Teams with automatic bids, including Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State, all exit CFP quarterfinals
In the 2024 College Football Playoff, those granted automatic bids ended up facing early exits.
After the first quarterfinal games of the new 12-team playoff system, all four teams that secured automatic bids by winning their conferences are now eliminated from the national championship race. Although the CFP committee had no control over these automatic bids, they generally positioned the remaining teams correctly.
The top seed, No. 1 Oregon (Big Ten), was defeated decisively by No. 8 Ohio State, with a score of 41-21. No. 7 Notre Dame triumphed over No. 2 Georgia (SEC) 23-10, No. 6 Penn State defeated No. 3 Boise State (Mountain West) 31-14, and No. 5 Texas won against No. 4 Arizona State (Big 12) in a dramatic 39-31 overtime game.
Additionally, No. 12 Clemson, which received an automatic bid after winning the ACC, did not receive a first-round bye and fell to Texas 38-24 in the opening round.
The semifinal phase will showcase two teams that lost in their conference championship games: Penn State and Texas. Notre Dame, not affiliated with any conference, and Ohio State, which did not reach the Big Ten title game after a loss to Michigan, are also moving forward.
Results of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals
Here are the scores from the CFP quarterfinal matchups. Notably, all four top-ranked seeds were eliminated, with only the Texas-Arizona State game being a close contest that needed extra time.
- Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (2 OT)
- Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14
- Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10
Matchups for the College Football semifinals
Take a look at the upcoming semifinal matchups:
- Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m., ET, Jan 10
- Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. ET, Jan. 9
