In which BracketCat simulates first-round results for the “right side” of the 16-team playoff bracket for 2020.
A Big Ten championship game rematch, the “battle for Kelvin Sampson” in Norman, and intriguing new matchups in Florida and South Carolina highlight today’s games. Scroll down to see who will move on to the second round!
Today’s Games
Game 1: No. 14 Northwestern (6-2) @ No. 3 Ohio State (6-0)
The Ducks travel between the hedges for a matchup with their future head coach, currently Georgia’s defensive coordinator. All of you were correct about the home team’s chances.
No. 3 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0; AP/Coaches #3): Big Ten Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #11 Indiana, vs. #14 Northwestern
Losses: none
Head Coach: Ryan Day (2nd season)
Offensive Style: West Coast spread
Quarterback: Justin Fields
Running Backs: Trey Sermon and Master Teague III
Wide Receivers: Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson
Tight End: Jeremy Ruckert
No. 14 seed Northwestern Huskies (6-2; AP #15; Coaches #13): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @#15 Iowa, Wisconsin (4-3)
Losses: @Michigan State, vs. #3 Ohio State
Head Coaches: Pat Fitzgerald (15th season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Peyton Ramsey
Running Backs: Cam Porter and Evan Hull
Wide Receivers: Kyric McGowan and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman
Tight End: John Raine
Final Score: Ohio State 35, Northwestern 21
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020 – 11 AM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 17
Wind: S 13 MPH
Player of the Game: Ohio State RB Trey Sermon
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Trey Sermon powered through Northwestern’s defense for 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns as No. 3 Ohio State controlled the line of scrimmage and the clock Saturday in a 35-21 victory over No. 15 Northwestern in the College Football Playoff’s opening round at Ohio Stadium.
Sermon, who averaged nearly 9 yards per carry and added 20 receiving yards on three catches, earned Player of the Game honors after pacing an Ohio State offense that racked up 526 total yards and held the ball for nearly 40 minutes.
After falling behind 14-7 early in the second quarter, the Buckeyes (7-0) responded with 28 unanswered points. Justin Fields threw for 263 yards and two scores, including a 10-yard strike to Chris Olave that tied the game with 3:41 left before halftime.
Ohio State grabbed a 21-14 lead just before the break when Sermon capped a 7-play, 62-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown plunge.
Fields’ second touchdown pass, an 11-yard toss to Master Teague III early in the fourth quarter, extended the lead to 35-14, all but sealing the win in this Big Ten championship game rematch. Teague also added a rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
Ohio State converted 11 of 20 third downs and went 2 for 2 on fourth down, showcasing the efficiency that made them Big Ten champions with their 22-10 win over Northwestern a week ago.
Northwestern (6-3) hung tough early. Peyton Ramsey passed for 220 yards and two touchdowns, including an 8-yard score to Kyric McGowan that briefly gave the Wildcats a 14-7 lead. But the Northwestern run game sputtered, managing just 46 yards on 26 carries, as the Ohio State front seven consistently clogged lanes and generated pressure.
With the win, the Buckeyes advance to the CFP quarterfinals, where they’ll play the winner of the matchup between Indiana and Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
Game 2: No. 11 Indiana (6-1) @ No. 6 Oklahoma (8-2)
An Indiana team that honestly beat no one of note and lost at Ohio State (sound familiar?) travels to Norman to take on the last “good” OU team. Once again, the poll carried the day.
No. 6 seed Oklahoma Sooners (8-2; AP #8; Coaches #7): Big 12 Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Missouri State (5-5), vs. #20 Texas, @TCU (6-4), #21 Oklahoma State, vs. #10 Iowa State
Losses: Kansas State, @ #10 Iowa State
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (4th season)
Offensive Style: Air raid
Quarterback: Spencer Rattler
Running Backs: Rhamondre Stevenson and Seth McGowan
Wide Receivers: Charleston Rambo and Finn Corwin
No. 11 seed Indiana Hoosiers (6-1; AP #7; Coaches #8): at-large bid
Notable Win (CFP Rankings): @Wisconsin (4-3)
Loss: @ #3 Ohio State
Head Coach: Tom Allen (4th season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Michael Penix Jr.
Running Backs: Stevie Scott III and Tim Baldwin Jr.
