The College Football Playoff semifinals boast big brands, future NFL stars and fan bases hungry for a national title. The margin for error is razor-thin in a 60-minute duel for a national championship berth.
Here are the most important people in the CFP semifinals:
Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State wide receiver
The sensational freshman has been unstoppable for No. 8 Ohio State (12-2) in the CFP. Through two games, he has 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns. He’s going against an elite Texas secondary, does that really matter?
“He’s a big baller. Strong, strong ability,” said Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, the Jim Thorpe Award winner as the top defensive back in college football (h/t: Sports Illustrated).
Of Smith, Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said, per On3.com: “It’s almost like you’re dealing with a 10-year NFL veteran in terms of how he approaches meetings, how he approaches practice. And it’s really — it’s rare.”
Adon Shuler | Notre Dame safety
Tight end Tyler Warren of No. 6-seeded Penn State (13-2) is the best in the nation at his position this season, compiling 1,158 receiving yards and eclipsing 100 receiving yards four times. No. 7 Notre Dame’s (13-1) Shuler will most likely be matched up against Warren. According to Pro Football Focus, he allows only 50% of targets to be caught in one-on-one coverage against tight ends.
Tyler Warren | Penn State tight end
Speaking of Warren, he is the most essential piece to Penn State’s passing attack. He has averaged at least 10 yards per catch in 10 of 15 games this season. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar only targets his wide receivers 35% of the time, according to PFF, so it’s paramount Warren shakes free against a stout Irish defense.
Jeremiyah Love | Notre Dame running back
Love, who is nursing a right knee injury, is “on track to play,” according to a report Tuesday. That’s good news for the Irish because the running back leads the team with 1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. His 98-yard touchdown run against No. 11 Indiana in the CFP first round was the highlight of the game, but he tweaked the knee last week against No. 2 Georgia. He originally suffered an injury to it during the regular-season finale against USC.
Jadarian Price | Notre Dame running back
No matter Love’s status, it’s clear he won’t be 100% against Penn State. Price is a backup on the depth chart, but he’s just as capable as Love, racking up 720 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Penn State defends the run well (100.9 yards per game, eighth in the nation), and it’s paramount Price produces a big game.
Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton | Penn State running backs
Notre Dame defends the pass extremely well (167.4 yards per game, fifth in nation). The Nittany Lions will look to establish the run with Allen and Singleton, who have been dynamite in the playoffs, combining for 381 yards in two playoff games. If they are effective, it should open the game up for Penn State QB Drew Allar and Warren.
Texas secondary
The secondary of No. 5 Texas (13-2) is allowing an opponent passer rating of just 59.8 this season. Can the Longhorns contain Smith and Emeka Egbuka? This is the best wide receiver corps Texas will face this season.
Quinn Ewers | Texas quarterback
Ewers is going against his former school in the semifinals. Ohio State features the No. 1 pass defense in the country (152.4 yards per game), so he must be sharp. He has thrown five touchdown passes and four interceptions in the past three games.
