The College Football Playoff Semifinals are right around the corner and we can’t wait for the action to get started. Fans will be treated to Penn State vs. Notre Dame on Thursday, January 9, and Ohio State vs. Texas on Friday, January 10. Check out our picks below! Good luck!
Notre Dame vs Penn State. Who wins?
My goodness, this matchup is a bonafide toss-up if I’ve ever seen one. Notre Dame is slightly favored and rightfully so after they made quick work of both Georgia and Indiana. However, Penn State has played a much tougher schedule (33rd to 54th, according to Sagarin).
The Fighting Irish have an incredible running game with Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love, but they haven’t faced a defensive line as talented as Penn State. I also rate Drew Allar a bit higher than Riley Leonard as a passer. Give me the Nittany Lions in a close one on Thursday evening!
Notre Dame (+3)
Penn State (+3)
Ohio State vs. Texas. Who wins?
Holy Smokes, Ohio State has looked like a team on a mission the entire CFP. The loss to Michigan at the end of the regular season may end up being a blessing in disguise, but you can’t tell that to any hardcore Buckeyes fan. Ohio State crushed both Tennessee and Oregon on their way to the Semifinals.
Texas has looked decent in both of their CFP games, but they haven’t been nearly as dominant as Ohio State. The Longhorns took down both Clemson and Arizona St to get to this point. In the end, I think Ohio State has too many weapons on both sides of the ball. Texas will put up a fight, but I can’t get in front of this Ohio State freight train.
Ohio State (+2)
Texas (+4)
Which Underdog Scores More Points?
This is another tough question to answer because so much will depend on the game flow of each matchup. Penn State averages more yards per play than Texas and they have two dynamic running backs in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Drew Allar has also improved quite a bit as a college QB.
However, Texas has played a tougher schedule and they average more points per game. Quinn Ewers is finally close to 100% health and he has plenty of speedy weapons to throw to on the outside. Give me the Longhorns to score more than the Nittany Lions, but the smart money says it’ll be close.
Penn State (+1)
Texas (+1)
Which Favorite Scores More Points?
This is the easiest question on the board this week, in my humble opinion. Will Howard is a much better passer than Riley Leonard and he has a much more dynamic receiving corps. Leonard will make some plays with his feet, but Penn State can limit him by using one of their speedy linebackers as a spy.
No one has been able to stop Jeremiah Smith up to this point and I don’t see Texas slowing him down either. My numbers show Ohio State easily getting into the 30s but Notre Dame should top out at around 24 points. Give me the Bucks!
Notre Dame (+1)
Ohio State (+1)
