Ohio State looks to rebound:
Ryan Day’s Ohio State coaching career looks about over. Four straight losses to Michigan is unacceptable in many eyes of Ohio State fans. Ohio State winning a championship will be the only thing that can keep Ryan Day around, and Ohio State fans might not even see that as enough. Ohio State’s path to the championship will be one of the wildest trips to the championship, if they can go all the way. They start with a first round matchup against Tennessee, where Ohio State is currently listed as 7.5 point favorites. If they can survive that matchup, they will face Oregon, the only undefeated team in the playoff. Oregon beat Ohio State earlier this season by one point. After that Ohio State will have to get through the final four of the CFP. Ohio State has had promising wins so far this season, with a victory over Penn State and a commanding victory over Indiana, and their defense has looked superb late in the season. The biggest question will be if their offensive line will be able to hold up through the CFP.
Oregon looks to cap off perfect season:
Oregon is the only undefeated team in the CFP, with wins over Ohio State, Boise State, and Penn State so far this season. Oregon is averaging 35.9 points per game so far this year, led by 23 year old quarterback Dillon Gabriel, one of the most experienced college football quarterbacks ever. He is NCAA’s all time leader in touchdowns with 183. Oregon could potentially have a rematch in their first round against Ohio State, who Oregon beat by one point earlier this season. Oregon is the heavy favorite entering the college football playoff, and would complete the best season in college football history with a 16-0 record.
Ashton Jeanty tries to prove he’s the best player in college football:
Ashton Jeanty has carried Boise State to the College football playoff. Jeanty leads the NCAA in rushing yards by 837 yards. He has ran for 2,497 yards this season, and is the fourth most rushing yards in a season all time. Despite receiving 309 first place votes, Jeanty lost the Heisman race to Travis Hunter. Jeanty could prove himself as the best player in college football and the 2025 draft by taking Boise State to a championship victory. Boise St. begins the CFP with a first round bye. Boise State’s only loss this season is a three point loss to Oregon, and looks like a dark horse to go to the championship.
How will a 12 team playoff affect the champion?
This will be the first time that we will see a 12 team playoff, giving unlikely teams such as Arizona St, Indiana, and SMU a shot at winning a national title. When college football expanded from two to four teams, four seed Ohio State won the national title. We could see another underdog champion, or more of the same from heavy hitters like Oregon.
