Following our 5-0 ATS run on Picks and Opinions in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, I chip-in semifinal coverage of the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl ahead of the National Championship Game Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Penn State vs. Notre Dame kicks off the semi's Jan. 9 in Miami for the Orange Bowl, and Jan. 10 it's Ohio State vs. Texas in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, TX. 

Check out my initial Orange Bowl coverage and update in Forbes for Penn State-Notre Dame. I'll add more here, along with additional updates on the Cotton Bowl matchup ahead of Friday, Jan. 10 kickoff. 

ESPN GameDay is also in Miami for the Cotton Bowl.

College Football Playoff Semifinal Odds

College football odds from BetOnline and leading online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. All times Eastern (ET) and betting favorites (-) listed. For bettors interested in reduced juice sportsbook options, checkout BetAnySports and Heritage Sports, which also offers cash back bonuses getting the 'most squeeze for your juice." 

- No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame (-1), total 45.5 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State (-6), total 53.5 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Interesting to note that while offense sells tickets, makes highlights and replays, and is more often referenced for statistics, the four teams in the CFP semi's are all defensive dominators. I've updated the stats below from initally posting.

College Football Playoff Semis splits

Notre Dame (-2) vs Penn State
59% $ & 66% tickets on Irish

Ohio State (-5.5) vs Texas
$$$ = 50/50; 76% tickets on Buckeyes

— Dave Mason (@DaveMasonBOL) January 7, 2025

Orange Bowl

Penn State - Notre Dame 

PPG - points per game, YPG - yards per game, YPPL - yards per play, RYPG - rushing yds per game

Penn State - Defense 15.8 PPG, 289 YPG, 4.5 YPPL, 101 rushing YPG
Notre Dame - Defense 13.6 PPG, 295 YPG, 4.4 YPPL, 128 rushing YPG

Penn State - Offense 33.7 PPG, 436 YPG, 6.5 YPPL, 202 rushing YPG
Notre Dame - Offense 37.7 PPG, 407 YPG, 6.3 YPPL 217 rushing YPG

See my Orange Bowl coverage in Forbes for more stats and information you can bet on. 

Opinion: Penn State
Pick: Under

Cotton Bowl

Ohio State - Texas 

Ohio State - Defense 12.1 PPG, 278 YPG, 3.9 YPPL, 92 rushing YPG  
Texas - Defense 14.5 PPG, 278 YPG, 4.1 YPPL, 112 rushing YPG 

Ohio State - Offense 36.4 PPG, 432 YPG, 6.9 YPPL, 169 rushing YPG
Texas - Offense 34.3 PPG, 444 YPG, 6.1 YPPL, 166 rushing YPG

Opinion: Under 

Note that Ohio State allowed an average of just 266 YPG to Tennessee and Oregon in their two CFP victories. The Buckeyes held every opponent except No. 1 Oregon to 17 points or less this season including bowls. Texas' twisting and stunting 2-4-5 scheme dominated nearly all regular season opponents other than Georgia, but held the Bulldogs to 16 points in regulation in the SEC Championship Game. Two CFP contests has seen Texas allow 24 points in regulation to Clemson and Arizona State.  

Check back for more Cotton Bowl coverage and any additional Picks/Opinions ahead of Jan. 10 kickoff. 

Review more betting strategies and tips for college football bowls that have assisted me in strong bowl season during our pre-Christmas bowls and post-Christmas bowls Picks, Opinions and Leans including 5-0 ATS on College Football Playoff quarterfinals Picks and Opinions. 

BetOnline provides added player props, odds boosts and live betting, in addition to the best odds for pointspreads and total. Halftime betting is available as you enjoy more watch and wager action. Every day of the week, BetOnline customers can get greatly enhanced payouts on pre-selected parlays with Odds Booster. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and loves college football. He's been handicapping and betting college football for more than two decades and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports and betting insights.