The College Football Playoff has recently expanded to 12 teams, bringing in some new contenders to the mix. However, the final four teams that have emerged are undeniably blueblood programs in the college football landscape.
In the upcoming semifinals, Penn State will face off against Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on January 9, while Texas will take on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on January 10. All four teams boast impressive histories, with each of them having accumulated at least 900 all-time victories.
According to the NCAA's records, Ohio State holds the second position with 976 wins, followed by Notre Dame and Texas tied for fourth place with 961 victories, and Penn State in seventh place with 943 wins. Collectively, these four teams have clinched a total of 18 national championships since the inception of the Associated Press rankings in 1936, with Notre Dame leading the pack with eight titles, followed by Ohio State with five, Texas with three, and Penn State with two.
Examining the semifinals matchups through statistical lenses, Texas currently holds a 2-1 lead in their series against Ohio State, with their last encounter dating back to 2009. On the other hand, the Notre Dame-Penn State series stands at a dead heat of 9-9-1, with their most recent clash occurring in 2007.
When it comes to defensive prowess, Ohio State ranks first among the four teams, allowing only 244.6 yards per game, followed by Texas (277.7), Penn State (288.8), and Notre Dame (295.4). In terms of offensive output, Texas leads the pack with 443.9 yards per game, trailed closely by Penn State (436.3), Ohio State (432.5), and Notre Dame (406.6).
Several standout players and achievements further highlight the caliber of these teams. Notably, Ohio State's Seth McLaughlin, Penn State's Tyler Warren, Penn State OL Nick Dawkins, Texas' Kelvin Banks, Jahdae Barron, and Colin Simmons have all received national awards. Additionally, Notre Dame boasts a remarkable streak of nine consecutive wins in neutral-site games, while Texas' Quinn Ewers holds the longest active streak of consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass in the FBS at 26 games.
As the anticipation builds for these highly competitive matchups, fans can expect a clash of titans as these powerhouse programs vie for a spot in the College Football Playoff finals.
