EAST LANSING— After a historic three-month college football season, it’s now time for the highly anticipated debut of the new 12-team playoffs.  

This season was truly special. It was the first year of the re-aligned conferences, the first year without Nick Saban on the sidelines and the only No. 1 Oregon finished the season undefeated. The playoffs could be anyone’s game.  

No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame 

This matchup is between two in-state, one-loss, rivals. Both teams have veteran quarterbacks, Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard.   

Rourke has an advantage because he is third in the country in total quarterback rating (QBR), has a 70% completion percentage and has thrown 27 touchdowns. Leonard did not start the season so hot in the passing game but has picked it up by throwing 11 touchdowns in the past five games.  

The key to this matchup comes down to both teams’ defenses. Both teams want to establish the run game early to open the vertical passing game.  

Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love has 949 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season, while Indiana’s Justice Ellison has 811 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. Whichever team slows down the rushing attack will win the game.  

Notre Dame’s fans will play a huge factor in the game, but I believe that Indiana will come out on top in this in-state rivalry game. I just do not have faith in the Notre Dame passing attack. I believe that Rourke will make the plays down the stretch and that Indiana will win the game 24-20.  

No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State  

SMU was a newcomer to the ACC this season, and people thought that they would not compete. Penn State has been at the top of the Big Ten ever since head coach James Franklin got there in 2014.  

Ever since SMU decided to go with quarterback Kevin Jennings in week four, its offense has taken off. Jennings has 3,050 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Penn State’s Drew Allar has 2,894 passing yards and 21 touchdowns.  

A huge factor in this game is that Penn State is doing a White Out game, and these games get some of the most electric atmospheres in the sport. SMU has had a great season, but Penn State just has way too much talent. Penn State has two top 20 picks in edge rusher Abdul Carter and tight end Tyler Warren. Penn State wins this game easily, 35-17.  

No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas  

This matchup is between two traditional blue bloods in college football: Clemson and Texas. If Clemson had not won the ACC championship game against SMU, they would not have made the playoffs. Clemson’s quarterback Cade Klubnik has been improving as the season has gone along, throwing for 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns.  

If Clemson wants a chance of beating Texas, they need to look at how Georgia beat Texas twice this year, which is stopping Texas’s rushing attack and going after the quarterback. Clemson needs defensive end T.J. Parker to keep balling out like he has in the second half of the season.  

This Texas team has all the talent in the world and arguably has the best defense in the country, which ranks third in total defense. Their defense also ranks second in turnovers gained, which can play a huge role in this game because Clemson ranks ninth in turnovers lost.  

If Texas wants to win it all comes down to veteran quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers has struggled since coming back from his ankle injury. If Texas can protect Ewers, they will win the game.  

I think this game will be closer than a lot of people think it will be. I think this game will be close in the first half, but Texas’ defense will come up huge with creating key turnovers in the second half. I have Texas winning 27-17.

No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State 

This game is the best first-round matchup of the playoffs. Both teams are arguably in the top five in the country and must play each other in the first round; this is a must-watch TV. This matchup is a stretch against strength.  

Ohio State’s offense versus Tennessee’s defense. Ohio State’s offense needs to bounce back after their horrible showing against Michigan, where they only scored 10 points in the game. Look for Ohio State to get the ball to star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith early and often.  

For Tennessee it all comes down to redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. This is his biggest game yet, and it comes on the road. Iamaleava needs to protect the football. I believe that Tennessee’s defense will make the plays they need to, and Tennessee wins 24-21.