Break downs and Coaching Points for Round 2 of the College Football Playoffs
Dec 31, 2024 7:46 pm
Coach -
The College Football Playoff's second round is here! Eight elite teams clash, with coaches stressing preparation, execution, and adapting to unique opponents. Expect intense battles as they fight to inch one step closer to a national championship.
Tuesday, December 31st - Fiesta Bowl - 7:30pm
Penn State vs Boise State
Interestingly enough however you look at this one Boise seems to be the underdog despite their higher ranking. This game really becomes difficult in scope to predict.
Boise lost a close one to the common opponent in the Oregon Ducks. They may have won the game had it not collapsed on special teams as the Broncos allowed a punt return and kickoff return for a touchdown.
The Lions have spent extra time on the Boise film since their matchup with Oregon was so recent (Dec. 7 in the Big Ten final).
From close matchups with a common opponent, to arguably the best offensive player in CFB on one side and a top 5 offense this season. Facing a top 5 defense on the other side of the ball. Could special teams and two coordinators with over 20 years of experience be the difference?
Justin Lustig is the special teams coordinator for the Nittany Lions and will be tasked with containing a Broncos special teams unit ranked #14 by PFF. He talks about kick-off in this video.
Maybe an added layer to this matchup is the familiarity between Coach Collins and the Penn State program. But nonetheless field position will be of major importance in this game and really dictate who is going to be able to get points on the board. From all 4 major teams units, the ability to excel and not just get the job done will likely impact who wins the game.
Expect both teams to be aggressive and looking to make plays within their units. Expect Penn State to look to mimic Oregon’s success and produce some large returns that can impact the game. Boise State could look to play the flip side of things and impact kicks with pressure and force PSU into some unfavorable or potential mistake causing scenarios.
Wednesday, January 1st - Peach Bowl - 1:00pm
Texas vs. Arizona State
A lot of questions come into play with this game. How much will the extra game/time off affect the health of these two teams? But also matchup items such as how far the SEC/Big 10 perceived gap is from the ACC/Big 12. Continued representation and matchups will affect all viewers' bias moving forward and Arizona State as a really unique opportunity here to represent their conference.
The time of an ability for ASU to recover should come into play. Especially with the amount of momentum they gained through their beatdown conference championship victory. Paving the way for Cam Skattebo to open up the offense and attract attention for the passing game to be open and effective will be a key. Focus on the offensive line early for ASU.\
Here is OL Coach Saga Tuitele talking about the inside zone.
Establishing movement on the line of scrimmage could allow Kenny Dillingham and company to test the entire Texas defense in ways many other teams have not been able to get after them this season. The rushing attack will be the key here, slowing down the game and passing only when necessary has been the proven recipe against the Longhorns.
For Texas the emphasis has to be on the defensive backfield, restricting the receiving corp of ASU and limiting them so much the rest of the defense can handle the run game and restricting Skattebo.
Reading the tempo, and understanding the way they are being attacked from the safety position will be a major key. If Texas can stick in coverages that lend more favorable to bodies present in the run game the more likely they are to win this one with a large margin. With the highest coverage grade in all of P4,Coach Gideon will have them up to the challenge.
Wednesday, January 1st - Rose Bowl - 5:00pm
Ohio State vs Oregon
These are two of the most complete teams in the country. It was fitting that 1 point separated the two earlier this season and even more fitting that it was one tick of the clock that decided the outcome.
The key here is really in the hands of the offenses. These are some of the strongest defenses in the country both being graded in the top ten and separated by less than 2 grading points on PFF’s scale. But, this becomes especially important in the event OSU’s defense is producing the pressure like they did against Tennessee.
Here’s a concept that can become a focal point for the Ducks as explained by OC Will Stein.
Expects reliefs to be one of the most utilized weapons for Dillon Gabriel in the game and to be some of the most developed and practiced items this week for the Ducks. With OSU coming off their second best pass rush performance this season there will be items schemed to delay the rush or provide outlets for the passing game.
Oregon put up a relatively similar game defensively against Ohio State in the last matchup. But has caught some steam of their own producing a 10 sack outing in their final regular season game. Oregon will have to pick and choose this game and play very strategically with threats like Jeremiah Smith and Treveyon Henderson available on the ground and through the air coming off impressive performances.
The OSU line has dealt with injuries all year, but looked dominant in round one. Here is OL Coach Justin Frye on OL Progression…
Progression Teaching For Your O-Line — Film/Technique/Scheme - Justin Frye
It is really going to play into the hands of the Ohio State offensive line and Coach Frye’s ability to adapt as well as establish their own pace and move the Oregon defense. The more comfortable Will Howard can be and the expanded ability for the offense to integrate and attack through air and ground via complementary schemes the more successful the Buckeye team will be.
Wednesday, January 1st - Sugar Bowl - 8:45pm
Notre Dame vs Georgia
These two teams know they are solid on defense from Kirby Smart to Al Golden there are some powerhouse defensive names on the sidelines and are both ranked highly in the country defensively. The question marks of what each offense is going to bring to this game is what leaves everyone unsure of the result.
Notre Dame has played well this season boasting a top 10 offensive grade via PFF, but many spectators bring the argument of strength of schedule between these two teams. Can Riley Leonard get out of the gate early, get a multitude of weapons incorporated and take care of the ball?
OC Mike Denbrock will utilize RPO to help the Irish’s attack He explains an RPO here..
Giving yourself some help in disguise the movement not only allows you to keep the playbook small while adding wrinkles for the defense to prepare for but, it also aids in opening up your options. In the ND offense coach Coach Denbrock highlights the ability of the QB to factor in on all RPOs and really become a triple option of sorts and an extra man for UGA to defend. Expect to see some of Leonard’s athletic ability on display.
For Georgia we have seen their ability to win in spite of QB play this season. But, we know that this also hinges on the ability of the RB’s to put up big numbers on the ground. This largely is due to the play of their offensive line and that rings true again here as Gunner Stockton makes his first career start.
As with everything, it will start with the guys upfront who played with tremendous effort in the SEC championship. Coach Stacy Searels shares their drill work here…
Drill Tape - T-Boards / Punch Away / AB
Bring it back to the basics and watch as Georgia will likely look to pave a way for Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier. This game is really going to hinge on if Georgia can bulldoze the Irish defense or if they are going to be able to dig in and hold their ground. The more passing situations the Irish can force, the more likely they are to create favorable matchups and force mistakes from Georgia’s young QB.
Enoy the games and we wish you well for 2025. Happy New Year!
Coach Grabowski, Coach Kauffman and the CoachesClinic Team
P.S.
Bundles and Presentations of all of the College Football Playoff teams are available here.