The most important action of a historic college football bowl schedule kicks off today on New Year’s Day with the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff getting underway.
One quarterfinal game is already in the books, as Big Ten runner-up Penn State pulled away from Group of Five selection Boise State to become the first team in the semifinal round.
That leaves three very important games on the schedule today, as the other quarterfinal teams look to sort it out and punch their tickets to the semifinals in a historic national championship run.
Here’s what you need to know as the New Year’s Day college football bowl schedule kicks off.
More … 2024-25 college football bowl schedule
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All times Eastern, and game lines are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Peach Bowl
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Texas vs. Arizona State
Wed., Jan. 1 | 1 p.m. | ESPN
Line: Texas -13
Texas advanced to the quarterfinal round after defeating Clemson at home in the first round game, fielding two 100-yard rushers in a signature victory as the SEC runners-up.
And the Longhorns also field one of college football’s most statistically-dominant defenses this year, a critical advantage going against one of the nation’s hottest offenses.
Running back Cam Skattebo is the engine behind Big 12 champion Arizona State’s confident attack, accounting for more than 1,500 yards this season.
Texas is a big favorite in the game, with a greater than 80 percent chance to win outright and projected to be 11.9 points better on the same field, according to ESPN’s College Football Power Index computer prediction model.
More … Texas vs. Arizona State Prediction
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Rose Bowl
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Ohio State vs. Oregon
Wed., Jan. 1 | 5 p.m. | ESPN
Line: Ohio State -2.5
College football’s most sought-after ticket this week finds a notable rematch of one of the most exciting regular season games of this past year.
Oregon edged out Ohio State by 1 point in their meeting back in October and since then, the Ducks finished as the sport’s only undefeated team and as the Big Ten champion.
Ohio State dropped a stunner to Michigan despite being a big favorite, but rebounded to smash Tennessee in the first round game at home and earn a spot in the Rose Bowl.
Both teams field some of college football’s most dynamic skill players, so we could see a shootout in the sport’s most photogenic venue and its most famous field.
Ohio State has a 54 percent chance to avenge its loss to Oregon, but in a very close game, projected to finish just 1.3 points better on the same field, according to FPI’s prediction model.
More … Ohio State vs. Oregon Prediction
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Sugar Bowl
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal
Georgia vs. Notre Dame
Wed., Jan. 1 | 8:45 p.m. | ESPN
Line: Georgia -1
SEC champion Georgia earned the first round bye, all the better considering it has to break in a new quarterback on rather short notice after Carson Beck suffered an injury to his throwing arm.
That paves the way for Gunner Stockton to step into the QB1 role for the Bulldogs, short on experience, but high on potential and confidence from his teammates, who have spent the last week talking up their new quarterback.
Notre Dame handled Indiana in the first round game behind another solid rushing effort and dominant defensive showing, and pose a real threat when running the ball.
Jeremiyah Love and quarterback Riley Leonard power an Irish ground attack that ranks 10th nationally in total production, but faces a stiff test against Georgia’s front seven defenders.
Notre Dame is the narrow favorite in the matchup, winning out in 54 percent of the FPI’s computer simulations, and is projected to be 1.4 points better than Georgia on the same field.
More … Georgia vs. Notre Dame Prediction
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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James Parks is the founder and publisher of College Football HQ. He previously covered football for 247Sports and CBS Interactive. College Football HQ joined the Sports Illustrated Fannation Network in 2022.
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