Notre Dame vs Penn State, Ohio State vs Texas: CFP Semifinal Expert Predictions

Originally posted on College Football News | Last updated Jan 9, 2025 3:59 PM ET

Normally, we'd be talking about the upcoming College Football Playoff National Championship right about now. Instead it's CFP Semifinal time, and these two games should be terrific (fingers crossed).

Notre Dame and Penn State go at it in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night, Ohio State and Texas are firing it up on Friday night, and then the two winners are off to Atlanta to play for the whole thing on January 20th.

Our College Football News expert types weigh in on who they think will win each CFP semifinal.

Notre Dame vs Penn State Orange Bowl Expert Picks

Line: Notre Dame -1
- CFN Notre Dame vs Penn State Game Preview, Prediction
10 Reasons Why Penn State Will Win
10 Reasons Why Notre Dame Will Win

Big Game Ben, CFN
Notre Dame

E, CFN
Notre Dame

Nathan Erbach, ND on SI
Notre Dame

Pete Fiutak, CFN
Penn State

John Kennedy, ND on SI
Notre Dame

Andrew Margolick, CFN
Penn State

Jeremy Mauss, KSL Sports
Notre Dame

Doug Millen, CFN
Penn State

Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire.com
Notre Dame

Nick Shepkowski, ND on SI
Notre Dame

Jake Margolick, CFN
Notre Dame

Clucko the Chicken (a coin flip)
Penn State

CONSENSUS PICK
Notre Dame

Ohio State vs Texas Cotton Bowl Expert Picks

Line: Ohio State -6
- CFN Ohio State vs Texas Game Preview, Prediction

Big Game Ben, CFN
Notre Dame

E, CFN
Notre Dame

Nathan Erbach, ND on SI
Notre Dame

Pete Fiutak, CFN
Penn State

John Kennedy, ND on SI
Notre Dame

Andrew Margolick, CFN
Penn State

Jeremy Mauss, KSL Sports
Notre Dame

Doug Millen, CFN
Penn State

Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire.com
Notre Dame

Nick Shepkowski, ND on SI
Notre Dame

Jake Margolick, CFN
Notre Dame

Clucko the Chicken (a coin flip)
Penn State

CONSENSUS PICK
Notre Dame