In which BracketCat simulates second-round bowl results for the 16-team playoff bracket for 2024.
This one was worth the extra wait!
The second round features two very familiar bowl games, with similar outcomes, and two intriguing postseason matchups that never occurred, one of which gives us our first upset!
So scroll on to see who could have advanced to the Final Four of 2024-25…
(One note on bowl selection: Seeds have priority order for the bowl closest to their home campus, so Oregon gets Rose, then Georgia the Peach, then Texas the Sugar, and so on.)
Today’s Games
2025 Rose Bowl presented by Prudential:
No. 8 Indiana (12-1) vs. No. 1 Oregon (14-0)
The upstart Big Ten underdog travels to participate in its first Rose Bowl since 1968. Those voting unanimously incorrectly predicted hypothetical redemption for the Big Ten champion.
No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks (14-0; AP/Coaches #1): Big Ten Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #9 Boise State, #6 Ohio State, vs. #4 Penn State, #16 Clemson
Losses: none
Head Coach: Dan Lanning (3rd season)
Offensive Style: Spread option
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel
Running Backs: Jordan James and Da’Jaun Riggs
Wide Receivers: Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden
Tight End: Terrance Ferguson
No. 8 seed Indiana Hoosiers (12-1; AP/Coaches #9): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Nebraska (7-6), Michigan (8-5), #9 Boise State
Loss: @ #6 Ohio State
Head Coach: Curt Cignetti (1st season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Kurtis Rourke
Running Backs: Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton
Wide Receivers: Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt
Tight End: Zach Horton
Final Score: Indiana 34, Oregon 27 (OT)
Rose Bowl – Pasadena, California
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 – 2 PM PST / 5 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 64
Wind: SE 7 MPH
Player of the Game: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — In a wild first-round playoff clash at the 2025 Rose Bowl, No. 9 Indiana stunned No. 1 Oregon 34-27 in overtime on Wednesday, riding the arm — and legs — of quarterback Kurtis Rourke to secure one of the biggest wins in program history.
After a quiet first quarter, the Hoosiers (13-1) exploded for 17 second-quarter points, including a pair of touchdown passes from Rourke to Elijah Sarratt and Miles Cross. Oregon clawed back with a short TD run from Da’Jaun Riggs and a field goal just before halftime.
The Ducks (14-1) tied the game late in the third quarter on a 63-yard pick-six, but Indiana responded in the fourth with a 50-yard field goal from Nicolas Radicic. Riggs gave Oregon its first lead with a 38-yard touchdown burst, followed by a long field goal to go up 27-20.
Yet the Hoosiers wouldn’t quit. Justice Ellison punched in a 7-yard score with just over five minutes remaining to force overtime.
In the extra period, Rourke capped a methodical Indiana possession with a gutsy 13-yard touchdown run. The Hoosier defense then stood tall, ending Oregon’s drive and the game.
Rourke finished 29-of-45 for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding a rushing score and earning Player of the Game honors. Indiana outgained Oregon 472-330, converted 11 third downs and dominated time of possession.
For the Ducks, Riggs’ two touchdowns and Dillon Gabriel’s 203 passing yards weren’t enough to overcome three costly interceptions and missed opportunities down the stretch.
With the win, Indiana advances to the playoff “Final Four” — and sends a clear message to the rest of the field: they’re not just happy to be here.
2025 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: No. 7 Tennessee (11-2) vs. No. 2 Georgia (12-2)
The SEC champion enjoys a slightly better outcome in this version of the Peach Bowl, much to their SEC foe’s chagrin. Two-thirds of those who voted correctly predicted this thriller!
