College Football Playoff quarterfinal preview: Can we get a good game?

Three quarterfinals are scheduled to be performed over the subsequent two days within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

This is a capsule take a look at the three remaining quarterfinals, together with the BetMGM strains (as of Monday).

No. 5 Texas (12-2) vs. No. 4 Arizona State (11-2) in Peach Bowl, Wednesday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT in Atlanta

Arizona State was picked to complete final within the Massive 12, however clearly did not hearken to the prognosticators. The Solar Devils crushed Iowa State 45-19 within the convention remaining after which obtained a top-four seed because of Clemson’s win over SMU within the ACC remaining.

Texas was within the operating for the highest seed within the event earlier than shedding 22-19 in additional time to Georgia within the SEC remaining. The Longhorns raced out to an enormous lead within the first half after which simply held on for a 38-24 win over Clemson within the first spherical of the CFP.

Texas has improved yearly since Steve Sarkisian took over in 2021. Final 12 months, the Longhorns misplaced to Washington in a nationwide semifinal.

Arizona State made an enormous soar in its second 12 months below 34-year-old coach Kenny Dillingham, whose crew completed 3-9 in 2023. Dillingham was beforehand offensive co-ordinator at Oregon. The Solar Devils are making their first playoff look.

Arizona State redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt missed one of many crew’s two losses, so he is very acquainted with successful. After transferring from Michigan State, Leavitt was named the second-team Massive 12 quarterback this season.

Texas junior Quinn Ewers is anticipated to declare for the NFL Draft and figures to be a top-five QB. He threw for 202 yards, one landing and one interception towards Clemson.

Arizona State operating again Cam Skattebo averaged six yards per carry and scored 22 complete touchdowns.

Texas left deal with Kelvin Banks Jr. is anticipated to be an early first-round decide subsequent 12 months. He gained the Outland Trophy as the very best inside lineman in school soccer.

Texas is favoured by 12.5 factors.

No. 8 Ohio State (11-2) vs. No. 1 Oregon (13-0) in Rose Bowl, Wednesday, 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT in Pasadena, Calif.

Oregon was the lone unbeaten crew within the nation this season. The Geese’ closest name was an October house sport towards Ohio State when Oregon emerged with a 32-31 victory. The sport wasn’t determined till Ohio State QB Will Howard slid on a scramble as time ran out on a play in Oregon territory.

Ohio State bounced again from a shocking house loss to bitter rival Michigan in its season finale with a 42-17 thumping of Tennessee within the first playoff spherical. The Buckeyes entered the sport below intense native warmth, a lot of it directed at coach Ryan Day following the crew’s fourth consecutive loss to Michigan.

Oregon is within the playoff for the primary time since qualifying for the inaugural 2014 version. The Geese misplaced within the remaining that season towards Ohio State. Oregon has misplaced simply 5 video games below third-year coach Dan Lanning.

Ohio State is within the playoff for the fourth time below Day since he took over in 2019, however he hasn’t lifted the championship title but.

Oregon senior Dillon Gabriel completed third in Heisman Trophy voting after transferring from Oklahoma for this season. Earlier than two years at Oklahoma, he began his school profession at Central Florida.

Ohio State’s Howard transferred from Kansas State after 4 seasons. He was 24-for-29 for 311 yards with two touchdowns and one interception towards Tennessee.

Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith had six receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns towards Tennessee.

Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon is projected to go within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft. The six-foot-five, 310-pounder transferred from Michigan State previous to this season.

Ohio State is favoured by 2.5 factors.

No. 7 Notre Dame (12-1) vs. No. 2 Georgia (11-2) in Sugar Bowl, Thursday, time TBA in New Orleans

The sport has been postponed a day following a terror assault in New Orleans.

Georgia earned a first-round bye with a win over Texas within the SEC remaining, but it surely got here with a heavy worth. Star quarterback Carson Beck suffered a season-ending harm within the first half, leaving little-used Gunner Stockton to information the crew the remainder of the best way.

Notre Dame had little hassle with upstart Indiana within the opening spherical, successful 27-17 in a sport that was not almost as shut as the ultimate rating. The Preventing Irish have gained 11 in a row since a shocking house loss to Northern Illinois within the second sport of the season.

Georgia gained back-to-back nationwide titles in 2021 and ’22 below coach Kirby Sensible earlier than lacking the four-team playoff final 12 months in a one-loss season.

Notre Dame made playoff appearances in 2018 and ’20, however misplaced within the semifinals each occasions. Marcus Freeman is in his third 12 months as coach, with the Preventing Irish successful non-CFP bowl video games the final two years.

Redshirt sophomore Stockton was 12-of-16 for 71 yards and an interception within the second half and additional time of the SEC remaining. He threw simply 16 passes earlier than that this season in mop-up responsibility.

Notre Dame dual-threat senior Riley Leonard threw for one landing and ran for one more towards Indiana. He transferred from Duke for his remaining season.

Georgia defensive finish Mykel Williams is anticipated to be picked within the first spherical of subsequent 12 months’s NFL Draft. He had 5 sacks and two pressured fumbles this 12 months. Williams is a part of a go rush tandem with linebacker Jalon Walker, additionally a projected first-rounder.

Notre Dame star security Xavier Watts intercepted a go from Canadian QB Kurtis Rourke and made 10 tackles towards Indiana. He is a two-time all-American.

Georgia is favoured by 1.5 factors.