Joel Klatt’s Must-See Quarterfinal Predictions for the 2024-25 College Football Playoff!

2024-25 College Football Playoff: Joel Klatt’s quarterfinals picks have generated excitement among fans. The inaugural 12-team playoff format is set to showcase thrilling matchups that will determine which teams advance to the semifinals!

Each of the four quarterfinal games will take place as bowl games — the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl — at neutral venues on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. While some may argue for the Rose Bowl to be the national championship game each year, that discussion can wait for another time.

Now, let’s dive into these four exciting games. In the first round, the picks against the spread were impressive, finishing at 3-1. This brings the overall record to 51-32 for the season, showcasing a solid understanding of the matchups.

Here are the insights and predictions for each of the four games.

No. 6 Penn State (-11.5) vs. No. 3 Boise State Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET)

In recent weeks, it is clear that Penn State has been playing at an exceptional level. Despite a recent loss to Oregon, their performance showed they can compete with elite teams. Historically, Penn State has faced challenges against top-tier opponents like Ohio State and Michigan, yet they nearly toppled the Buckeyes earlier this season.

The Nittany Lions are on the verge of greatness. Many skeptics may disagree, but their recent victory against SMU indicated that they are prepared for high-stakes competition. Although Boise State has had a commendable season, they remain a Group of 5 team without the depth of a powerhouse like Penn State.

Currently, Penn State appears to be among the strongest teams in the country, with a genuine opportunity to reach the championship game. Offensively, they demonstrated their capabilities by scoring 37 points and accumulating over 500 yards in the Big Ten Championship Game. Defensively, they stifled the Mustangs in their first-round matchup, allowing only 10 points and securing two pick-sixes.

The offensive strategy has also improved, with running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen combining for 482 yards and five touchdowns in the last two games. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has adjusted his approach since the Ohio State game, ensuring that key players receive the ball in crucial moments.

On the other hand, Boise State’s recent narrow loss to Oregon has led some to believe they could cause an upset. However, that game was a unique opportunity for a non-power conference team to face a top contender. The reality is that elite teams possess the depth needed to endure the rigors of a long season.

Ashton Jeanty stands out as one of the nation’s top running backs, showcasing remarkable endurance and skill. With three and a half weeks off, he poses a significant challenge for Penn State’s defense, which tends to excel in open-field situations. However, teams like Michigan and Ohio State have recently found success by overpowering Penn State with their offensive lines.

Due to these factors, it is expected that Boise State will perform well in the first half, leading to an engaging contest. However, quarterback Maddux Madsen may struggle against the formidable Penn State defense. This matchup presents one of the rare instances where Boise State must step out of its comfort zone, having previously dominated its conference.

Ultimately, Penn State is likely to push Boise State out of its comfort zone and begin to widen the gap in the second half. Even if quarterback Drew Allar faces difficulties, Penn State’s scoring ability will shine through. Their depth will be a significant advantage against Boise State, which tends to win the games it is favored to win.

Pick: Penn State 38, Boise State 24 (Penn State -11.5)

No. 5 Texas (-12.5) vs. No. 4 Arizona State Peach Bowl (Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET)

The 2024-25 College Football Playoff predictions suggest that one of the five teams that triumphed in the first round may struggle in the quarterfinals. Teams often find it challenging to maintain peak performance against strong opponents in consecutive weeks. As a result, Texas or Penn State could potentially overlook their upcoming rivals. Respectfully, Arizona State and Boise State are not likely to instill significant fear in these teams.

Texas displayed their offensive prowess by rushing for 292 yards against Clemson in their first-round victory. However, their run game faltered in two previous matchups against Georgia.

The key question is whether Arizona State can replicate Georgia’s success against Texas’s run game. While Arizona State boasted the No. 1 rush defense in the Big 12, they ranked only 27th nationally, which raises doubts about their effectiveness against a team like Texas. Their defensive line may not match Georgia’s depth either.

However, this quarterfinal matchup presents a prime opportunity for Texas. Coming off a solid win, they face an Arizona State team led by dynamic running back Cam Skattebo, who has proven to be a versatile and difficult player to tackle. Arizona State’s impressive performance against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game was largely thanks to Skattebo. Quarterback Sam Leavitt has also established a strong record, winning 11 of his 12 starts.

The absence of star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson for Arizona State could pose a significant challenge, as their receiving options are limited without him.

While it would be ideal for Arizona State to keep the game close, concerns arise regarding Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. If he is required to lead the Longhorns to victory, questions linger about his ability to perform under pressure. Conversely, if Ewers can focus on game management, he may find success.

Texas’s offensive line, along with the anticipated return of wide receiver Isaiah Bond, should provide a crucial advantage for the Longhorns. Furthermore, Texas’s formidable pass defense is likely to overwhelm Arizona State, although the game may be closer than the spread indicates.

Pick: Texas 31, Arizona State 21 (Arizona State +12.5)

No. 8 Ohio State (-2.5) vs. No. 1 Oregon Rose Bowl (Jan. 1 at 5 p.m. ET)

Ohio State will face Oregon in a rematch after their previous encounter ended in a narrow 32-31 victory for Oregon. Since that game, Ohio State has adjusted its defensive strategy. Initially, their defense aimed to minimize explosive plays, but this approach allowed Oregon to exploit weaknesses on the outside.

Now, Ohio State is better prepared to face Oregon, and quarterback Dillon Gabriel has proven himself a capable leader for the Ducks. Gabriel’s performance against Penn State demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure, showcasing movements that allowed him to evade the Buckeyes’ pass rush.

Despite Ohio State’s reputation for having one of the best defenses in college football, there are concerns regarding their cornerbacks. Denzel Burke may struggle against speedy receivers like Evan Stewart, and Davison Igbinosun has faced penalty issues.

The pivotal question for Ohio State is their offensive game plan. If they approach the game as they did against Nebraska or Michigan, Oregon could take the win. However, a more aggressive strategy similar to their first matchup or against Tennessee could lead to a Buckeyes victory. Ohio State must prioritize getting star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka involved early.

This matchup is particularly challenging to predict, but it is anticipated to be a thrilling contest. Ohio State is expected to win by a narrow margin.

Pick: Ohio State 42, Oregon 41 (Oregon +2.5)

No. 7 Notre Dame (+1.5) vs. No. 2 Georgia Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1 at 8:45 p.m. ET)

Georgia’s offense has faced scrutiny this season, ranking 15th in the SEC for rushing. With a backup quarterback at the helm, the Bulldogs cannot rely heavily on their run game, which was evident during the SEC Championship Game.

Concerns about Georgia’s offense against Notre Dame’s formidable pass defense are valid. The Fighting Irish excel at creating turnovers and capitalizing on mistakes.

On the offensive side, Notre Dame boasts a reliable run game and a quarterback in Riley Leonard who can move effectively. With talented players like Jeremiyah Love, they possess the tools to challenge Georgia’s defense. Leonard has the potential for a standout performance, and Notre Dame’s roster appears well-equipped to handle this matchup.

This is not the same dominant Georgia team seen in recent years, making this matchup one of the easiest to predict.

Pick: Notre Dame 24, Georgia 17 (Notre Dame +1.5)

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