Football games are won and lost in the trenches, and that'll be the case in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Let's dive into the best matchups to watch on Friday and Saturday as the first-ever 12-team CFP kicks off.
Clemson Offensive Line vs. Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton
Texas enters this matchup boasting arguably the best defense in the country. Allowing just 3.1 yards per rush, the Texas defensive line has been a dominant force against the run all season. They’ll face one of the strongest offensive lines they’ve encountered all year—a Clemson unit that is healthy and eager to impose its will early.
NFL prospects Blake Miller, Marcus Tate, and Tristan Leigh anchor Clemson’s line and will be tested by Texas’s elite duo of Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. Both Collins and Miller are potential first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. The physicality and technique on display in these matchups will be crucial to the outcome, as Clemson’s ability to control the line of scrimmage could open up their potent rushing and passing attacks. Conversely, if Collins and Broughton can consistently disrupt Clemson’s backfield, it will put immense pressure on Clemson’s Cade Klubnik to deliver under duress.
These trench battles will set the tone for the game and could ultimately decide which team advances to the next round.
SMU Defensive Front vs. Penn State offense
While many expect Penn State to handle the Cinderella-story SMU Mustangs with ease, they’ll have to contend with one of the most formidable defensive fronts in the country. Elijah Roberts, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive end, pairs with 6-foot-4, 348-pound defensive tackle Anthony Booker to form a disruptive tandem.
This SMU defensive front has been the backbone of the Mustangs’ success, excelling at collapsing pockets and shutting down opposing ground games. It’s a deep group that hasn’t been talked about enough. Penn State, one of the most run-heavy teams in this playoff field, relies heavily on their ability to dominate time of possession through their rushing attack.
The battle between Penn State’s offensive line and SMU’s defensive front will be pivotal. If SMU can stifle the Nittany Lions’ rushing attack, they’ll force Penn State to lean on their passing game. Meanwhile, SMU’s ability to turn this game into a high-scoring affair will hinge on their defensive front generating turnovers and quick stops.
The Mustangs’ defensive unit thrives on forcing mistakes, and if they can make Penn State’s offense one-dimensional, it’ll significantly improve their chances of pulling off the upset. This matchup embodies the classic underdog story, with SMU looking to prove they belong on the national stage against a powerhouse program.
Ohio State vs. Tennessee: Battle of Star Running Backs
Of all the first-round games, Ohio State vs. Tennessee is the premier talent battle. Star junior running back Dylan Sampson has dominated the national stage all year, putting together a sensational season with 22 rushing touchdowns. To put that in perspective, that’s eight more than the Ohio State tandem of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson combined. However, Ohio State’s running back room is widely regarded as the best in the country. All three backs in this game—Sampson, Judkins, and Henderson—are projected to be among the first 150 picks in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.
This game will likely be decided by which team can consistently establish the run. Both programs are loaded with talent in the trenches, making the offensive and defensive line matchups critical. What could separate the winner is which running back delivers the most explosive plays. These are the moments that not only move the chains but deflate a defense.
Ohio State will rely on the thunder-and-lightning dynamic of Judkins and Henderson to wear down Tennessee’s defense, while the ultra-spread offense of Tennessee provides Sampson plenty of opportunities to exploit light boxes. The running back who can tilt the balance with game-changing plays will likely lead their team to victory. Defending both phases of the game against Tennessee’s versatile attack will test Ohio State’s discipline, while Tennessee must prepare for a relentless ground-and-pound approach from the Buckeyes.
In a game teeming with NFL-caliber talent, the best running back performance could determine the winner.
