. 9
8 Indiana — at-large pick (fourth team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 10
9 Boise State — third-highest-ranked conference champion (Mountain West) and seeded No. 3
10 SMU — at-large pick (from the ACC), seeded No. 11
11 Alabama — first team out of the CFP
12 Arizona State — fourth-highest-ranked conference champion (Big 12) and seeded No. 4

13 Miami (Fla.) – second team out of the CFP
14 Ole Miss – third team out of the CFP
15 South Carolina – fourth team out of the CFP
16 Clemson – fifth-highest-ranked conference champion (ACC) and seeded #121
17 BYU – fifth team out of the CFP
18 Iowa State – sixth team out of the CFP
19 Missouri – seventh team out of the CFP
20 Illinois – eighth team out of the CFP
21 Syracuse – ninth team out of the CFP
22 Army – 10th team out of the CFP
23 Colorado – 11th team out of the CFP
24 UNLV – 12th team out of the CFP
25 Memphis – 13th team out of the CFP

Boise State won the Mountain West Conference championship and lost to only top-ranked Oregon. They are the third-highest-ranked conference champion and thus received a bye into the quarterfinals despite ranking No. 9. Arizona State is ranked only #12, the Sun Devils are the fourth-highest ranked conference champion over the ACC champ #16 Clemson. They earned the #4 seed and the final first-round bye.  Both Texas and Penn St remained in the top four seeds despite losing conference title matchups in their final games.

The four quarterfinal games are not played at the campus sites. These four games — scheduled on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 — will be played at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned one of these bowls in consideration of historic bowl relationships as well as seeding.

The four quarterfinal winners will meet in the semifinals at either the Orange Bowl or the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. If the seeds hold, that means (1) would meet (4) and (2) would play (3). The two semifinal winners will then play on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national championship.

2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

College Football Playoff –
Selection Committee Rankings

College Football Playoffs – Dec. 8
Games Played through Saturday, Dec. 7

Final Regular Season CPF Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record
1 Oregon 13-0
2 Georgia 11-2
3 Texas 11-2
4 Penn State 11-2
5 Notre Dame 11-1
6 Ohio State 10-2
7 Tennessee 10-2
8 Indiana 11-1
9 Boise State 12-1
10 SMU 11-2
11 Alabama 9-3
12 Arizona State 11-2
13 Miami 10-2
14 Ole Miss 9-3
15 South Carolina 9-3
16 Clemson 10-3
17 BYU 10-2
18 Iowa State 10-3
19 Missouri 9-3
20 Illinois 9-3
21 Syracuse 9-3
22 Army 11-1
23 Colorado 9-3
24 UNLV 10-3
25 Memphis 10-2

About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

College Football Playoff – Week 5
This is the 5th of 6th weekly rankings.

Selection Committee Rankings

College Football Playoffs – Dec. 3
Games Played through Saturday, November 30

College Football Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record

1. Oregon, Big Ten (12-0)
2. Texas, SEC (11-1)
3. Penn State, Big Ten (11-1)
4. Notre Dame, Independents (11-1)
5. Georgia, SEC (10-2)
6. Ohio State, Big Ten (10-2)
7. Tennessee, SEC (10-2)
8. SMU, ACC (11-1)
9. Indiana, Big Ten (11-1)
10. Boise State, MW (11-1)
11. Alabama, SEC (9-3)
12. Miami, ACC (10-2)
13. Ole Miss, SEC (9-3)
14. South Carolina, SEC (9-3)
15. Arizona State, Big 12 (10-2)
16. Iowa State, Big 12 (10-2)
17. Clemson, ACC (9-3)
18. BYU, Big 12 (10-2)
19. Missouri, SEC (9-3)
20. UNLV, MW (10-2)
21. Illinois, Big Ten (9-3)
22. Syracuse, ACC (9-3)
23. Colorado, Big 12 (9-3)
24. Army, AAC (10-1)
25. Memphis, AAC (10-2)

By Conference: SEC 8, Big 12 5, Big Ten 5, ACC 3, Mountain West 2, American Athletic 1, Independents 1

College Football Playoff – Week 4

 Selection Committee Rankings

 College Football Playoff Rankings – Nov. 27
   Games Played through Saturday, November 23

College Football Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record
 1          Oregon               11-0     

2          Ohio State         10-1     

3          Texas                   10-1      

4          Penn State         10-1     

5          Notre Dame      10-1     

6          Miami                 10-1     

7          Georgia               9-2       

8          Tennessee         9-2       

9          SMU                   10-1     

10         Indiana            10-1     

11         Boise State      10-1     

12         Clemson            9-2       

13         Alabama           8-3       

14         Ole Miss             8-3       

15         South Carolina   8-3       

16         Arizona State      9-2       

17         Tulane                   9-2       

18         Iowa State           9-2       

19         BYU                      9-2       

20         Texas A&M        8-3       

21         Missouri             8-3       

22         UNLV                  9-2       

23         Illinois                8-3       

24         Kansas State    8-3       

25         Colorado          8-3       
 

About the College Football Playoff

 The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

College Football Playoff – Week 3

 Selection Committee Rankings

 College Football Playoff Rankings – Nov. 12
   Week Three Rankings
Games Played through Saturday, November 16

Games of Week – Nov. 23rd
   #5 Indiana (10-0) at #2 Ohio State (9-1) – 12:00 pm
  #17 Army (9-0) vs #4 Notre Dame (9-1) @ Yankee Stadium – 7 pm

 Rank / Team / Overall Record

 1 Oregon 11-0

2 Ohio State 9-1

3 Texas 9-1

4 Penn State 9-1

5 Indiana 10-0

6 Notre Dame 9-1

7 Alabama 8-2

8 Miami 9-1

9 Mississippi 8-2

10 Georgia   8-2

11 Tennessee 8-2

12 Boise State 9-1

13  SMU   9-1

14 BYU   9-1

15 Texas A&M   8-2

16 Colorado   8-2

17 Clemson   8-2

18 South Carolina   7-3

19 Army   9-0

20 Tulane 9-2

21 Arizona State 8-2

22 Iowa State 8-2

23 Missouri 7-3

24 UNLV 8-2

25 Illinois 7-3

 About the College Football Playoff
 
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.