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Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Texas have successfully progressed to establish the inaugural 12-team college football playoff final four. The victors of this round will move forward to vie for the national championship in college football. Each of these institutions is historically recognized as one of the premier college football programs in the nation.
A shared characteristic among all four teams is their defensive prowess. The Fighting Irish demonstrated remarkable strength by limiting its playoff adversaries to 27 points. Similarly, Penn State has showcased its defensive capabilities, restricting its two opponents to 24 points, a significant achievement considering they faced future first-round draft pick running back Ashton Jeanty. The Nifty Lions successfully contained Jeanty, allowing him only 104 yards on 30 carries without permitting any touchdowns. Additionally, tight end Tyler Warren achieved a milestone by recording his 98th reception of the season, setting a new single-season record for Penn State, surpassing the previous 97 receptions held by Allen Robinson in 2013.
The matchup between the Buckeyes and Texas will likely attract significant attention, particularly due to the involvement of five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers decided to forgo his senior year at Southlake Carroll High School to commence his collegiate journey at Ohio State, subsequently transferring to Texas before the 2022 season. At Ohio State, he backed up to C.J. Stroud, the former Buckeyes quarterback who currently plays for the Texans.
There won’t be a shortage of future NFL talent when the Buckeyes (12-2) and Texas (13-2) step on the turf at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Both teams possess potent offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Nevertheless, the outcome may hinge on defensive performances, injuries, and turnovers. Ohio State aims to maintain its stronghold, having recently demonstrated its domination, 41-21, by avenging an earlier season loss against No. 1 Oregon.
Texas triumphed in a thrilling double overtime match against Arizona State, securing a 39-31 victory after defensive back Andrew Mukuba intercepted a pass from Sam Leavitt. Despite the Sun Devils’ huge comeback, overcoming a 16-point deficit, and witnessing Texas fail to convert two crucial field goal attempts in the closing moments of regulation, it came down to the game’s last play.