Biggest storylines to look at on this week’s quarterfinal video games

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals kick off on New Year’s Eve, as one of the best eight remaining groups within the nation sq. off to find out a nationwide champion.

After the primary spherical featured video games on house fields, the motion now shifts to impartial websites. The 4 quarterfinal video games will happen on the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

Let’s dive into what to anticipate from all of the motion.

No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET)

The Hurricanes enter this sport as a first-round winner after surviving a 10-3 defensive battle in opposition to Texas A&M. The Buckeyes have been the most effective groups within the nation all season, shedding solely as soon as (and never till the Big Ten title sport).

This may very well be one other robust evening for the offenses. Miami’s largest power this 12 months has been alongside the line of defense, a gaggle that registered seven sacks within the crew’s playoff opener. Ohio State, in the meantime, hasn’t given up greater than 16 factors in a sport but this season.

The Buckeyes have a definitive benefit on offense, nonetheless, with elite expertise on the perimeter and a quarterback in Julian Sayin who has accomplished 78.4% of his passes this season whereas throwing 31 touchdowns. Miami will seemingly must put extra on the plate of signal-caller Carson Beck, who hasn’t at all times been trusted to push the ball down the sphere.

No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (Jan. 1, Noon ET)

As the seeding would indicate, this sport is anticipated to be the closest matchup within the quarterfinals. Once once more, each side excel at stopping their opponent, because the Ducks and Red Raiders completed eighth and second, respectively, in scoring protection this season. Oregon does have an thrilling offensive expertise in quarterback Dante Moore, who’s seen as one of many high potential prospects within the upcoming NFL draft.

Moore is coming off one in every of his finest performances of the 12 months, scoring 5 whole touchdowns in a drubbing of a hapless James Madison crew. Texas Tech, in the meantime, has not performed since Dec. 6, when it defeated BYU for the second time within the Big 12 championship.

No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana (Jan. 1, 4 p.m. ET)

The Rose Bowl has all of the making of a traditional.

On one facet is arguably probably the most storied model in faculty soccer, a program synonymous with championship excellence.

On the opposite facet is a college that entered this season with probably the most losses in faculty soccer historical past.

The Hoosiers have confirmed themselves at a number of turns this 12 months, beating Oregon on the street early within the season after which defeating Ohio State for the Big Ten title and the highest rating within the nation. Curt Cignetti seems to be probably the most assured coach within the nation, and, if anyone is actually unbothered by the Crimson Tide mystique, it’s him.

Alabama hasn’t at all times been inspiring underneath coach Kalen DeBoer, who’s desperately attempting to carve his personal legacy after taking up for Nick Saban. The three-loss Crimson Tide had been a doubtful playoff choice, however they picked up one of the best win of DeBoer’s profession within the first spherical, getting back from a 17-0 deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24.

This must also be an awesome quarterback duel between Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and redshirt junior Ty Simpson. The two gamers have mixed to throw 61 touchdowns however solely 11 interceptions this season.

No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 Georgia (Jan. 1, 8 p.m. ET)

This sport is a rematch of a Nov. 9 shootout that noticed the Bulldogs win 43-35, the Rebels’ lone lack of the season.

Ole Miss led that sport 35-26 coming into the fourth quarter however gave up 17 unanswered factors as its offense went ice chilly within the closing body. If there’s a serious concern for the Rebels, it’s that the usually extra methodical Georgia crew was capable of beat them at their very own sport.

The Bulldogs have been rolling since a September loss to Alabama, going undefeated in that span. Georgia has received 4 of its final 5 video games by at the very least 20 factors.

And after all, the subplot right here is Ole Miss’s teaching scenario. Can the gamers proceed to remain centered amid the drama as the varsity worries about tampering on the teaching workers and former coach Lane Kiffin potentially attending the game? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient.