The College Football Playoff’s first round came and went with the kind of blowouts many pundits predicted, as every matchup kicked off with point spreads larger than a touchdown. Despite the lopsided scores, the games offered plenty of lessons about the teams moving forward.
Ohio State, tagged with the task of facing Tennessee in what was expected to be the tightest contest, instead cruised with a decisive performance. Conversely, Texas, anticipated to handle Clemson with ease, found themselves in a tougher scrap than predicted.
Meanwhile, SMU sought to impress on the national stage but ultimately struggled against a bold Clemson team dining out on its underdog status. Let’s break down what these performances mean as we head into the offseason for some and deeper into championship contention for others.
Ohio State
What a way to bounce back, Buckeyes! After a tough loss to Michigan, Ohio State roared back to life, swamping Tennessee in dominant style. They took a firm 21-0 lead right out of the gate, which set the tone for an overwhelming team display. Jeremiah Smith was a standout, racking up 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while the Buckeye defense smothered Tennessee’s passing game, holding them to a paltry 104 yards. This is the juggernaut Ohio State we’ve been waiting to see, and this kind of outing makes them legitimate national title contenders. Grade: A
Notre Dame
On paper, a 10-point victory might not scream dominance, but don’t let the numbers fool you—Notre Dame was masterful in multiple facets of the game against Indiana. The Fightin’ Irish showcased versatility as Jeremiyah Love ripped through for a 98-yard rushing touchdown and Riley Leonard connected on a long 44-yard pass play. Defensively, they stifled Indiana’s ground attack, limiting them to just 63 yards. With the clock reading just under two minutes, the score was 27-3. This is a team clicking in all the right ways as they prepare to face Georgia. Grade: A-
Penn State
Coach James Franklin had reasons to beam, as Penn State delivered one of its finest defensive outings under his watch. Even discounting SMU’s offensive blunders, credit to the Nittany Lions’ linebackers and D-line for stifling a usually explosive SMU offense. They held SMU to a meager 12.1 yards per drive in the first half, and their rushing attack eventually wore down the Mustangs, logging 189 yards and three scores. The only ding was the passing game, where Drew Allar couldn’t quite find a rhythm, finishing with just 127 yards. Grade: B+
Texas
In their 38-24 triumph over Clemson, Texas had the game in hand early but allowed their opponents to hang around just a tad too long. They built a two-score cushion in the first half, only for Clemson to draw within 31-24 in the second half. It took a 77-yard sprint to the end zone by Jaydon Blue to seal the deal. Texas needs to shore up its game-closing abilities if they want to hoist that national championship trophy. Grade: B
Clemson
Despite being sizable 13.5-point underdogs, Clemson walked away from the matchup against Texas with their heads held high. They showed grit and a fighting spirit against the heavy favorites, and while Texas covered the spread, Cade Klubnik’s inspired play along with breakout performances from receivers T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco offer hope for the Tigers’ future. Still, their run defense needs major surgery if they’re to compete at the highest level again. Grade: B-
Indiana
Indiana’s defense deserves a tip of the hat for its scrappy effort, giving the Hoosiers a fighting chance. Even with a 98-yard dash by Jeremiyah Love staining the highlight reel, they held Notre Dame to just 2.8 yards per carry. Offensively, however, it was a different story. The struggling Hoosiers managed just a field goal over eight drives, marked by an interception and six punts before finally finding the end zone in garbage time. Unfortunately, the offense simply wasn’t ready for the big stage. Grade: D+
Tennessee
Ouch. Tennessee had a rough go, perhaps the toughest outing of any team in the CFP. Facing an Ohio State squad with reinvigorated focus, the Vols found themselves overmatched. The aftermath painted Tennessee more as a team on the playoff bubble rather than a national powerhouse contender. They have some soul-searching to do before they can challenge the elite again. Grade: D
SMU
There was a mountain to climb for SMU against a formidable Penn State squad, so the loss wasn’t entirely shocking. What was disheartening was the self-implosion, particularly from quarterback Kevin Jennings, whose three first-half picks—two leading directly to touchdowns—dug a craterous 28-0 halftime deficit. The SMU defense did their part, containing Penn State early on to under 4.0 yards per play. This game was winnable, but it slipped through their fingers. Grade: D-
