In the first College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal, No. 1 Ohio State dominated No. 4 Oregon, winning 48-7. The Buckeyes’ offense was unstoppable, amassing 562 total yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns, while running back TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. The Buckeyes’ defense was equally impressive, holding Oregon to just 262 total yards and one touchdown.
In the second CFP semifinal, No. 2 Texas escaped with a narrow 33-28 victory over No. 3 Arizona State. The Longhorns took an early lead, but ASU fought back to tie the game at 28 with just over a minute remaining. However, Texas’ Bijan Robinson returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory. Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 380 yards and one touchdown, while Robinson rushed for 195 yards and one touchdown.
Ohio State’s victory sets up a rematch of last year’s CFP National Championship game against No. 3 Georgia. The Bulldogs defeated No. 2 Michigan in the other semifinal, 34-11. Texas’ victory sends them to the CFP National Championship game for the first time in program history. They will face Georgia on Monday, January 9th in Atlanta.
Ohio State’s victory was never in doubt. The Buckeyes were simply too dominant on both sides of the ball. Oregon’s defense had no answer for Stroud and the Buckeyes’ offense, and their offense was unable to keep up with the Buckeyes’ pace. Texas’ victory was much more hard-fought, but they ultimately made the plays when they needed to. Ewers came up with some big throws in the clutch, and Robinson’s kickoff return for a touchdown was the game-winner. ASU played a great game, but they ultimately came up short.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day: “I’m so proud of our guys. They played a great game. We executed our game plan perfectly. We knew Oregon was a good team, but we were confident that we could beat them. We’re excited to be back in the national championship game.”
Oregon coach Dan Lanning: “We’re disappointed with the outcome, but I’m proud of our players. They played hard and never gave up. Ohio State is a great team, and they were just too much for us today.”
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian: “I’m so happy for our players. They fought hard all year, and they deserve to be in the national championship game. We’re excited to have the opportunity to play Georgia.”
ASU coach Herm Edwards: “We’re disappointed with the outcome, but I’m proud of our players. They played their hearts out. Texas is a great team, and they made the plays when they needed to. We’re going to use this experience to learn and grow.”
According to a recent study by ESPN, Ohio State has the highest probability of winning the CFP National Championship game. The Buckeyes have a 60% chance of winning the title, followed by Georgia (30%), Texas (10%), and ASU (1%).
The College Football Playoff semifinals were full of excitement and drama. Ohio State and Texas emerged victorious, and they will now face off in the CFP National Championship game. Both teams have a lot of talent, and the game is sure to be a close one.
