Few would be shocked if the Rose Bowl between Oregon and Ohio State produced the eventual national champion, but the winner will still have more steps to reach the title game in this expanded playoff. The stakes are incredibly high, and the excitement is palpable as these two powerhouse programs clash in one of college football’s most storied venues.
The Ducks are the nation’s only remaining undefeated team, but they enter the Rose Bowl as slight underdogs. Dan Lanning’s team could take that personally and use it to make a statement, but the pressure of potentially not winning a playoff game after an unbeaten season could weigh heavily on Oregon. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the weight of expectations prove too much?
Ohio State already got a taste of the playoff atmosphere, as the Buckeyes dispatched No. 9 Tennessee in Columbus in the quarterfinals. With the sting of November’s loss to Michigan behind them, can they harness their talent and avenge an early-season defeat at the hands of Oregon? The Buckeyes are looking to prove that they are back on track and ready to make a deep playoff run.
Who will Ohio State play next?
The winner of the Rose Bowl won’t have a free pass to the title game. Ohio State will face Texas in the Cotton Bowl, after the Longhorns earned a heart-stopping double overtime win over Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. This matchup promises to be thrilling, as both teams have shown resilience and skill throughout the season.
The Buckeyes are certainly battle-tested, as they dismantled Tennessee before rolling past undefeated Oregon in the quarterfinals. Texas faced lower-ranked teams in Clemson and Arizona State, at least in terms of the committee’s final rankings before the bracket was seeded, but the Longhorns have proven they can bounce back from adversity. They are no strangers to high-pressure situations, and they will bring that experience to the Cotton Bowl.
The Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Texas will be played on Friday, Jan. 10. Fans are eagerly anticipating this showdown, as both teams have a rich history and a fierce rivalry. Will Ohio State’s offense shine, or will Texas’s defense rise to the challenge? This game is sure to be a highlight of the playoff schedule.
College Football Playoff bracket 2024
As the College Football Playoff field thins, the path to the national championship becomes clearer. Here’s a look at the current playoff bracket and how the teams have progressed:
- Dec. 20: Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 (First Round)
- Dec. 21: Penn State 38, SMU 10 (First Round)
- Dec. 21: Texas 38, Clemson 24 (First Round)
- Dec. 21: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17 (First Round)
- Dec. 31: Penn State 31, Boise State 14 (Quarterfinals – Fiesta Bowl)
- Jan. 1: Texas 39, Arizona State 31 (2OT – Quarterfinals – Peach Bowl)
- Jan. 1: Ohio State 41, Oregon 21 (Quarterfinals – Rose Bowl)
- Jan. 2: Notre Dame vs. Georgia (Quarterfinals – Sugar Bowl)
- Jan. 9: TBD vs. Penn State (Semifinals – Orange Bowl)
- Jan. 10: TBD vs. Texas (Semifinals – Cotton Bowl)
- Jan. 20: TBD vs. TBD (National Championship)
College Football Playoff schedule 2024
The excitement of the College Football Playoff continues to build as teams battle for a shot at the national title. Here’s the complete schedule for the upcoming playoff games:
| Date | Round | Matchup | Location | Time | TV Channel |
| Dec. 20 | First Round | Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 | South Bend, IN | ||
| Dec. 21 | First Round | Penn State 38, SMU 10 | University Park, PA | ||
| Dec. 21 | First Round | Texas 38, Clemson 24 | Austin, TX | ||
| Dec. 21 | First Round | Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17 | Columbus, OH | ||
| Dec. 31 | Quarterfinals (Fiesta Bowl) | Penn State 31, Boise State 14 | Glendale, AZ | ||
| Jan. 1 | Quarterfinals (Peach Bowl) | Texas 39, Arizona State 31 (2OT) | Atlanta, GA | ||
| Jan. 1 | Quarterfinals (Rose Bowl) | Ohio State 41, Oregon 21 | Pasadena, PA | ||
| Jan. 2 | Quarterfinals (Sugar Bowl) | Notre Dame vs. Georgia | New Orleans, LA | 4 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Jan. 9 | Semifinals (Orange Bowl) | TBD vs. Penn State | Miami, FL | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Jan. 10 | Semifinals (Cotton Bowl) | TBD vs. Texas | Dallas, TX | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Jan. 20 | National Championship | TBD vs. TBD | Atlanta, GA | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
As the playoff unfolds, fans are left wondering: Who will emerge victorious and claim the coveted national championship? The journey is far from over, and the excitement is just beginning!