Wide Receivers: David Ellis and Whop Philyor
Tight End: Peyton Hendershot
Final Score: Oklahoma 55, Indiana 10
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma
Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 – 6 PM CST / 7 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 55
Wind: SW 9 MPH
Player of the Game: Oklahoma RB Rhamondre Stevenson
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Rhamondre Stevenson bulldozed through No. 7 Indiana’s defense for 114 yards and three touchdowns as No. 8 Oklahoma overwhelmed the 11th-seeded Hoosiers, 55-10, in a dominant first-round performance Friday night at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Stevenson, named Player of the Game, found the end zone on runs of 34, 6, and 3 yards and added 31 receiving yards to spearhead an Oklahoma offense that surged to 38 unanswered points in the second half. The Sooners (9-2) outgained Indiana 169-34 on the ground and scored four rushing touchdowns while forcing three turnovers.
After Indiana (6-2) took a brief 7-3 lead on a Michael Penix Jr. touchdown pass to Whop Philyor late in the first quarter, Oklahoma’s defense flipped the game’s momentum. Tre Norwood jumped a route for an 81-yard pick-six early in the second quarter, and Norwood struck again in the third with a 65-yard interception return to stretch the lead to 27-10.
From there, the floodgates opened. Quarterback Spencer Rattler managed the game efficiently, throwing for 189 yards and a score, including a 16-yard touchdown to Finn Corwin late in the third quarter. T.J. Pledger added a 24-yard touchdown run in the final frame as Oklahoma finished with seven touchdowns from six different players.
Indiana showed flashes behind Penix, who threw for 415 yards on 60 attempts, but the Hoosiers’ offensive line couldn’t contain Oklahoma’s relentless pass rush. Penix was sacked five times and picked off twice, both resulting in Sooner touchdowns. Ty Fryfogle led the Indiana receivers with 111 yards, while Philyor added 86 and the team’s lone touchdown.
Oklahoma advances to face No. 3 Ohio State in the CFP quarterfinals — a marquee matchup at the Cotton Bowl between traditional powers with national title aspirations.
Game 3: No. 10 Iowa State (8-3) @ No. 7 Florida (8-3)
The surprise Big 12 challenger makes it way south to The Swamp to take on an SEC powerhouse that nearly knocked off Alabama. Voters kept their hot streak on this one.
No. 7 seed Florida Gators (8-3; AP/Coaches #10): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @Ole Miss (5-5), Missouri (5-5), vs. #9 Georgia
Losses: @ #5 Texas A&M, LSU, vs. #1 Alabama
Head Coach: Dan Mullen (3rd season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Kyle Trask
Running Backs: Dameon Pierce and Malik Davis
Wide Receivers: Kadarius Toney and Jacob Copeland
Tight End: Kyle Pitts
No. 10 seed Iowa State Cyclones (8-3; AP/Coaches #12): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @TCU (6-4), #6 Oklahoma, @ #20 Texas, West Virginia (6-4)
Losses: #19 Louisiana, @ #21 Oklahoma State, vs. #6 Oklahoma
Head Coach: Matt Campbell (5th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Brock Purdy
Running Backs: Breece Hall and Kene Nwangwu
Wide Receivers: Xavier Hutchinson and Tarique Milton
Tight End: Charlie Kolar
Final Score: Iowa State 37, Florida 32
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, Florida
Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 – 3:30 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 49
Wind: W 14 MPH, gusting to 20-21 MPH
Player of the Game: Iowa State RB Breece Hall
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — No. 12 Iowa State stunned the seventh-seeded Florida Gators in their home stadium Friday with a relentless fourth-quarter rally, capped by a 30-yard touchdown from Brock Purdy to Landen Akers in the final minutes to seal a 37-32 victory in the opening round of the 2020 College Football Playoff.
The Cyclones (9-3) leaned on running back Breece Hall, the Player of the Game who delivered a sensational performance with 166 rushing yards and two second-half touchdowns. Hall broke open a tight contest with a 51-yard score early in the fourth, then added an 8-yard touchdown to give Iowa State a 31-20 lead. He also contributed 56 receiving yards on five catches, making him a constant threat in both phases of the game.
