The college football rankings have been set, and the top 5 teams in the college football playoff format all have a fantastic opportunity to make a deep college football playoff run. Oregon (#1), Georgia (#2), Boise State (#9), and Arizona State (#12) all received a bye directly into the quarterfinals as the four highest-ranking conference champions. The other eight teams in the college football playoff have to face off to earn their spot in the quarterfinals.
A tantalizing slate of four high profile college football playoff matchups gives you the perfect chance to make your free college football predictions on Sportzino. Sportzino offers competitive college football odds for every playoff game. Not only are there standard moneyline props available, but there are also fantastic NCAAF odds against the spread, totals, and player props. Make sure you carefully consider the expert college football picks provided before making your NCAA football picks this weekend.
Top College Football Playoff Matchups
(#12) Clemson at (#5) Texas
- Spread: Clemson +11, Texas -11
- Moneyline: Clemson +300, Texas -550
- Over/Under: 51.5 Points
- Time: Saturday, December 21st, 4:00 PM EST
This is the easiest college football pick to make. Clemson was fortunate to sneak into the playoffs, but they will be swiftly dispatched by a very strong Texas team. Texas was on top of the rankings for long stretches this season, but a pair of losses to the Georgia Bulldogs saw them drop out of the top four.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will have a special battle against former Texas quarterback and current Clemson signal caller Cade Klubnik. Ewers has been consistent this season, even if Klubnik outworks him, the Texas defense will ensure the Longhorns are able to pull away. Texas has several wins this season against teams on the same level as Clemson, and with all the chips in the middle, they will show no mercy with a double-digit victory.
Pick: Texas (-11) -110
(#11) SMU at (#6) Penn State
- Spread: SMU +8, Penn State -8
- Moneyline: SMU +220, Penn State -350
- Over/Under: 53.5 Points
- Time: Saturday, December 21st, 12:00 PM EST
The college football matchup between SMU and Penn State may be overlooked compared to the other playoff games, but there is still plenty of talent on both rosters. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings is a truly special talent and has caught the eyes of NFL scouts throughout the season. He has thrown 22 touchdowns this season while scurrying into the end zone himself five more times. His ability to sit in the pocket without fear of taking a big hit has made him a crucial asset for SMU.
Penn State has two losses this season, but those came against #1 Oregon and #6 Ohio State. They beat #20 Illinois early in the season and have cruised to multiple big wins throughout the campaign. Quarterback Drew Allar is just 20 years old, yet already has two football seasons on his resume. He wasn’t quite able to replicate his 25 touchdowns and 2 interception seasons from last year, but he has been significantly more accurate this season. His 69.1 completion percentage is a massive jump from last season, and he will be able to pick apart the SMU defense. An 8 point spread is thick for a college football playoff game, but Penn State has the experience and talent to run up the score.
Pick: Penn State (-8) -115
(#10) Indiana vs (#7) Notre Dame
- Spread: Indiana +7.5, Notre Dame -7.5
- Moneyline: Indiana +205, Notre Dame -320
- Over/Under: 51.5 Points
- Time: Friday, December 20th, 8:00 PM EST
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke carried Indiana into the college football playoff, and he will now look to take them into the quarterfinals against Notre Dame. A road game against the mighty Notre Dame defense is a daunting task, but Indiana has defied expectations all season long. They have an excellent run game to pair with the passing attack from Rourke, and the Fighting Irish don’t generate enough pressure on the defensive side of the ball to disrupt their rhythm.
Notre Dame relies on their physicality to succeed in the trenches and their speed down the flanks to put points on the board. Notre Dame has already had several blowouts this season, with seven consecutive victories by multiple touchdowns. While that may appear to be a positive note, the lack of competent opposition could leave them stunned by a consistent Indiana team. Notre Dame has a home-field advantage, but this one will go right down to the wire as Indiana continues their miraculous run this season. Indiana may not earn the outright victory, but they will be good enough to cover the +7.5 point spread on Friday night.
Pick: Indiana (+7.5) -115
(#9) Tennessee vs (#8) Ohio State
- Spread: Tennessee +7.5, Ohio State -7.5
- Moneyline: Tennessee +205 Ohio State -320
- Over/Under: 47 Points
- Time: Saturday, December 21st, 8:00 PM EST
The highly anticipated NCAAF matchup between Tennessee and Ohio State is undoubtedly the highlight of the first round of the college football playoffs. The 8th and 9th seeds battle, hoping to book a quarterfinal matchup against Oregon on Saturday evening.
The Tennessee Volunteers are significant underdogs on the college football playoff odds, but they have already pulled off a couple of big upsets this season. Tennessee beat Alabama in October and had a tight game against the mighty Georgia Bulldogs last month. Their ability to lean on their defense has allowed them to find success despite mediocre play from quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Across the field, Ohio State has been able to run riot with massive score lines throughout the season. They will be able to put the postgame fiasco with Michigan behind them and focus on the task at hand. Quarterback Will Howard has been able to stay composed in the pocket, and a strong offensive line will keep him protected against the Volunteers pass rush. The Ohio State Buckeyes are significant favorites on the college football point spreads, but this spread should be pushing double digits. Tennessee fell short against Georgia earlier this season, and a road game in Ohio is a tall task to overcome. Ohio State has no problems running up the score, and they will not take their foot off the gas against Tennessee.
Pick: Ohio State (-7.5) -105
