Majority of the article, linked at bottom focuses on Oregon vs Ohio State with long analysis on both teams, more than the other Keys to the games for the other matchups.
So who you got in the quarterfinals: My picks in bold
Dec 31st 7:30
Penn State vs Boise State
Keys to the game
Penn State: Attack the Boise corners. Even though the Nittany Lions’ strength is their run game (ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten), they should be able to have a big day throwing the football
Boise State: Protect the perimeter. As good as Penn State’s running back tandem of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen is, the Nittany Lions’ identity this year under Kotelnicki is to beat you from the outside in.
“Penn State is gimmicky,” said a Big Ten linebackers coach. “They’re very good at stressing you in space. They don’t start with handing the ball off. They start with getting the ball to the perimeter throwing screens, quick throws, RPOs.”
The Broncos did as good a job as anyone this season against Oregon, holding the Ducks to just 352 yards of offense and 109 on the ground
Jan 1
1pm
Texas vs Arizona State
Keys to the game
Arizona State: Manufacture pressure. Texas was held under 139 rushing yards in a game only twice this season, both by Georgia.
Texas: Don’t let Cameron Skattebo get started. In Arizona State’s 10 wins, their bell cow back averaged 143 yards rushing. In their two losses, he averaged 68.
5pm
Oregon vs Ohio State
Of the 14 coaches The Athletic granted anonymity in exchange for their unfiltered breakdowns of the 12-team Playoff’s quarterfinal matchups, several said that the Buckeyes were the most impressive team that played in the opening round.
8:45pm
Notre Dame vs Georgia
Keys to the game
Notre Dame: Throw it to the running backs. The Irish don’t have elite wideouts and are limited in the downfield passing game. They’ve had just nine pass plays of 30 yards or longer this season, 129th in the FBS. But they do have explosive running backs, including Jeremiyah Love.
Georgia: Feed Trevor Etienne. The Florida transfer’s rushing numbers aren’t exactly eye-catching, with 571 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games this season, but he did a lot of damage against Texas in the SEC title game, running for 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground plus five catches for 28 yards. The Georgia offense really has missed the game-changing ability of all-world tight end Brock Bowers and the talent of wideout Ladd McConkey.
“They’re not as good at receiver as they’ve been,
# CFP confidential: What rival coaches see in Ohio State-Oregon II and other quarterfinals
Full article at Link