Florida (8-4) fought back with a flurry, including a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Trask to Kadarius Toney, followed by a 73-yard punt return touchdown that momentarily put the Gators ahead 32-31 with just over four minutes remaining.
But the scrappy Cyclones responded decisively, marching downfield before Purdy found Akers on a perfectly timed route to reclaim the lead with 1:05 to go.
Purdy finished 22 of 36 for 313 yards and three touchdowns in a composed and mistake-free outing. His favorite target, Tarique Milton, pulled in 106 receiving yards and a touchdown, including a crucial 67-yard strike that set up first-half points.
Trask was prolific for Florida, throwing for 431 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. Toney led all pass catchers with 117 yards and a score, while tight end Kyle Pitts added 75 yards.
Despite the offensive fireworks, the difference came on the ground. Iowa State outgained Florida 169-52 in rushing yards and dominated in time of possession and third-down efficiency. The Cyclones now advance to face either Clemson or Iowa in the quarterfinals.
Game 4: No. 15 Iowa (6-2) @ No. 2 Clemson (10-1)
The defense-minded Hawkeyes venture into Death Valley to take on the ACC champion. The prescient pollsters made it a perfect 4 for 4 in a single day for the first time with this one.
No. 2 seed Clemson Tigers (10-1; AP/Coaches #2): ACC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Virginia (5-5), #18 Miami, Boston College (6-5), Pittsburgh (6-5), vs. #4 Notre Dame
Loss: @ #4 Notre Dame
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (12th full, 13th overall season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
Running Backs: Travis Etienne and Lyn-J Dixon
Wide Receivers: Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell
Tight End: Braden Galloway
No. 15 seed Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2; AP #17; Coaches #16): at-large bid
Notable Win (CFP Rankings): Wisconsin (4-3)
Losses: @Purdue, #14 Northwestern
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz (22nd season)
Offensive Style: Multiple
Quarterback: Spencer Petras
Running Backs: Tyler Goodson and Mekhi Sargent
Wide Receivers: Nico Ragaini and Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Tight End: Sam LaPorta
Final Score: Clemson 35, Iowa 17
Memorial Stadium – Clemson, South Carolina
Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020 – 8 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 34
Wind: None
Player of the Game: Clemson RB Travis Etienne
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Powered by a 135-yard, two-touchdown performance from senior running back Travis Etienne, No. 2 Clemson steadily wore down a game but overmatched Iowa team in a 35-17 first-round win Saturday in the 2020 College Football Playoff.
The Tigers (11-1) controlled the game with time of possession and third-down efficiency, converting 14 of 21 attempts and holding the ball for nearly 37 minutes.
Though Clemson settled for four first-half field goals from B.T. Potter, its offense found its rhythm after halftime.
Etienne, the game’s MVP, scored both of his touchdowns in the second half, first on a 3-yard plunge, then on a backbreaking 50-yard sprint to the end zone in the fourth quarter.
He also contributed 69 receiving yards, proving instrumental in Clemson’s balanced attack.
No. 17 Iowa (6-3) showed flashes of fight, particularly in the third quarter when Spencer Petras connected with Brandon Smith for a 7-yard touchdown and Keith Duncan nailed a 50-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 18-10.
Tyler Goodson, who totaled 138 scrimmage yards, added a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth to keep the Hawkeyes within striking distance.
But Clemson’s depth and tempo proved too much. Trevor Lawrence spread the ball to nine different receivers, finishing with 374 passing yards and a touchdown, and Cornell Powell hauled in a 17-yard score early in the fourth quarter to help to put the game out of reach.
With the win, Clemson advances to the CFP quarterfinals, where it will face Iowa’s in-state rival — Iowa State, a surprise winner over Florida — in the Orange Bowl.
Tomorrow’s Games
To make these posts more fun and interactive, please vote for who you think would win each matchup! I can’t promise to take the votes into account because of the simulation process I use, but it will be interesting to see and discuss the results, plus they may serve as a sort of a tiebreaker if I end up needing one.
BracketCat’s Protest Playoff Archives
2024: Kickoff | Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2023: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2022: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2021: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2020: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1)
2008: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange
2007: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data
2006: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data
2005: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Rose | Data
2004: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data
2003: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data
2002: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data
2001: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Rose | Data
2000: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data | Encore
1999: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data | Encore
1998: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data | Encore