The expanded College Football Playoff still feels like it needs some adjustments, but at least we have a final four with plenty of prestige.
The last teams standing all rank in the all-time top 10 in wins.
Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame and Penn State all won first-round CFP games at home before knocking off higher-ranked teams coming off byes in neutral-site quarterfinals.
It seems likely the powers that be will revisit the format. With the four top seeds (all had to be conference champions) getting byes, they didn't play for three-plus weeks — which can be seen as a disadvantage. There's also an argument to be made about whether conference champions should automatically be the highest-ranked teams — or if we even need conference championship games in the first place.
These are all questions for another day, however. Once again, we'll be on neutral fields (though Texas will be in its home state) for semifinal bowl action Thursday and Friday
Here's a look at the two games, along with the lines (as of Tuesday) from BetMGM.
No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1) vs. No. 6 Penn State (13-2) in Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla., Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Notre Dame has won 11 in a row since a stunning loss at home to Northern Illinois. The Fighting Irish beat Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans last week after topping Indiana 27-17 in the first round.
Penn State seemed to go under the radar in the Big Ten all year as Oregon and Ohio State battled for top spot in the country while upstart Indiana authored a Cinderella story.
Now, people are wondering if Penn State has taken advantage of a favourable draw. The Nittany Lions crushed SMU 38-10 in the first round before topping Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.
Recent history
Notre Dame made playoff appearances in 2018 and '20, but lost in the semifinals both times. Marcus Freeman is in his third year as coach, with the Fighting Irish winning non-CFP bowl games the last two years. Notre Dame's last national title was in 1988 when Rocket Ismail was a freshman.
Penn State, in its 11th season under coach James Franklin, is appearing in the playoff for the first time since it went to four teams in 2014. The Nittany Lions hit double digits in wins for the third year in a row. Penn State's most recent national championship was in 1986.
The quarterbacks
Penn State junior Drew Allar hasn't put up huge numbers in the CFP, but he showed the ability to complete longer passes in the Fiesta Bowl. He has said he is returning to school next season, but he could be a high pick in the NFL Draft if he changes his mind.
Notre Dame dual-threat senior Riley Leonard ran for 80 yards and threw for 90 in the Sugar Bowl. He transferred from Duke for his final season.
Players to watch
Penn State star edge rusher Abdul Carter seemed to suffer an arm or shoulder injury in the last game. His status is up in the air. If he plays, how effective will he be? Offensively, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren hauled in two touchdown passes against Boise State.
Notre Dame lost sack leader Rylie Mills to a season-ending injury against Indiana. But the Fighting Irish still are very strong defensively, led by ball-hawking safety Xavier Watts. Offensively, the Fighting Irish prefer to run with Leonard or with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
Key matchup
Penn State held Heisman Trophy runner-up running back Ashton Jeanty of Boise State to a season-low 3.5 yards per carry in the Fiesta Bowl. If the nation's eighth-ranked run defence has a similar outing against Notre Dame, Penn State has an excellent chance to win.
BetMGM line
Notre Dame is favoured by 2.5 points.
No. 8 Ohio State (12-2) vs. No. 5 Texas (13-2) in Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m PT
After a disastrous loss to arch-rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium in its regular-season finale, Ohio State has bounced back in a big way. The Buckeyes blasted Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the CFP before crushing previously unbeaten Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl.
Texas has had a tougher time. The Longhorns blew a two-score fourth-quarter lead before beating underdog Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in the Peach Bowl last week. That followed a 38-24 triumph over Clemson in the first round.
Recent history
Texas has improved every year since Steve Sarkisian took over in 2021. Last year, the Longhorns lost to Washington in a national semifinal. The Longhorns' last national title came in 2005 with Vince Young at QB.
Ohio State is in the playoff for the fourth time under Ryan Day since he took over as coach in 2019, but he hasn't lifted the championship title yet. A Joey Bosa-led Buckeyes squad captured Ohio State's last national title in 2014.
The quarterbacks
Ohio State's Will Howard transferred from Kansas State after four seasons. He threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns against Oregon.
Texas junior Quinn Ewers is expected to declare for the NFL Draft and figures to be a top-five QB. He was excellent down the stretch against Arizona State, finishing with 322 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Players to watch
Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith might be the first pick in this year's NFL Draft if he was eligible. He has 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns in two CFP games.
Texas junior receiver Matthew Golden had seven catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona State. He averages 16.7 yards per catch.
Key matchup
The Longhorns' third-ranked pass defence against Howard, Smith and the Ohio State passing attack. Jahdae Barron of Texas won the Jim Thorpe Award this year as the top defensive back in college football.
BetMGM line
Ohio State is a six-point favourite.
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