College football odds, picks, predictions for 2024-25 bowl season, playoffs: Model likes Michigan, Texas

The 2024-25 college football bowl schedule began on Dec. 14 and continues through January, culminating with the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20. This year’s bowl schedule features the inaugural 12-team CFP bracket, with the College Football Playoff quarterfinals taking place on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. No. 6 seed Penn State is … Read more

USC makes season-ending statement in thrilling Las Vegas Bowl comeback over Texas A&M

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava looks to pass under pressure from Texas A&M defensive lineman Cashius Howell during the first half of the Trojans’ 35-31 comeback win in the Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on Friday. (David Becker / Getty Images) It was less than four months ago, at the start of his third and … Read more

How Texas walk-on Michael Taaffe became key CFP contributor

Dave Wilson, ESPN Staff WriterDec 24, 2024, 07:00 AM ET Close Dave Wilson is a college football reporter. He previously worked at The Dallas Morning News, San Diego Union-Tribune and Las Vegas Sun. AUSTIN, Texas — Peter Taaffe saw it early. Little Michael Taaffe, in the second grade, had a look in his eye in … Read more

College football odds, picks, predictions for 2024-25 bowl season, playoffs: Computer backs Michigan, Texas

The 2024-25 college football bowl schedule began on Dec. 14 and continues through January, culminating with the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20. This year’s bowl schedule features the inaugural 12-team CFP bracket, with the College Football Playoff quarterfinals taking place on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. No. 6 seed Penn State is … Read more

College playoffs looks for good matchups after snoozy first round of blowouts

For those who dozed through it, or flipped to more compelling fare in the NFL, here’s a brief recap of the rollout of the much-anticipated College Football Playoff. Average final score: Winners 36, Losers 17. In four games, not a single one was closer than a 10-point margin, and even that one felt worse. In … Read more

Texas, fueled by adversity and last year’s CFP loss, tops Clemson in playoff opener

Laken Litman College Football & Soccer Analyst AUSTIN, Texas – On the eve of Texas’ opening-round College Football Playoff game against Clemson, Steve Sarkisian addressed his team, taking the guys through the last several months. From summer meetings when he instructed each player to write about the hardships in their lives, to fall camp when … Read more

Texas’ dominant win over Clemson continues a CFP first-round pattern: Why all the blowouts?

AUSTIN, Texas — Give Clemson — especially quarterback Cade Klubnik — some credit for battling to give the College Football Playoff at least a pop of competitive, fourth-quarter juice on Saturday. The Tigers made it a one-score game early in the fourth and then sought to do it again by driving to the Texas 5-yard … Read more

Breakout rushing attack fuels Texas offense capable of running through College Football Playoff field

AUSTIN, Texas — When the lane opened and Jaydon Blue reached open grass to finish a 77-yard touchdown run that gave 5-seed Texas a game-deciding, 38-24 fourth-quarter lead, Blue called the moment a “sign of relief.” Nothing happened easily for Blue this season. Due to bouts of fumbles and stretches of ineffective play, Blue lost … Read more

Fanatics Sportsbook promo code, $3800+ College Football Playoff bonuses: Texas vs. Clemson up next Saturday

The College Football Playoff schedule continues on Saturday evening when No. 5 seed Texas hosts No. 12 seed Clemson and No. 8 seed Ohio State hosts No. 9 seed Tennessee. Texas is coming off an overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship, giving the Longhorns a chance to host a playoff game. Clemson earned … Read more