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.

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Any of the top three teams could sit atop the rankings. However, we will side with Georgia, which has talent at every position on its roster. 

Fresh off last season’s championship, the top Dawgs are focused on returning to the final four. Georgia, like many other teams, has holes to fill. The schedule is its biggest enemy some say, but Coach Kirby disagrees with. It’s about what we do and not who we play, says Kirby. The schedule won’t be the reason the Dawgs stop pursuing its third consecutive championship.

Oklahoma, who appeared to be the top threat on Georgia’s schedule, was canceled because of the SEC expansion. The Sooners and Texas will join the SEC in 2025. Still, according to sources, the two could join sooner. 

Georgia placed 11 players on the 2023 preseason media days all-southeastern team’s first team and four on the second team. This supports another reason the Dawgs are favorites to win the national championship. Junior tight end Brock Bowers is on the first team offense list. (Sophomore) Mykel Williams, senior Nazir Stackhouse, junior Jamon Dumas-Johnson, sophomore Malaki Starks, and juniors Kamari Lassiter and Javon Bullard also received first-team honors. 

Senior running back Kendall Milton, senior guard Xavier Truss, junior linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr. Linebacker Jalon Walker, and senior snapper William Mote round out the second team. 

One recent change watched Mike Bobo become the new offensive coordinator after Todd Monken left for the Baltimore Ravens.

Last season did not end well for the Wolverines. But the return of key starters has the city of Ann Arbor thinking championship. No. 2 Michigan is looking to play one game more than last season. 

TCU upset the Wolverines, 51-45, in the CFP semifinals. 

Will this be the season Michigan writes its own story? J.J. McCarthy is back with help. Running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are among the top contributors, along with Kris Jenkins, Will Johnson, Rod Moore, Drake Nugent, and Zak Zinter.

The Wolverines out-duel its arc rival Ohio State the last two seasons, 45-23 (2022) and 42-27 (2021), snapping an eight-game losing streak for the first time in 22 years. This past season’s win helped propel Michigan into the final four. 

The No. 3 Buckeyes, much like the Dawgs, has talent in each position on its roster, and looks to snap the Wolverines’ two-game winning streak when it meets in Ann Arbor on November 25th. 

The Buckeyes will have to replace CJ Stroud, now with the Texans. Devin Brown and Kyle McCord will battle for the quarterback position. McCord is a true junior entering his third season with two years of eligibility left. He has played in 12 games. The accurate gunslinger has thrown for 606 yards, finishing 15-of-18 for 319 yards and two touchdowns against Akron. His arm is sharp with the underneath passes and the deep ball. McCord can hang his hat on education as a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and an Academic all-Big Ten honoree majoring in communications.

Brown played in two games in 2022, versus Toledo and Rutgers. The red-shirt sophomore arrived on campus in January 2022 and has four years of eligibility remaining.

A finger injury during spring drills sidelined him for the final four practices and the spring game. He’s also an OSU Scholar-Athlete majoring in finance.

Here’s a look at the remaining top 25 teams.

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Though the Tide fell in last year’s national championship game to SEC foe Georgia 33-18, Alabama enters the preseason atop the AFCA Coaches Poll. Still, the No. 2 Buckeyes and No. 3 Bulldogs boast enough talent to win it all. 

The Bulldogs waited 41 years before winning the championship last season. Quarterback Stetson Bennett, receivers Brock Bowers, Adonai Mitchell and cornerback Kelee Ringo enticed the victory with key plays. Bennett’s 40-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell all but closed the game. However, Bowers was on the receiving end of a 15-yard scoring pass with 3:33 left as Ringo’s interception brought Georgia fans to its feet.

No. 11 Oregon will make the trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday, September 03, 2022, to face the Bulldogs in an early season showdown. Georgia will need a season like last year if it looks to defend its title. 

Ohio State is in the title debate after dealing Utah a loss in the Rose Bowl last season. The late-season loss to Michigan frustrated the Buckeyes and kept it out of the championship series. However, this season Ohio State looks to control its destiny.

The Buckeyes welcome No. 5 Notre Dame to Columbus to open the season on Saturday in a showdown of top five ranked teams. The fighting Irish won’t be looking to rest, and its chances of reaching the national title round rest in mistake-free football and limiting turnovers. 

Who can stay alive, avoid the upset bug and avoid injuries might have the best chance to play at Lucas Oil Stadium come January. 

The remaining schools will look to improve on last season’s finishes. 

View a listing of the college football top 25 below. 

1. Alabama 
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia 
4. Clemson
5. Norte Dame
6. Michigan 
7. Texas A&M
8. Utah
9. Oklahoma 
10. Baylor
11. Oklahoma State
12. Oregon
13. NC State 
14. Michigan State
15. USC
16. Pittsburgh 
17. Miami 
18. Texas 
19. Wake Forest 
20. Wisconsin 
21. Kentucky 
22. Cincinnati 
23. Arkansas 
24. Ole Miss
25. Houston

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