Welcome to the second round of the College Football Playoff and a slate of games that will see some prospects solidify their 2025 NFL Draft evaluations, while others will undoubtedly force second opinions. In what will be the first glimpse of the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks, Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty, and the powerful yet electric Cam Skattebo, it’s going to be a heck of a slate of games to wrap up 2024 (Penn State vs. Boise State) and to kick off 2025 on New Year's Day.
While last week largely consisted of blowouts and uncompetitive football, here are a few matchups and NFL draft names to know in the second round of the new-look 12-team CFP.
Penn State Front Seven vs. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
It goes without saying how important Jeanty is to the success of the Broncos’ offense. He’s everything and more, and when he’s rolling, Boise State can score with anyone in the country. However, they haven’t faced a team like Penn State since early in the year when they lost by a field goal to Oregon. However, that’s a long time ago, and the first few series for Boise State will be huge in them asserting Jeanty’s presence in the ground game.
A Heisman trophy finalist, Jeanty has amassed 30 or more carries in seven of his last eight starts with 13 trips to the endzone. If he’s unable to get his legs going, it’s going to be a long day for Boise State QB Maddux Madsen, who's thrown for over 200 yards in just six of his 13 starts this fall. But if Jeanty can explode for a few chunk plays in the first half, and get his legs going, the Broncos have a shot against the Nittany Lions who also like to churn clock on the ground as well.
After finishing second in Heisman voting to Colorado DB/WR Travis Hunter, you can bet Jeanty will enter Tuesday’s matchup with a chip on his shoulder.
Ohio State-Oregon Part II
Sit back and enjoy this one, folks. Six weeks removed from Oregon’s nail-biter at home over the Buckeyes, the two reconvene at the granddaddy of them all in the Coliseum. While the Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning have had a few weeks to sit back and work back to full strength, the Buckeyes enter with as much momentum as any team left in the CFP after they dismantled Tennessee last weekend.
This game features Dillon Gabriel, Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith, TreVeyon Henderson, Jordan James, Josh Conerly Jr., Derrick Harmon, Jabbar Muhammad, and Tez Johnson. It’s a who's who event for NFL scouts and the headlining matchup of the quarterfinal round.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers vs. Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt
Just a redshirt freshman, Sam Leavitt enters his matchup against Quinn Ewers with a massive chip on his shoulder.
"I've watched him for a fair amount of time now," Leavitt said. "I'm just excited for the opportunity. People keep counting me out since day one, and I'm gonna go prove why I'm the better quarterback."
Those words have surely already made their way to the Longhorns’ locker room.
Leavitt has become one of college football’s most exciting dual-threat playmakers as the 2024 campaign has made its way to the homestretch. A transfer from Michigan State, Leavitt enters his matchup against the Longhorns with six touchdowns compared to zero interceptions in his last two weeks, with another 50 yards and a TD on the ground. Skattebo has holstered all of the attention for Arizona State in recent weeks, but if the Sun Devils eye a trip to the next round, it’ll likely sit on Leavitt’s shoulders to elevate the performance ceiling.
For Ewers, another week means another opportunity to raise his draft stock, and ultimately, delay the Arch Manning era as long as possible in Austin. While Ewers has been discussed as a first-round talent since his days back in high school, he entered the season with fourth-round grades from a majority of teams and is a player looking to solidify his standing on boards as the draft nears. Ewers hasn’t been asked to sit back and dissect teams week after week, but if the Texas ground game stumbles early, it’ll be on the veteran in Ewers to pump his talented group of wideouts with volume both accurately and on time.
Players to Watch: Oregon DB Brandon Johnson & Boise State LT Kage Casey
In their first matchup, Brandon Johnson was targeted the most of any Ducks defender in coverage (11), allowing each pass his way to be completed for 82 yards and a touchdown. Johnson, Oregon’s primary slot corner and a transfer from Duke, will likely be thrown at early and often until he can show Ohio State he’s able to contain his area against varying body types.
For Kage Casey, countering likely top-10 pick Abdul Carter could hold the key to Boise State punching their ticket to the next round. In 399 pass pro snaps this fall, Casey has allowed just five pressures and zero sacks, pitching a shutout in four of his last five starts. He has yet to face a player like Carter this season, however, and for the redshirt sophomore, it could be his early stamp on anointing himself as a tackle prospect to watch down the line.
