The 2024 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a groundbreaking event, with exhilarating quarterfinal matchups on tap that will introduce fans to the expanded 12-team format. After a wild opening weekend that saw games played on campuses for the first time ever, traditional bowl venues take center stage as Penn State battles Boise State and Notre Dame clashes with Georgia. Buckle up for what promises to be a defining moment in the sport’s history.
Penn State Primed for Deep Run
The Nittany Lions steamrolled SMU 38-10 in the first round, flexing their defensive prowess with a stifling performance. But questions still linger about whether James Franklin’s squad can get over the hump against college football’s elite after years of coming up short. Quarterback Drew Allar holds the key – if he can unlock Penn State’s downfield passing game and keep defenses honest, a trip to the semifinal round is within reach. Standing in their way is a Boise State team led by record-setting running back Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman runner-up who needs just 132 yards to break Barry Sanders’ hallowed single-season mark.
Broncos Banking on Balance
While Jeanty is sure to get his yards, it’s the rest of the Boise State offense that will determine if they can pull the upset. Quarterback Maddux Madsen was stellar in the regular season, tossing 29 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions. He’ll need to be sharp early to prevent Penn State from loading the box to stop Jeanty. If the Broncos fall behind like they did against Oregon, it could spell doom against the fierce Nittany Lions defense.
Jeanty is going to get his yards. But when we’ve been at our best, it’s because the rest of the offense is clicking too. We need Maddux to make some plays early to open things up.
Boise State head coach Andy Avalos
Will Irish Defense Rise to the Occasion?
In the nightcap, Notre Dame will need another suffocating effort from its defense to knock off defending champion Georgia. The Irish completely shut down Indiana in the first round, holding the Hoosiers to a paltry 5.5 yards per pass attempt. Veteran leaders like safety Xavier Watts and edge rusher Rylie Mills have Notre Dame playing at a championship level on that side of the ball. Offensively, the Irish hope to lean on their diverse rushing attack led by electric sophomore Jeremiyah Love.
Depleted Dawgs Still Dangerous
Georgia enters the playoff as the No. 2 seed but is likely without starting quarterback Carson Beck, who suffered an elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game. In steps backup Gunner Stockton, a former high school phenom tasked with keeping the Bulldogs’ repeat bid alive. Luckily for Stockton, he’ll be able to rely on a loaded roster featuring standouts like tight end Brock Bowers and cornerback Kamari Lassiter. Georgia’s defense hasn’t been quite as dominant as in years past, but it has still come up big when it matters most.
There’s no doubt losing Carson is a big blow. But we have full confidence in Gunner. He’s been preparing for this moment and the guys around him will step up. We’re on a mission and that hasn’t changed.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart
Crypto Meets College Football
Blockchain technology is set to make a splash in college sports, with cryptocurrency exchanges FTX and Crypto.com inking landmark sponsorship deals with the College Football Playoff. The multi-year agreements will see the CFP promoted across the platforms and open the door for NFT collectibles featuring the teams and players. With the explosive growth of digital assets, the convergence of crypto and college football feels like a natural fit as the sport enters a new era.
- FTX Field Goal Challenge – Predict the result of each field goal attempt for a chance to win Bitcoin prizes
- Crypto.com Coin Toss – Call the opening coin toss for each game using the Crypto.com app to earn bonus CRO rewards
- CFP NFT Auction – Bid on exclusive College Football Playoff NFTs, with a portion of proceeds supporting each school’s athletic department
Previewing Potential Semifinal Matchups
Looking ahead, the semifinal round could deliver some juicy matchups depending how the quarters shake out. A potential Oregon-Georgia showdown would give the Ducks a shot at avenging their narrow defeat to the Bulldogs in last year’s title tilt. The high-powered USC offense against the impenetrable Michigan defense is the stuff football junkies’ dreams are made of. And who wouldn’t want to see Boise State try to finish their Cinderella run against an Ohio State or Clemson? The possibilities are endless, which is what makes the new 12-team format so exciting.
| Semifinal Matchup | Intrigue Meter | Storyline to Watch |
| Oregon vs Georgia | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Can Oregon finish the job this time? |
| USC vs Michigan | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Unstoppable force meets immovable object |
| Boise State vs Ohio State | 🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Do the Broncos have another miracle in them? |
No matter what happens, it’s safe to say the 2024 College Football Playoff will be one for the ages. With crypto partnerships adding a modern twist and an expanded format enhancing the drama, this year’s gridiron showcase is poised to capture the attention of the nation. Will a blue blood hoist the hardware yet again or will an upstart emerge to seize glory? We can’t wait to find out. The road to the championship runs through the quarterfinals – and what a ride it will be!
