Joel Klatt Predicts Winners Of College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Games
It's sure to be an exciting start to the 2025 calendar for fans all around the college football world.
Beginning with Tuesday night's New Year's Eve matchup between Penn State and Boise State, the first ever College Football Quarterfinals will continue with holiday bowl games between Texas and Arizona State (Peach Bowl), Ohio State and Oregon (Rose Bowl) and Notre Dame vs. Georgia (Sugar Bowl) to determine who inches one step closer to the national title game.
Before all the action gets started, FOX Sports' Joel Klatt revealed his picks for each of the quarterfinal battles — starting with tonight's Fiesta Bowl.
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Boise State (Klatt prediction: Penn State 38, Boise State 24)
According to Klatt, the Nittany Lions are playing their best football right now — and as good as anyone in the country. He loves what they're doing both offensively and defensively and thinks the program's roster is flatly better than Boise's.
With that said, he sees Penn State having its "hands full" with running back Ashton Jeanty. However, it won't be enough.
I think Boise State will play outstanding in the first half, and we'll ultimately have an enticing game. I don't think Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen will be able to do a ton against this Penn State defense, though. ... Penn State will have to get Boise State out of its comfort zone, and I think it will do that. I believe the Nittany Lions will start to pull away in the third and fourth quarters. Even if quarterback Drew Allar turns the ball over, Penn State is going to score some points. PSU's depth is going to be an issue for Boise State, and it doesn't lose games that it should win.
No. 5 Texas vs. No. 4 Arizona State (Klatt prediction: Texas 31, Arizona State 21)
Klatt believes the Longhorns are one of the team's at the highest risk of overlooking their opponent and that ASU is in a really good spot to pull an upset. But the absence of top receiver Jordyn Tyson will ultimately be too much for the Sun Devils to bear.
I wanted to make this a tight game. I could see this game playing out the same way I envision the Fiesta Bowl playing out. Quinn Ewers is the major concern I have about Texas. If he's asked to carry the Longhorns to a win, I've got my questions about that. If Ewers just has to manage the game, then I'm fine with Ewers. Texas' offensive line and wide receiver Isaiah Bond's expected return to the lineup should give the Longhorns the ultimate edge. ... but it'll be a little closer than what the spread suggests.
No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Oregon (Klatt prediction: Ohio State 42, Oregon 41)
This one Klatt says was his toughest to pick. October's game could've gone either way and a case can be made for either side. However, Klatt is going grit his teeth and give a slight edge to the Buckeyes this time around.
Ohio State should've learned that lesson by now. The Buckeyes should know by now that Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have to get the ball early and often. It seems like they learned that lesson when they demolished Tennessee.
This is the toughest game to pick. I've gone both ways on this, so I'm hedging here: Ohio State will win by one point this time around. This game should be incredible.
EUGENE, OREGON - OCTOBER 12: Traeshon Holden #1 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball after a catch during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Georgia (Klatt prediction: Notre Dame 24, Georgia 17)
The easiest of the four matchups to pick (in Klatt's eyes) is Notre Dame-Georgia. The college football analyst simply doesn't trust the Bulldogs and thinks it could be a good night for Marcus Freeman's team.
I think Georgia could be in trouble. [Riley] Leonard could have a big night, and this Notre Dame team has a roster built to beat this Georgia team.
I don't think this isn't the same Georgia team we've been accustomed to seeing the last few years, either. I think this game was the easiest of the four to pick.
Are you in lockstep with Klatt here? What are your picks for the CFP quarters?
