College Football Playoff's Quarterfinal Showdowns: Predictions and Insights

Get ready for a thrilling start to 2025 as the College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals kick off! The action begins on New Year's Eve with Penn State facing Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has made his picks for these high-stakes matchups. Klatt predicts Penn State will clinch a win over Boise State, 38-24. He expects a strong performance from Boise State's star running back, Ashton Jeanty, who is just shy of breaking Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season rushing record. However, Penn State's defense and powerful rushing offense are expected to outshine the Broncos in the second half. On New Year's Day, three more quarterfinal games will take place. Texas will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Klatt believes Texas will win 31-21, largely due to the return of key players like Isaiah Bond and Kelvin Banks, who will bolster the Longhorns' offense. Arizona State's loss of a top receiver might hinder their performance. Next up is the Rose Bowl, featuring a rematch between Ohio State and Oregon. Klatt predicts a close game, with Ohio State edging out a 42-41 victory. He acknowledges Oregon's talented Heisman finalist, Dillon Gabriel, but expects Ohio State's improved defense to make the difference. Finally, the Sugar Bowl will see Notre Dame facing Georgia. Klatt is confident that Notre Dame will upset Georgia, 24-17, attributing this to Georgia's quarterback issues and Notre Dame's strong defense. These predictions set the stage for an exciting playoff season!