The College Football Playoff got underway Friday but the main course is spread out through Saturday. Three first-round games will be played across three separate campus sites from State College, Pennsylvania, to Austin, Texas and then finishing in Columbus, Ohio.
Two of the matchups will in Big Ten cities where cold weather is expected to impact teams from the SEC and ACC. The other sees an SEC team host an ACC representative with each favoring a different shade of orange. It sets up for a great day as the quarterfinals will be set for the New Year’s Day bowls
Just as a reminder as this is the first year of the expanded playoff, the seed numbers you see below will not correspond to the teams’ position in the final US LBM Coaches Poll of the regular season, nor do they necessarily reflect their actual final ranking by the playoff committee.
Let’s get to the games.
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, TNT.
Why watch: Saturday’s first-round tripleheader kicks off with this clash of conference runners-up in State College. As it happens, their respective championship games concluded at nearly the same time a couple of weeks ago, though the Mustangs’ loss on a last-second bomb of a field goal was perhaps more painful. The Nittany Lions are hard to beat on their home field, though Ohio State managed it in early November. If SMU is to pull it off, QB Kevin Jennings and RB Brashard Smith will both need a big day running the ball. Jennings might also need his mobility to evade Penn State DL Abdul Carter when he does attempt to throw. Nittany Lions QB Drew Allar also gets plenty of ground support from RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, and he also has TE Tyler Warren who can do a little of everything. LB Kobe Wilson and DB Isaiah Nwokobia are names you’ll hear often when the Mustangs’ defense is on the field.
Why it could disappoint: The departure of Nittany Lions’ backup QB Beau Pribula leaves them without a reliable plan B should the unthinkable happen, or even if Allar is nicked up for a play or two. On the other side, SMU has handled road challenges at Louisville and Duke but this represents a step up in terms of hostile environs.
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Time/TV: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, TNT.
Why watch: Clemson is the one team playing in the opening weekend that actually won its conference title. The Longhorns were also in action two weeks ago so there’s no rest advantage, but the extra-game factor might be something to keep an eye on for the advancing team. For now, the immediate focus is on how both offenses that have struggled at times during the fall will perform in a must-win situation. Texas QB Quinn Ewers has been solid against every opponent not named Georgia, but the Clemson defensive front, with the likes of DL T.J. Parker and LB Sammy Brown, could also cause him problems. RB Quintrevion Wisner and TE Gunnar Helm will be needed to help finish drives in the red zone. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik has had his moments, using some timely runs to help a consistent if not explosive aerial attack. WR Antonio Williams is his most reliable big-play target, and he is sure to get added attention from Texas DB Michael Taaffe.
Why it could disappoint: There’s a high potential for this to be a defensive slog, as that side of the ball has been stronger for both teams at times. Theoretically, the Longhorns would be better equipped to mount a rally should one team jump out to an early lead, but that falls in the realm of supposition.
Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The first round concludes with this heavyweight showdown of programs with rich histories and devoted fan bases. It’s been a bit longer since the Volunteers were playing for national championships, but they get a crack here at the Buckeyes, who turned in a hugely disappointing performance in its last outing. It wasn’t just that Ohio State lost to archrival Michigan, which admittedly could still field a formidable defense. But the Buckeyes failed to move the ball which might not bode well with another top-tier defense, the second stingiest in the SEC in yards allowed, coming to Columbus. Expect Tennessee DL James Pearce Jr. and friends to bring the heat on Ohio State QB Will Howard from the opening snap. Howard’s cause would be helped if the Buckeyes can get RBs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson going early. Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson has been a beast all season with 1,485 rush yards and 22 TDs. He’ll need some air cover from QB Nico Iamaleava, who might have a hard time solving the Buckeyes’ talented safety group led by Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles.
Why it could disappoint: Again, this could turn into another low-scoring rumble, especially if winter temperatures make a reliable passing game hard to execute. That would also mean a blowout is unlikely, but it might not always be the most exciting brand of football.
