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22 december 2025.

College Football Playoff First Round Results: Ohio State, Texas, and Penn State Dominate.

The College Football Playoff first round concluded with a series of commanding victories that set the stage for an exciting quarterfinals. After No. 7 Notre Dame defeated No. 10 Indiana on Friday, Saturday’s games featured three decisive results.

Penn State Cruises Past SMU

The action kicked off in Happy Valley, where No. 6 Penn State showcased a defensive masterclass in their 38-10 win over No. 11 SMU. Two early pick-6s by the Nittany Lions' defense set the tone, forcing SMU to play catch-up throughout the game. Penn State’s running backs, Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, combined for 160 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while the defense held SMU to season lows in both points and yardage. Penn State now advances to face No. 3 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Related: Full game recap: Penn State vs. SMU

Texas Overpowers Clemson

In Austin, No. 5 Texas dismantled No. 12 Clemson in a game that was more lopsided than the 38-24 final score suggests. The Longhorns controlled the tempo throughout, with running back Jaydon Blue leading the charge with 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard run that sealed the win. Quarterback Quinn Ewers also delivered a solid performance, keeping the Tigers’ defense off balance. Texas will face No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.

Ohio State Dominates Tennessee

The nightcap featured No. 8 Ohio State’s dominant 42-17 win over No. 9 Tennessee. The Buckeyes’ offense came out firing, building a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Quarterback Will Howard threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while running back TreVeyon Henderson added two rushing scores. Ohio State’s defense stifled Tennessee’s offense, securing their spot against No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

Related: Ohio State vs. Tennessee breakdown

Key Takeaways: Line Play Dominance

One common theme in these blowouts was dominance in the trenches. Each winning team controlled the line of scrimmage, allowing their offenses to flourish and their defenses to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. This was particularly evident in Penn State’s defensive touchdowns and Texas’s ability to neutralize Clemson’s pass rush.

Quarterfinal Matchups Set

With the first round complete, fans can look forward to highly anticipated quarterfinal matchups:

Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State
Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Texas
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 6 Penn State
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

The quarterfinals promise tighter contests, with evenly matched teams vying for a spot in the semifinals.

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