Big Playoff Matchups Set in Columbus as College Football Playoff Unfolds
Columbus, OH – The buzz around college football is electrifying as the 2024 College Football Playoff brackets were just revealed, bringing us some exciting matchups this December! For the first time ever, the playoff system has expanded to 12 teams, and fans are hopeful to see which squads will rise and shine in this thrilling new format.
First up, the Saturday slate looks packed with action. Notably, it’s a chance to witness the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers taking on the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. This will mark only the second time these two historic programs face off, with their last meeting dating back to the 1996 Citrus Bowl. After a tough loss to Michigan which knocked Ohio out of the Big Ten Championship contention, they’ll look to bounce back in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, Tennessee is ready to make history with its first College Football Playoff appearance, driven by their impressive defensive stats and dynamic running back Dylan Sampson. That kickoff is set for Saturday, December 21 at 8 p.m., and you can catch the action live on ABC/ESPN.
Clemson vs. Texas: A Historic Showdown
Earlier that same day, the No. 12 Clemson Tigers will go head-to-head against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns for the first time ever. This matchup is particularly intriguing, especially since Clemson snatched their spot in the playoffs with a last-second field goal win against SMU in the ACC Championship game. They may have a lower seeding at 12 due to their ranking of 16, but they’ll undoubtedly come in fighting. On the other end, Texas is looking to hold their ground with a flawless record against all but two opponents this season — Georgia, who defeated them twice. Watch for this game at 4 p.m. at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, airing on TNT/MAX.
Penn State and SMU: A Conference Clash
At noon, fans can dive into the matchup between No. 6 Penn State and No. 11 SMU. This game will mark the third meeting between these teams, their first battle since 1978. Both squads have something to prove after a remarkable 11-1 regular season. Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar shined throughout the season, and they’ll definitely want to take advantage of home-field advantage at Beaver Stadium. Mark your calendar for a noon kickoff on Saturday, December 21, and tune in on TNT/MAX.
Rivalry Renewed in South Bend
The first round of the College Football Playoff kicks off a day earlier, on Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m., featuring a fierce rivalry between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 10 Indiana in South Bend. Both teams has successfully concluded their regular seasons with stellar 11-1 records and picked up significant wins against in-state rivals in their final games. With Notre Dame showcasing a high scoring offense, and Indiana’s recent domination in their last game, this clash promises to be a thrilling opener! You can catch this bitter rivalry live on ABC/ESPN.
The Playoff Landscape
With the College Football Playoff expanding, this is a new dawn for college football! The four highest-ranked conference champions will earn first-round byes, while the other eight teams will battle it out in head-to-head matchups across the nation. Unfortunately for Alabama and Miami, they will both miss the playoffs, falling short despite solid finishes. Still, the excitement of this playoff season is palpable, and it will be captivating to see which teams will thrive in this new format!
So, grab your popcorn, cheer on your teams, and stay tuned as we get ready for what promises to be an unforgettable playoff season!
