Ball Girl #120: First ever 12-team College Football Playoffs is Instagram Official

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🏈 College Football: First Round of Playoffs — Who’s Winning and Why

The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is here, and with it comes matchups that will keep you entertained all weekend long. Haven’t been keeping up with college ball thus far? No need to crash out, babe — Here’s what you need to know, who we think is going to win, and why.

Game 1: Indiana vs. Notre Dame (The Plot Twist Villain vs. The Legacy Heir)

• Kickoff: Friday, 8 PM ET

• Prediction: Notre Dame by 10

Why Notre Dame Wins: Indiana is the ultimate plot-twist villain — the one who spends the whole story pretending to be harmless, only to reveal their true power when it counts. They’ve quietly bulldozed lesser opponents and earned their shot at the big stage. Notre Dame, on the other hand, is the legacy heir (their helmets are gold for a reason): the polished and experienced character, destined for greatness, who knows how to rise to the occasion when challenged. With running back Jeremiyah Love leading the offense and a defense built to dominate in cold weather, Notre Dame’s consistency and pedigree will shine. Indiana will make things interesting early, but in the end, Notre Dame’s strength and experience will prevail.

Final Score Guess: Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17

Game 2: SMU vs. Penn State (The Wild Card vs. The Perfectionist)

• Kickoff: Saturday, Noon ET

• Prediction: Penn State by 13

Why Penn State Wins: SMU has been unpredictable all season — capable of thrilling plays but prone to self-inflicted wounds. Quarterback Kevin Jennings brings excitement and explosiveness to the Mustangs’ offense, but Penn State’s perfectionist approach, led by disciplined quarterback Drew Allar and workhorse running back Nicholas Singleton, will shine through. The Nittany Lions’ elite defense will exploit SMU’s turnover tendencies, while their methodical offense grinds out yards. This one stays competitive until the second half, but Penn State pulls away with ease.

Final Score Guess: Penn State 34, SMU 21

Game 3: Clemson vs. Texas (The Drama Queen vs. The Belle of the Ball)

• Kickoff: Saturday, 4 PM ET

• Prediction: Texas by 14

Why Texas Wins: Clemson’s season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, powered by quarterback Cade Klubnik’s ability to deliver drama when it matters most. But Texas, with its poised and powerful identity, thrives under pressure. Running back Quintrevion Wisner and a dominant defense featuring linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. give Texas the edge. While Klubnik will have his moments, the Longhorns’ balanced attack and ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage make this their game to lose.

Final Score Guess: Texas 31, Clemson 17

Game 4: Tennessee vs. Ohio State (The Scrappy Fighter vs. The Unsteady Prodigy)

• Kickoff: Saturday, 8 PM ET

• Prediction: Tennessee by 1

Why Tennessee Wins: Ohio State may have the more heralded roster, but they’ve faltered under the weight of expectations this season. Quarterback Will Howard has struggled in clutch moments, and their offensive line is banged up. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s identity is defined by grit and determination, embodied by running back Dylan Sampson, who has bulldozed through defenses all year. Tennessee’s defense will keep Ohio State’s potent passing attack in check, and a late-game surge will see the Volunteers escape with a razor-thin victory.

Final Score Guess: Tennessee 20, Ohio State 19

Who’s Winning It All?

Texas and Oregon seem destined for deep runs, with both teams showcasing balance and star power. But don’t count out Tennessee as the ultimate disruptor — they’re here to make noise and break brackets.

Get ready for a weekend of unforgettable football. May the best team (and fan base) win!

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🏈 NFL: In case you haven’t had enough football yet

Tis’ the season for divisional matchups that make or break a season! And thanks to the Chargers beating the Broncos last night, all AFC playoff spots could be clinched by the end of this weekend (reminder, NFL has two conferences: AFC and NFC). If the following happens: 49ers beat Dolphins, Browns beat Bengals, and Titans beat Colts, then the AFC playoff spots will be completely locked (Chiefs, Bills, Steelers, Texans, Ravens, Broncos, and Chargers would make the cut). Here are previews of the other two most competitive divisional matchups this Sunday:

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders, Sunday 1pm

The Eagles are flying high after QB Jalen Hurts and WR A.J. Brown turned their win over the Steelers into a full-blown vibe session last week. They were on the same wavelength like a perfect playlist — no skips. But despite the smooth rhythm lately, it’s been a bit of a bumpy season overall. Meanwhile, the Commanders were a flash in the pan to start the season but have since mellowed out. QB Jayden Daniels has been keeping them from completely fizzling, already winning rookie of the week nine times this season. But don’t count the Commanders out. They just barely squeaked by the Saints last week, preserving their chances in the NFC East and making Sunday’s showdown just a little bit spicier.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 4:30pm

It’s time for round two: the Steelers and Ravens face off again on Sunday. The Steelers came out on top in their last meeting a month ago, so you know the Ravens are ready to settle the score. The Ravens are loaded with offensive firepower, and QB Lamar Jackson is basically a human cheat code. But if there’s anyone who can ruin Lamar’s day, it’s Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Facing Watt is about as pleasant as a surprise Monday morning meeting. Pittsburgh’s defense is like a cold brew coffee — strong, bitter, and capable of keeping you up all night. But with top receiver George Pickens nursing an injury, their offense might look more like decaf. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an AFC North showdown for the ages.

That’s all for today. Have a great weekend, ballers! We’ll see you on Monday to recap the madness… Go spread some holiday cheer and get your eggnog on.