The “Grandaddy of Them All” will showcase a rematch from one of the better games in all of college football this season. Oregon and Ohio State met up in Autzen Stadium back in October, with the Ducks narrowly escaping with a 32-31 victory.
Now, meeting up again in the playoff, both sides will be looking to make a massive statement. Oregon wants to prove that their undefeated regular season was no fluke and take down arguably their biggest competition in this tournament. Ohio State will be out for revenge against a team that they felt they should have beaten.
Ohio State is coming off a massive rout of the Tennessee Volunteers while Oregon will come in fresh off a bye in the playoff. The Buckeyes looked dominant against the Volunteers but they have been inconsistent this season.
If the Buckeyes come out like they did against Tennesee, they will be tough to beat. But there is a reason why Oregon kept their record unblemished all season.
This game has all the makings to be a lower-scoring affair, especially with Georgia quarterback Carson Beck expected to miss due to injury. The Bulldogs enter this playoff ready to prove themselves but they have been as vulnerable as ever this season.
They haven’t been as dominant as we’ve come to expect in recent years, making them potentially susceptible to an upset. Notre Dame dominated against a high-powered Indiana team, with their defense leading the charge.
The Fighting Irish have the tools to make this game trouble for the Bulldogs, especially up front defensively. The key will be whether Georgia can get the running game going to open things up through the air.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has established himself around college football and a win here would push that narrative even further. Look for the Fighting Irish to continue forward and eliminate the Bulldogs.
The Broncos have been one of the best teams all season long, led by star running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty was a Heisman Trophy runner up and he has expressed his frustrations with not winning the award.
Jeanty could look to take his anger out on the Nittany Lions, proving that he should have won the award. But it will take more than Jeanty to knock Penn State out.
The Nittany Lions have a solid defense and are one of the best teams that Boise State has played this year. The Broncos did hang tight against Oregon earlier in the season, prompting many to take them seriously as title contenders.
Penn State isn’t Oregon but they are still very good. However, Boise State has been weirdly overlooked all season and they will prove themselves to any doubters in this game.
