Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson celebrate a touchdown by Johnson as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho Vandals Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES First in the rankings for weeks, the Ducks are undefeated but not entirely invincible. They have one-point wins over Boise State and Ohio State and left the door open for Penn State to push the Big Ten Championship to overtime last weekend.
But here they are, at 13-0, as the favorite to win the national championship next month.
The challengers are many.
While Oregon, Arizona State, Boise State and Georgia are idle until the quarterfinals, the candidates to oust the Ducks’ bid for a 16-0 season and national championship are plentiful.
Here’s a peek at what the outcome of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff could look like, round by round:
First round, (Dec. 20-21)
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws during the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES Texas 27, Clemson 19 (Austin, Texas)
If the Longhorns are healthy, they can beat any team in the field. Clemson has a puncher’s chance, but only if everything breaks the Tigers’ way.
Ohio State 18, Tennessee 12 (Columbus, Ohio)
There’s much to figure out for two offenses that stagnated in the second half of the season. A FG battle breaks out between teams with enough talent to hush doubters.
Penn State 27, SMU 26 (State College, Pa.)
The Mustangs’ speed on both sides of the ball could be muted if they enter the Nittany Lions’ den and must cope with weather. SMU’s defensive front is legit, but Penn State can play a power game that kept them in the game against Oregon.
Notre Dame 23, Indiana 20 (South Bend, Ind.)
The 7-10 matchup is pretty intriguing. Indiana is at a stage in the season where everything is an unknown. Are we ready to buy Notre Dame as a true contender?
Quarterfinals (Dec. 31, Jan. 1)
Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) passes the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Ford Field. credits: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports Texas 28, Arizona State 24 (Peach Bowl)
Sun Devils can tip this in their favor with a big lead early. One-dimensional Texas has proven beatable with 60 total rushing yards in two losses to Georgia. If the Longhorns can get ahead and maintain balance, they advance.
Oregon 40, Ohio State 20 (Rose Bowl)
A hard reset brought on by two weeks of practices and a win over Tennessee has the Buckeyes back in the right mindset, but they’re again overmatched by QB Dillon Gabriel and the big-play arsenal of Oregon.
Penn State 22, Boise State 17 (Fiesta Bowl)
Power football goes the way of the Nittany Lions, who have the RB rotation on offense to put up points and the defensive line/linebacker group to corral RB Ashton Jeanty.
Georgia 23, Notre Dame 13 (Sugar Bowl)
If they’re without Carson Beck, are the Bulldogs threats to be upset? Not this time. An NFL-level defense pushes Georgia into the semifinals.
Semifinals (Orange Bowl, Thursday, Jan. 9. Cotton Bowl, Friday, Jan. 10)
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) leads the team onto the field before the game against the Florida State Seminoles for the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Oregon 34, Texas 24
Texas can score with the Ducks if the Longhorns’ offensive line is right. But no team has shown the stamina for all four quarters to eliminate Oregon, and t
Georgia 20, Penn State 10
More defensive might from the Bulldogs helps Georgia grind down Penn State in a game that goes down to the final 15 minutes.
National title game
Oregon 27, Georgia 17
Since October, it’s been looking an awful lot like the year of the Duck.
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