No. 2 seed Georgia Bulldogs (12-2; AP/Coaches #2): SEC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @ #3 Texas, #7 Tennessee, vs. #3 Texas, #15 South Carolina
Losses: @ #11 Alabama, @ # 14 Ole Miss
Head Coach: Kirby Smart (9th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Carson Beck
Running Backs: Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier
Wide Receivers: Colbie Young and Dominic Lovett
Tight End: Lawson Luckie
No. 7 seed Tennessee Volunteers (11-2; AP #7; Coaches #6): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): RV Florida (8-5), #11 Alabama, @Vanderbilt (7-6), #10 SMU
Losses: @Arkansas, @ #2 Georgia
Head Coach: Josh Heupel (4th season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Nico Iamaleava
Running Backs: Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop
Wide Receivers: Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Squirrel White
Tight End: Miles Kitselman
Final Score: Georgia 34, Tennessee 26
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 – 1 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 72
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Georgia QB Carson Beck
ATLANTA (AP) — Carson Beck threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns as No. 2 Georgia used a critical fourth-quarter interception return to pull away from No. 7 Tennessee, 34-26, in the College Football Playoff’s second round Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With the Bulldogs (13-2) clinging to a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Malaki Starks jumped a sideline route and returned the interception 58 yards for a touchdown.
Tight end Lawson Luckie hauled in the ensuing two-point conversion to stretch Georgia’s lead to 34-20, their largest of the game, and it proved too much for the Volunteers (11-3) to be able to avenge their Nov. 16 road loss to Georgia in what was another road environment.
Beck, who was named the Peach Bowl’s Most Valuable Player, finished 20-of-37 passing and led scoring drives in every quarter. He connected with Colbie Young on a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter and found Dillon Bell for a 24-yard score in the second.
Tennessee held a 20-17 lead late in the second quarter after Dylan Sampson’s second rushing touchdown, but Georgia responded with a 32-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring as time expired in the half, tying the game at 20. Woodring hit two more in the third, one of them a 50-yarder, to push the Bulldogs ahead for good.
Despite outgaining Georgia 449-381 and earning more first downs, the Volunteers were undone by two interceptions from starter Nico Iamaleava, including the pivotal pick-six.
Sampson led Tennessee with 67 rushing yards and both of the team’s touchdowns, while Iamaleava threw for 323 yards on 25-of-39 passing before being replaced by Gaston Moore.
Georgia’s defense bent but didn’t break, allowing just two second-half field goals and holding Tennessee to 5-of-17 on third downs. The win sends the formidable Bulldogs to the playoff semifinals, where they’ll aim for another shot at the national championship.
2025 Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 6 Ohio State (11-2) vs. No. 3 Texas (12-2)
We all know what happened, folks. Maybe this one doesn’t feature Jack Sawyer making what had to be the defensive play of the season, but still, Texas ain’t fooling anyone.
No. 3 seed Texas Longhorns (12-2; AP/Coaches #4): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): RV Florida (8-5), @RV Texas A&M (8-5), #14 Ole Miss
Losses: #2 Georgia, vs. #2 Georgia
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (4th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Quinn Ewers
Running Backs: Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue
Wide Receivers: Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden
Tight End: Gunnar Helm
No. 6 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2; AP #6; Coaches #7): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Iowa (8-5), @ #4 Penn State, #8 Indiana, #11 Alabama
Losses: @ #1 Oregon, RV Michigan
Head Coach: Ryan Day (6th season)
Offensive Style: Spread option
Quarterback: Will Howard
Running Backs: TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins
Wide Receivers: Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka
Tight End: Gee Scott Jr.
Final Score: Ohio State 45, Texas 21
Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 – 3 PM CST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 72
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Ohio State QB Will Howard
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Will Howard threw three touchdown passes and TreVeyon Henderson scored three times on the ground as No. 6 Ohio State surged past No. 4 Texas, 45-21, in a second-round playoff shootout Thursday at the Caesars Superdome.
Howard, named Player of the Game, completed 22 of 29 passes for 339 yards and three scores, guiding an Ohio State offense that racked up 593 total yards and didn’t commit a turnover. The Buckeyes (12-2) scored on six of their first seven drives and never trailed.
Ohio State struck early and often in the Sugar Bowl, racing out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead. Howard found Gee Scott Jr., Emeka Egbuka and freshman standout Jeremiah Smith for touchdowns in a span of eight minutes. Smith finished with five catches for 87 yards, while Egbuka added 77 yards on four receptions.
