In a Jan. 1 postgame press conference, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was asked about his “clutch” performance that led to the team’s 39-31 double-overtime win against Arizona State University. Ewers threw two touchdown passes in overtime that ended in two 25-plus-yard touchdowns, which sealed the quarterfinal win for Texas.

Notre Dame will be without a tight end as it sits two wins away from its first national championship in 36 years.

The Buckeyes’ defense will be tested by the high-flying Longhorns, who are 13-2 and rank 21st in scoring. Texas lost to Georgia twice this year but bounced back to beat Clemson in the first round and Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, approaching 40 points in both victories.

Conference champions did not have a memorable postseason as all 5 have already been eliminated from the College Football Playoff.

The Story: When the Irish lost 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7, Notre Dame’s odds of winning the national title ballooned to 100-1. Twelve wins later, including two by double digits in the playoffs, and they are listed at 7-1.

The first round of the College Football Playoff was a disappointment, but no adjustments should have been made to the 12 teams selected. Here is why.

This week, they will need more of the same, as they travel down to Miami to take on the 13-2 Penn State Nittany Lions. Head coach James Franklin is riding high off of two double digit wins in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Defenses are winning out as the College Football Playoff moves on to the semifinals. Ohio State, Notre Dame and Texas have top-five national pass defenses. The exception, Penn State, has perhaps the best individual defensive player in the field,

Ohio State, Texas, Penn State and Notre Dame all rank in the top eight nationally in total defense, with All-American talent spread throughout their lineups.

Just three games remain in the 2024-25 college football season. Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame, and Penn State compete for a spot in the National Championship – who will it be?