College Football Playoff Semifinals Odds, Expert Picks, & Best Bets break down the teams you must look at on an action-packed college football weekend.
The College Football Playoff semifinals are here, and with them, a new chapter in history unfolds. In the inaugural 12-team format, a true national title contender has emerged: Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have carried the weight of expectation all season and now stand as the odds-on favorite to claim the crown. Their next test? A high-stakes clash with Texas in the Cotton Bowl, where the Longhorns seek to rewrite their own story.
Meanwhile, in the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame and Penn State prepare for a collision of storied traditions and unyielding ambition. Each team eyes the same prize, knowing the stakes have never been higher.
Four teams, one dream. As the semifinals kick-off, the chase for college football’s ultimate glory reaches its crescendo.
College Football Playoff Semifinals Betting Preview
Notre Dame vs. Penn State Betting Preview (Thursday, Jan 9.)
All Notre Dame vs. Penn State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Spread
Notre Dame -2.5 -
Moneyline
Notre Dame -135, Penn State +115 -
Over/Under
44.5 points -
Game time
7:30 p.m. ET -
Location
Hard Rock Stadium | Miami, FL -
Predicted Weather at Kick
66 degrees, clear, 5 mph winds -
How To Watch
ESPN
Two elite defenses converge under the bright lights of the Orange Bowl, but it’s the offenses that hold the keys to unlocking a ticket to the National Championship.
For Notre Dame, questions abound. Star running back Jeremiyah Love, who averaged over seven yards per carry this season, is hampered by a re-aggravated knee injury. Limited to just six carries for 19 yards against Georgia, Love has been seen in a knee brace at practice, running with the second team. Without him at full strength, Notre Dame’s offense faces a daunting challenge.
Penn State, meanwhile, received cautious optimism from head coach James Franklin about Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Carter, injured in the Fiesta Bowl, is preparing to play, but Franklin admitted it’s “too early” to predict his effectiveness. With Carter on the field, expect Penn State’s relentless pass rush to test Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, whose legs may once again be Notre Dame’s best weapon.
Leonard rushed for 80 yards in the Sugar Bowl, nearly eclipsing his 90 passing yards. Against a Penn State defense that thrives on creating havoc, Notre Dame’s offense will need to lean heavily on its quarterback’s mobility and a stout defensive effort to keep the game within reach.
For Penn State, the formula is steadier. Quarterback Drew Allar has been a model of consistency, throwing only three interceptions this season while leading an offense ranked in the top 10 in passing efficiency. With a potent two-headed rushing attack in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Penn State seems poised to wear down Notre Dame and control the field.
Expect a low-scoring, hard-fought affair where Penn State’s reliability edges out Notre Dame’s resilience.
Prediction: Penn State 23 – Notre Dame 13
Best Bets: Penn State +2.5 | Under 44.5
There's no shortage of talent on either of these teams 💪⭐️
Does Notre Dame or Penn State have the more complete team? pic.twitter.com/XzenRDHSvV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 6, 2025
Ohio State vs. Texas Betting Preview (Friday, Jan 10.)
All Ohio State vs. Texas odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
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Spread
Ohio State -5.5 -
Moneyline
Ohio State -225, Texas +190 -
Over/Under
53.5 points -
Game time
7:30 p.m. ET -
Location
AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX -
Predicted Weather at Kick
DOME -
How To Watch
ESPN
Ohio State’s offense has reached a dazzling crescendo, scoring 40-plus points in each postseason game and showcasing the emergence of freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith. In just two games, Smith has hauled in 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns, a performance that has elevated the Buckeyes’ aerial attack to an almost unstoppable level.
At the helm is Will Howard, a quarterback who has found his rhythm at the perfect time. Completing nearly 76% of his passes for over 310 yards per game, with five touchdowns and just one interception in the postseason, Howard has orchestrated an offense firing on all cylinders. When the passing game is this potent, the ground game thrives.
𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 🆚 Oregon 🌹 pic.twitter.com/vUfIPCZ5qK
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 5, 2025
Quinshon Judkins has provided consistency, but it’s TreVeyon Henderson who delivers explosiveness. Averaging more than seven yards per carry, Henderson has become a game-breaking threat, turning limited opportunities into pivotal gains.
Texas’ defense, stout for much of the season, faces its greatest challenge yet. The Longhorns’ secondary must contend with a Buckeyes passing game that stands unrivaled. Recent struggles against Clemson and Arizona State, where the defense spent extended stretches on the field, signal potential vulnerabilities. The wear and tear may be catching up.
Meanwhile, the Texas offense remains inconsistent. Quinn Ewers’ uneven play—19 turnover-worthy throws to just 17 big-time throws—leaves questions unanswered. Against an Ohio State defensive line ranked fifth nationally in stopping the run, the Longhorns’ rushing attack, which managed less than three yards per carry against Arizona State, faces a steep climb.
This game is poised to rest on Ewers’ shoulders, but Ohio State’s balance, depth, and offensive firepower may be too much for Texas to overcome. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes look ready to flex their dominance on college football’s grand stage.
