Austin, Texas – The College Football Playoff selection committee announced the final 12 teams that will compete in the tournament to determine the next champion in college football. With four games lined up for the first round, teams will battle it out for a spot in the quarterfinals.
One of the most anticipated matchups is between No. 12 Clemson and No. 5 Texas. Despite Clemson being the ACC champion, they find themselves on the road against Texas, who fell just short in the SEC title game against Georgia. The Longhorns have had success against Clemson in the past, with two wins over the Tigers this season.
Another exciting game to watch is the showdown between No. 10 Indiana and No. 7 Notre Dame. Indiana, one of the surprise teams of the season, will take on Notre Dame in an in-state battle. Notre Dame has been dominant in the latter part of the season, with an impressive offensive performance in their last five games.
The matchup between No. 11 SMU and No. 6 Penn State promises to be a thrilling contest. SMU, coming off a close loss to Clemson in the ACC title game, will face a tough Penn State team. Penn State has only two losses this season, both to top-ranked teams.
In a heavyweight matchup, No. 9 Tennessee will take on No. 8 Ohio State. Tennessee, with a 10-2 record in the SEC, faces an Ohio State team that has victories over other CFP participants. Both teams will look to showcase their strength in this highly anticipated game.