Texas (12-3) showed life in the second quarter, responding with three touchdown drives of its own, engineered by quarterback Quinn Ewers. He threw for 427 yards and three scores, including a 43-yard strike to Isaiah Bond just before halftime to cut the deficit to 35-21.
But the Buckeyes took control for good in the third. Henderson, who finished with 98 rushing yards, broke a 10-yard touchdown run to cap the opening drive of the second half, and Jayden Fielding tacked on a 35-yard field goal. Texas never scored again.
Ohio State’s defense tightened after halftime, forcing a punt or turnover on downs on all five second-half possessions. Cody Simon and Jack Sawyer each recorded sacks, and Lathan Ransom came up with a key interception of Ewers in the third quarter.
With the win, Ohio State advances to the national semifinals, where the Buckeyes will seek their first national championship appearance since 2020.
2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: No. 5 Notre Dame (12-1) vs. No. 4 Penn State (12-2)
Same as with Ohio State-Texas: the same loss occurs one round earlier. Awkward for Penn State, which actually won the Fiesta Bowl (over Boise). Poll said this was a coin-flip game.
No. 4 seed Penn State Nittany Lions (12-2; AP/Coaches #5): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @USC (7-6), #20 Illinois, @Minnesota (8-5), #13 Miami
Losses: #6 Ohio State, vs. #1 Oregon
Head Coach: James Franklin (11th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Drew Allar
Running Backs: Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen
Wide Receivers: Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans
Tight End: Tyler Warren
No. 5 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1; AP/Coaches #3): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @RV Texas A&M, RV Louisville, vs. #22 Army, #12 Arizona State
Loss: Northern Illinois
Head Coach: Marcus Freeman (3rd season)
Offensive Style: Multiple
Quarterback: Riley Leonard
Running Backs: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price
Wide Receivers: Beaux Collins and Jordan Faison
Tight End: Mitchell Evans
Final Score: Notre Dame 37, Penn State 34
State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 – 5:30 PM MST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 78
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jeremiyah Love rushed for 135 yards and four touchdowns, including a bruising 5-yard score late in the third quarter, and No. 3 Notre Dame survived a furious rally from No. 5 Penn State to win 37-34 on a walk-off field goal Tuesday in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Love, the Fiesta Bowl MVP, was electric from the start, breaking a 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and adding two more in the second as the Fighting Irish (13-1) built a 27-7 halftime lead. His final touchdown with 3:48 left in the third appeared to seal the game, putting Notre Dame up 34-14.
But Penn State (12-3) roared back. Behind Nicholas Singleton’s three touchdown runs and quarterback Drew Allar’s 364 passing yards, the Nittany Lions scored 20 unanswered points in the final 16 minutes. Singleton tied the game at 34 with a 1-yard plunge with 1:18 left, capping a 7-play, 62-yard drive.
Notre Dame, however, had one last answer.
Quarterback Riley Leonard, who finished with 266 passing yards and no turnovers, calmly drove the Irish 48 yards in just seven plays, setting up kicker Mitch Jeter’s 43-yard field goal as time expired. Jeter, who earlier had missed from 50 and 47 yards, drilled the winner straight through the uprights.
Notre Dame controlled the game on the ground, rushing 51 times for 214 yards while holding Penn State to just 3 yards per carry. The Irish defense sacked Allar three times and forced the game’s only turnover, a second-quarter interception by Benjamin Morrison.
Penn State’s comeback was fueled by big plays through the air, with six different receivers gaining more than 40 yards. But the Irish defense held firm when it mattered most.
With the win, Notre Dame advances to the national semifinals and keeps its title hopes alive in head coach Marcus Freeman’s third season.
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. (And yes, I know we already know some of these outcomes from the actual playoff. It will be interesting to see if the simulator agrees.)
BracketCat’s Protest Playoff Archives
2024: Kickoff | Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2)
2008: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data
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