The College Football Playoff 25 simulation predicts that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the championship game. As excitement builds for the inaugural 12-team tournament, fans are gearing up for thrilling matchups this week. The first semifinal will take place on Thursday, showcasing the Penn State Nittany Lions battling the Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl. Following that, the Cotton Bowl will feature a highly anticipated clash between the Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns on Friday.
Before the real action unfolds, two simulations conducted by EA Sports College Football 25 offer intriguing insights into potential outcomes.
Penn State vs. Notre Dame
In the first semifinal, the Fighting Irish enter the game as slight favorites, with a 1.5-point spread. This close margin reflects the expected competitiveness of the matchup, and the simulation mirrored this expectation. It concluded with Notre Dame securing a narrow 31-24 victory in overtime.
The scoring kicked off with Notre Dame’s quarterback Riley Leonard connecting with standout running back Jeremiyah Love for a 23-yard touchdown, establishing a 7-0 lead over the Nittany Lions. However, Penn State quickly responded, as quarterback Drew Allar found wide receiver Julian Fleming for a 10-yard touchdown just minutes later.
The game evolved into a thrilling back-and-forth contest, with both teams tied at 14-14 by halftime. As the fourth quarter wound down, Penn State held a 24-21 lead until Notre Dame’s kicker Mitch Jeter tied the game at 24-24, pushing it into overtime.
During the extra period, Love charged into the end zone from the 1-yard line, giving the Irish a 31-24 advantage. Notre Dame’s defense held firm, denying Penn State a score on their possession.
Leonard, who threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, earned the title of Player of the Game, propelling the Irish to the championship round.
Winner: Notre Dame
Ohio State vs. Texas
The Ohio State Buckeyes initiated scoring in their semifinal clash against the Texas Longhorns when quarterback Will Howard connected with freshman standout Jeremiah Smith for a 43-yard touchdown, taking an early 7-0 lead. Texas responded with a touchdown in the second quarter, equalizing the score at 7-7. However, the Buckeyes regained the lead with a field goal before halftime, finishing the half at 10-7.
Howard’s solid performance paved the way for Ohio State to advance, setting the stage for a title showdown against Notre Dame on January 20.
Winner: Ohio State
While these outcomes stem from a video game simulation and may not reflect reality, they add an entertaining layer to the anticipation surrounding the actual games. Fans are encouraged to enjoy the upcoming matchups and see how they unfold on the field.
Enjoy the (real) games!
