#10 Indiana Hoosiers @ #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The new 12-team College Football Playoff kicks off Friday night with a battle for the state of Indiana. Notre Dame (11-1) will host Indiana (11-1) for the right to play #2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Fighting Irish are on a 10-game winning streak and have been mostly untested since their win over Louisville at the end of September. Indiana boasts a high-powered offense that has been unstoppable for all but two games this season. Indiana could only muster 20 points in a win over Michigan and 15 in its loss to Ohio State. While we think they will have better success against the Irish, we envision Marcus Freeman’s team prevailing.
Prediction: Notre Dame wins 34-26
#11 SMU Mustangs @ #6 Penn State Nittany Lions
The second game of the weekend pits a first-year ACC member against a legendary Big Ten program. Fresh off a three-point loss in the ACC Championship Game, SMU (11-2) is an 8.5-point underdog against Penn State (11-2). The Nittany Lions gave Oregon a late challenge in the Big Ten Championship Game but were unable to complete the comeback. With snow forecasted for Friday night and possible snow showers coming Saturday, SMU may be in for a challenge. Penn State has struggled in big games under James Franklin and the pressure is certainly on his team. SMU’s fast-paced offense led by star QB Kevin Jennings will ultimately be too much to deal with for the Nittany Lions.
Prediction: SMU wins 28-24
#12 Clemson Tigers @ #5 Texas Longhorns
When the final seconds ticked off the clock in Clemson’s (10-3) loss to South Carolina in its regular season finale, nobody envisioned the Tigers having an opportunity to play in the ACC Championship Game — let alone the CFP. However, Miami’s loss hours later opened the door for the Tigers and they capitalized by knocking off SMU in the ACC Championship to earn an automatic bid. However, their run is about to end. Texas (11-2) lost the SEC Championship in overtime — its second loss to Georgia this season — but is the superior group. Even with QB Quinn Ewers operating at less than 100 percent, the Longhorns will have far too much for Clemson to handle. Horns, big.
Prediction: Texas wins 38-17
#9 Tennessee Volunteers @ #8 Ohio State Buckeyes
On paper, the last game of the first round is the most exciting contest. Tennessee (10-2) will enter Columbus with its eyes set on upsetting Ohio State (10-2). The Buckeyes enter the matchup a 7-point favorite, but the last time we saw Ryan Day’s group they were reeling from a home loss to Michigan. The Volunteers won their last two games of the season following a loss at Georgia. OSU’s defense will be the toughest group the Vols have faced this season — can they produce? We think they will. Day’s job will be the storyline coming out of this game.
Prediction: Tennessee wins 23-20Â
