Predicting every college football playoff game ahead of first-ever 12-team field

With the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff kicking off this week, here's our prediction for how each matchup will play out.

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates getting an interception during a NCAA college football game against Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend.
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates getting an interception during a NCAA college football game against Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Predicting every College Football Playoff game - Second round: Arizona State vs. Clemson

This has the potential to be a really fun game. ASU has been a really exciting program to follow this year, though most are late comers to their program here. They were kind of behind the scenes in the Big 12 before their late-season run, and now they're just steamrolling teams.

Clemson can match them stride for stride, though. However, we saw the Tigers struggle against the physicality of the South Carolina run game, and that physicality is something that Cam Skattebo brings in spades.

I think this is a pretty back-and-forth game as well, but eventually I see the Sun Devils pulling this one out. Kenny Dillingham's squad is playing some great ball right now, and they'll keep on rolling into the semifinals.

PREDICTION: Arizona State, 24-17

Schedule

Schedule