Now that the 12-team College Football Playoff has arrived, Penn State has a chance to compete. Eleven other teams, however, also wanted to compete for this year’s national championship.
Now that the bracket has been decided, let’s examine each of the 12 CFP teams, including Penn State, and determine what aspects of their strengths could prevent them from taking home the national championship.
OREGON (13-0)
Committee ranking: 1; seed: No. 1
First game: January 1 Rose Bowl matchup against the Ohio State-Tennessee victor
Biggest strength: The Ducks’ ascent to collegiate football glory has been based on speed, and this Oregon squad best exemplifies it. Jordan James and Noah Whittington are a dangerous running back tandem, and Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, and Traeshon Holden are explosive wide receivers. The Nittany Lions have a top-10 defense, and Penn State found it difficult to handle that speed in the Big Ten final. Be careful, CFP.
Dan Lanning, head coach of Oregon, in the fourth quarter of the December 7, 2024, Big Ten Championship game
[email protected] Joe [email protected] Joe Hermitt
Georgia (11-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 2; seed: No. 2
First game: Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl matchup vs Notre Dame-India victor
Strength: It is well known, particularly among Philadelphia Eagles supporters, that Georgia has been a breeding ground for defensive studs in the NFL in recent years. Once more, it is the case. Specifically, three players DB In the 2025 NFL draft, Malaki Starks, LB Javon Walker, and EDGE Mykel Williams could be selected in the top ten. Having game-changers who are incredibly athletic helps.
BOISE STATE (12-1)
Ranking by committee: No. 9; seed: No. 3.
First game: Dec. 31 Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State-SMU victor
Biggest strength: Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty, who is just 132 yards shy from breaking the single-season FBS rushing record held by Barry Sanders. Watch a highlight reel of Jeanty if you haven’t already. The man is absurd.
State of Arizona (11-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 12; seed: No. 4.
First game: January 1 Peach Bowl against the Texas-Clemson victor
The team’s greatest strength is Sam Leavitt, the rookie quarterback who has been instrumental in Arizona State’s run for a Big 12 championship with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. However, Cam Skattebo is in charge of this team. With 2,074 scrimmage yards (1,568 rushing, 506 receiving) this season, the versatile tailback is second only to Jeanty in the FBS.
Texas (11-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 3; seed: No. 5
First game: Dec. 21 at Clemson, No. 12
Texas’s supremacy in the trenches is its greatest strength. Cameron Williams and Kelvin Banks Jr. are two offensive tackles that the Longhorns could select in the first round. Texas ranks in the top 10 nationally in terms of TFLs and sacks. Two of college football’s top defensive tackles are Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. Beating Texas up front is a difficult challenge.
PENN STATE (11-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 4; seed: No. 6.
First game: Dec. 21 at SMU, No. 11
The team’s greatest strength is that they are a well-rounded group with players who can win in a variety of ways. Along with Ohio State and Notre Dame, Penn State is one of three teams in the field that rank in the top 10 nationally in terms of both offense and defense yards per play. This roster is designed for a CFP run and is supported by elite players like Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter.
The defensive end for Penn State On November 30, 2024, Dani Dennis-Sutton celebrates a sack with linebacker Kobe King and defensive end Abdul Carter during the third quarter.
[email protected] Joe [email protected] Joe Hermitt
DAME NOTRE (11-1)
Ranking by committee: No. 5; seed: No. 7.
First game: Dec. 20 vs Indiana, ranked No. 10
Biggest strength: It makes sense that Notre Dame is ranked fourth in the country for game management by ESPN. The Fighting Irish control play and win games by the scruff of the neck. When you’re third in the FBS with an average of 6.3 yards per rush, it helps.
State of Ohio (10-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 6; seed: No. 8.
First game: vs. No. 9 Tennessee on December 21
Biggest strength: You might mention talented athletes like Quinshon Judkins and Jeremiah Smith. However, the defense is possibly the greatest in the nation. They feature the nation’s top safety tandem (Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom), athletic linebackers (Cody Simon and Sonny Styles), and three possible first-round picks in the trenches (Tyleik Williams, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Jack Sawyer).
Tennessee (10-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 7; seed: No. 9.
First game: Dec. 21 at Ohio State, ranked eighth
Biggest strength: This offense uses the ground game, but former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava commands attention. One of college football’s most effective and patient tailbacks is Dylan Sampson. In 10 out of 12 games this season, he has rushed for 100 yards or more.
Indiana (11-1)
Ranking by committee: No. 8; seed: No. 10.
First game: Dec. 20 vs Notre Dame, ranked seventh
Biggest strength: To defeat Notre Dame, Indiana has the playmakers, including WR Elijah Surratt, QB Kurtis Rourke, and EDGE Mikail Kamara. Intangibly, though, this Indiana club has a mindset and a belief system that comes from first-year coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers are a self-assured group for a club assembled with Group of Five transfers. That is important.
SMU (11-2)
Ranking by committee: No. 10; seed: No. 11.
First game: Dec. 21 vs Penn State, ranked sixth
The Mustangs’ greatest strength is their powerful offensive, which ranks sixth in the FBS in terms of scoring (38.5 points per game) and plays of 20 yards or more (72). One deadly dual-threat quarterback is Kevin Jennings. One of the nation’s most underappreciated running backs is Brashard Smith. Additionally, one of college football’s top offensive play-callers is head coach Rhett Lashlee.
CLEMSON (10-3)
Ranking by committee: 16; seed: No. 12
First game:No. 21 at No. 5 Texas
Biggest strength:Ever since the Week 1 loss to Georgia, Cade Klubnik has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Klubnik has accounted for 3,761 total yards (3,303 passing, 458 rushing) with 40 total touchdowns this year. Now, the Austin native will lead Clemson against his hometown Longhorns. If Klubnik is at his best, Clemson can make a run.
Stories by
Johnny McGonigal
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