The College Football Playoff bracket is finalized, with matchups lined up. Who will emerge as the first national champion in the new 12-team format?

Oregon and Georgia are favored as top seeds. The Ducks remain the sole unbeaten team in the Bowl Subdivision after a strong debut season in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, Georgia capped off their third SEC title under coach Kirby Smart by defeating Texas twice in one season.

However, both teams will face fierce competition from a group of traditional powerhouses, including Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, and Notre Dame in the at-large playoff slots.

It’s clear that any of seven teams could make a deep run through the tournament. This leaves teams like Clemson, SMU, Indiana, Boise State, and Arizona State as the obvious underdogs among these nationally renowned contenders.

With the bracket finalized and the top four seeds receiving a bye in the quarterfinals, here are the YSL News Sports forecasts for each game in the 12-team playoff:

College Football Playoff First Round

No. 5 Texas takes down No. 12 Clemson

Texas is set as the No. 5 seed, benefiting from its SEC exit. This matchup against the three-seeded Clemson gives the Longhorns an edge. Though Clemson could cause an upset by capitalizing on errors from Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, they need a flawless performance from their own quarterback, Cade Klubnik. Ultimately, Texas’s depth and consistency are expected to lead them to a convincing victory.

No. 6 Penn State over No. 11 SMU

Don’t underestimate the Mustangs, who have the offensive weaponry to challenge Penn State in Happy Valley. They’ll need to maintain an aggressive, fast-paced game with quarterback Kevin Jennings leveraging his dual-threat capabilities. However, the Nittany Lions’ strong defense will be a significant obstacle. Similar to Texas, Penn State requires a solid performance from QB Drew Allar, but they have a reliable running game with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, providing a bit of leeway against the ACC second-place team.

No. 7 Notre Dame over No. 10 Indiana

With a relatively easy schedule, Notre Dame is flying under the radar but is a formidable competitor. The Fighting Irish boast a well-rounded team across offense, defense, and special teams. While Indiana’s chances may be met with skepticism, look for Notre Dame to contain quarterback Kurtis Rourke and exploit weaknesses in the Indiana defense with their impressive running game, which ranks third nationally in yards per carry.

No. 8 Ohio State bests No. 9 Tennessee

This matchup stands out in the first round, showcasing the prowess of both Big Ten and SEC teams. With both teams evenly matched, Ohio State has a slight edge due to home field advantage and a stronger offense. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard has more experience and better supporting players. However, Tennessee’s QB Nico Iamaleava could easily turn the tides with a strong performance.

Quarterfinals

Texas over No. 4 Arizona State

Texas’s seeding pays off again. Arizona State, riding a six-game winning streak fueled by quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Cam Skattebo, will face a considerable challenge in Texas. The Sun Devils will need extraordinary performances to disrupt the Longhorns’ defense and pull off a stunning victory.

Penn State defeats No. 3 Boise State

Boise State’s standout running back Ashton Jeanty heads into the quarterfinals just 131 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628. Unfortunately for him, he’ll face a formidable Penn State defense. Ranked ninth nationally for rushing yards allowed and third for rushing touchdowns, the Nittany Lions are a significant hurdle. Boise State will heavily rely on Jeanty’s efforts, but if they can’t find gaps against Penn State’s stout defensive line, the pressure shifts entirely to their quarterback Maddux Madden to lead the offense against stacked defenses.

Notre Dame shocks No. 2 Georgia

This is where the biggest upset occurs in the playoffs. The health of Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck, who was injured during the SEC title game, is a crucial factor. Even if he plays, it’s uncertain whether he can compete effectively against Notre Dame’s top-ranked pass defense. The Fighting Irish have only permitted a 48.7% completion rate, forcing 17 interceptions compared to just nine touchdowns allowed.

Oregon Outshines Ohio State

Oregon has faced Ohio State before, achieving a narrow 32-31 victory in their previous meeting. They can utilize a similar strategy for another win against the Buckeyes. If Ohio State wishes to change the storyline, a dominant performance against Tennessee would be essential. However, these teams currently seem to be headed in opposite directions: Oregon is rising while Ohio State is struggling. For the Buckeyes to triumph over the Ducks, their offense must significantly improve and regain its explosiveness, which has been lacking since late October.

Semifinals

Notre Dame Defeats Penn State

Two formidable defenses will reignite a rivalry that has been quiet since Penn State’s 31-10 victory in 2007. Notre Dame’s skill at neutralizing the passing game could force the Nittany Lions to become one-dimensional. If this occurs, Penn State may struggle. Meanwhile, the Irish must also excel in their passing game, which requires quarterback Riley Leonard to maintain his improved performance following a slow start to the season. Notre Dame’s advantage in creating significant plays could prove to be a critical factor in the outcome.

Oregon Triumphs Over Texas

This matchup might remind fans of last year’s semifinals where Washington edged past Texas. Just like before, Texas needs to make every drive count and avoid costly turnovers that could grant Oregon extra chances. The Longhorns may need to adopt a slower pace and dominate Oregon’s defensive line with a strong ground game, which would ease the burden on quarterback Ewers. Oregon boasts a more diverse offense, capable of scoring in various ways even if their running game struggles. It’s important to note that Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel previously bested the Longhorns in a memorable win with Oklahoma last season.

National Championship Matchup

Oregon Defeats Notre Dame

This is the first postseason meeting between Oregon and Notre Dame. They previously faced each other twice during the regular season, the last ending in a 13-13 stalemate in 1982. The Irish aim to secure their first national title since 1988 by balancing a powerful running game with a strong defense against Oregon’s quick-scoring offense. For Oregon, utilizing its full range of skilled players will be key to securing victory. This contest will pose a significant challenge for the Ducks, but as the top team during the regular season, they have the opportunity to become the inaugural champions of the new 12-team format.