Ranking the possible matchups for CFP title game

The Final Four of the new College Football Playoff is set.

Not many expected Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, and Notre Dame to be the last schools alive in the CFP's first year after expanding to 12 teams, but here they are. The Longhorns will face the Buckeyes next, while the Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish will square off in the other semifinal. The CFP championship game could feature a huge potential Big Ten rematch or two of the nation's most storied programs seeking national glory after a long time, among other must-watch storylines.

Here are how the potential College Football Playoff National Championship matchups stack up ahead of the semifinals.

4. Texas vs. Penn State

Penn State and Texas have only played each other five times in the history of their storied programs. Their last meeting dates back to 1997, a 38-15 Nittany Lions victory in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State leads this all-time series 3-2.

A sixth tilt between the Longhorns and Nittany Lions would feature two head coaches looking for their first national title.

James Franklin has posted a 101-41 record at Penn State, but the Nittany Lions haven't won the biggest games under his watch. Adding a College Football Playoff National Championship to his resume would put Franklin on a different level even if it's against Texas, not Ohio State (more on that below).

For Steve Sarkisian, leading Texas to the program's first national championship since 2005 in its first season in the SEC would be monumental. It's only his fourth year in town.

3. Ohio State vs. Penn State

Would there be a better way for Franklin to end the narratives about his struggles in big games than winning the national title over an archrival that he's only beaten once in 11 meetings?

Franklin and Co. haven't beaten Ohio State since 2016 (thanks to the iconic Block-6). The Buckeyes have won eight in a row against the Nittany Lions, including a 20-13 triumph in November. A championship contest between them would be the only possible regular-season rematch in the CFP this year.

Seeking its first national title since 1986, Penn State is the nation's only team with two players each with at least 1,000 rushing yards in 2024. However, Ohio State limited Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton to 27 and 15 yards, respectively, two months ago. The battles on the ground and between the Nittany Lions' excellent defense and the Buckeyes' high-powered passing attack would be major factors in another marquee chapter to their rivalry.

2. Texas vs. Notre Dame

This game would have so much aura.

Notre Dame and Texas are tied with 961 all-time wins each, but the traditional programs haven't played for the championship since 2012 and 2009, respectively. The Longhorns haven't won since the 2005 season, while the Fighting Irish's national title drought dates back to 1988.

Sarkisian would become a legend in the state of Texas if he led the Longhorns to a national title after almost two decades. Marcus Freeman would also reach that status for Notre Dame if the team's epic playoff run ends with a title. He can also make history, as the Penn State-Notre Dame semifinal guarantees that Franklin or Freeman will have a chance to become the first Black head coach to win the national title at CFB's highest level.

We also can't talk about a potential Texas-Notre Dame matchup without mentioning the 2016 double-overtime thriller. The Longhorns' 50-47 upset of the Fighting Irish made many college fans say, "Texas is back," but we know that was premature. But it'd be epic if Texas had a chance to confirm that it's officially back against Notre Dame.

1. Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

A title game matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame would mark their third straight meeting in as many years. While the teams have played good games in recent memory, history isn't on the Fighting Irish's side here. They're 2-6 against the Buckeyes, with their most recent win dating to 1936. Ohio State has won six in a row in this series.

But a potential matchup between these two traditional programs would have much more than a notable eight-game series history. Ohio State ranks second in the all-time list with 976 wins, 15 more than Notre Dame's 961 at No. 4.

Both the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish didn't look ready for the CFP at different points in 2024. Ohio State's season felt lost after the team suffered a fourth straight defeat to a five-loss Michigan team in November. Meanwhile, who could've thought that Notre Dame would be a contender after its stunning loss to NIU, a 28.5-point underdog? Freeman's outfit hasn't lost since that September defeat.

The coaches would steal the show, too. Ryan Day desperately needs this championship after starting his Ohio State career 1-4 versus Michigan. Freeman would be taking on his alma mater, as he played for the Buckeyes from 2004-08 before starting his coaching career. He appeared in back-to-back title games with Ohio State but went 0-2.

Ohio State - whose last national championship came in 2014 - has played like the nation's best team, and its offense looks unstoppable with Will Howard, Jeremiah Smith, and Co. But Freeman's Notre Dame is a well-coached, well-rounded team that's been great at exploiting its opponents' main weaknesses and forcing mistakes in the playoffs. Football fans deserve this matchup.