The most important people in CFP quarterfinals

Snoozefests plagued the first round of the College Football Playoff  but ultimately weeded out the pretenders while the contenders advanced to the next round.

As the quarterfinals approach, let’s examine the characters who could have the biggest impact on the games.

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State running back

The Heisman Trophy finalist will be well rested for what could be his final attempt at breaking Barry Sanders’ all-time season rushing record of 2,628 yards, set in 1988. Against Penn State’s stingy rush defense, Jeanty needs 132 yards rushing to pass Sanders. If Boise State — an 11-point underdog, per ESPN Bet — upsets the Nittany Lions, he’ll get two games to break the record.  

James Franklin, Penn State head coach

The Nittany Lions handled SMU in the first round, particularly on defense, and head coach James Franklin will need the same kind of performance to stop Jeanty and the Broncos offense.

“He’s one of the best running backs in the history of college football,” Franklin told reporters Sunday during media availability, via Mike Prater of 95.3 FM The Ticket.

How he plans for the ground-and-pound strategy Boise State will likely employ could make or break Penn State’s national title chase. Failing to advance through what was deemed an easy path to the semifinal will be a tough stain to get off Franklin’s resume if he cannot deliver.

Cam Skattebo, Arizona State running back

The Sacramento State transfer is tied for the school record for total touchdowns in a season and he’s got a great opportunity to break it at the Peach Bowl. He previously crowned himself the “best running back in the country” after ASU won the Big 12 title despite receiving no invite as a Heisman finalist. He’ll have a chance to prove it Wednesday. A win for the upstart Sun Devils will rely on getting Skattebo going early and often but if he’s stifled, it will be a long day for the ASU offense.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State head coach

Successfully deploying Skattebo will be a top priority for Dillingham. His game plans this season have been to score often but by bleeding clock with the effective running game in order to leave opponents with no recourse.

“Control what you can control,” he told reporters Dec. 16 shortly after finding out ASU’s spot in the 12-team bracket, via Blake Niemann of SunDevilSource.com.

Navigating the stout Texas defensive front will be the biggest puzzle for Dillingham to solve and if he can do so, the Sun Devils might be the most dangerous dark horse remaining in the bracket.

Quinn Ewers, Texas quarterback

Ewers has evinced some doubt from critics with his recent performances but in the first round against Clemson he put those concerns to rest with 202 yards and a touchdown. However, he’s thrown four interceptions in his last four games so there are vulnerabilities to be exploited. Ewers will need to be his vintage self if he wants to take advantage of an ASU secondary that can still bite the wanton passer. Getting his top receiver in Isaiah Bond back from injury could be just the confidence booster he needs to quash the inexperienced Sun Devils.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon quarterback

The Ducks and Buckeyes will get their long-awaited rematch on the game’s biggest stage in Pasadena, California. A Rose Bowl between the two teams can only be good for college football, and having a quarterback like Gabriel at the center of it will draw eyeballs galore. In the first meeting, the senior transfer put up an impressive 341 yards and two touchdowns in a dramatic 32-31 victory. The same kind of performance will be needed to ensure Ohio State cannot get its revenge.

Ryan Day, Ohio State head coach

Speaking of revenge, Day will need it in order to delay what feels like his inevitable dismissal by one more week. Four straight losses to rival Michigan and no Big Ten titles since 2020 is testing the patience of the fanbase and the administration. Day will be hoping his team can ride the momentum of its 42-17 thumping of Tennessee in the first round all the way to the Rose Bowl, an environment it’s accustomed to winning in. Ohio State and Oregon’s first and only meeting in Pasadena was a 26-17 victory for the Buckeyes in 2010.

Gunner Stockton, Georgia quarterback

Many, if not all, eyes will be on the Bulldogs’ backup passer with season-starter Carson Beck ruled out with an elbow injury and choosing to focus on his NFL future. Stockton stepped in to relieve Beck after his injury during the SEC Championship Game, throwing for just 71 yards and an interception in the 22-19 overtime win. He was sacked twice and will likely feel a lot of pressure from Notre Dame’s oppressive pass rush. Being able to manage the spotlight and every situation thrown at him in-game will be key to Georgia continuing its winning ways in the College Football Playoff.

Kirby Smart, Georgia head coach

The mastermind behind those winning ways has had ample time to adapt to a new offensive plan with the sudden quarterback change but whether it’s executed to successful ends is yet to be seen. Smart has proven with several different quarterbacks that he can win on the biggest stages.

“That kid played tough as nails,” Smart told reporters of Stockton’s performance after winning the SEC title game. “He’s a phenomenal leader, and I think everybody rose up around him.”

There’s no Alabama here this time to foil Smart’s efforts but Notre Dame cannot be underestimated. If Smart is truly to be Nick Saban’s replacement in the sport then the Sugar Bowl will be his first step toward cementing himself in that role.

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame quarterback

The one person who could spoil Smart’s ascension and Stockton’s meteoric rise is Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. The Fighting Irish’s only blemish on the year was a shocking 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2 but since then they’ve been winners of 11 straight, including a 27-17 dismantling of in-state foe Indiana in the first round. Leonard’s weakness, however, is in protecting the football. He’s turned the ball over six times through the air, half of those picks coming in his last four games. Leonard will need a near perfect performance to lead Notre Dame to one of the biggest postseason upsets in program history.