‘Plain-wrapper guy’ Gunner Stockton suddenly carrying Georgia’s CFP hopes Quarterback Gunner Stockton might not have the flash of Carson Beck, but he has a Bulldogs’ pedigree.

CFP viewership topped by Saturday NFL games College football’s 12-team playoff rollout was spoiled by the NFL, with the Texans-Chiefs getting 15.5 million viewers while the SMU-Penn State game averaged 6.4 million. The Steelers-Ravens game drew 15.4 million viewers to Clemson-Texas’ 8.6 million.

From walk-on to CFP standout, Michael Taaffe has keyed Texas’ turnaround on defense Walk-ons could become a thing of the past, but the Longhorns might not be in the playoff without theirs.

Notre Dame star lineman Mills (knee) out of CFP A Notre Dame defense that has overcome key injuries all season must do so again as standout defensive lineman Rylie Mills will miss the remainder of the College Football Playoff with a right knee injury.

Texas aces challenge as RBs explode in CFP win Powered by Jaydon Blue, Texas ran for a season-high 292 yards in a 38-24 win over Clemson, advancing to the CFP quarterfinal against Arizona State.

CFP quarterfinal first look: X factors, key players and how each team can win Here’s how each team can win its quarterfinal game, plus key players, X factors and what we learned from the first round.

Irish ‘cherish’ historic win to kick off new CFP era Notre Dame kicked off the 12-team playoff era with its first playoff win, a 27-17 victory over Indiana on Friday night.

Sources: Georgia preparing for CFP without Beck Georgia is preparing to play the College Football Playoff without starting quarterback Carson Beck, who is exploring surgery options on his injured elbow, according to sources.

CFP betting storylines: Public heavily invested in Ohio State David Purdum examines the top betting storylines to know ahead of the first round.

PSU backup Pribula skipping CFP, entering portal Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula is set to enter the transfer portal and leave the team ahead of the College Football Playoff, citing an “overlapping CFB playoff and transfer portal timeline.”

RB Love among Irish starters healthy for CFP Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman says defensive lineman Howard Cross III is set to play for the first time since early November and running back Jeremiyah Love avoided a serious injury in the regular-season finale at USC.

Tide AD to reevaluate scheduling after CFP snub Alabama AD Greg Byrne said he would need to assess his nonconference scheduling philosophy moving forward after being left out of the College Football Playoff field.

Home teams highly favored in CFP first round All four higher-seeded home teams opened as touchdown or greater favorites for the first round of the inaugural 12-team CFP, according to ESPN BET odds.

SMU in, but Bama, Miami out in CFP field reveal Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, Arizona State, Clemson, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana and SMU made the College Football Playoff.

Clemson lands CFP spot on walk-off 56-yard FG Nolan Hauser sent Clemson to the College Football Playoff with a dramatic 56-yard field goal as time expired, as the Tigers beat SMU 34-31 in the ACC title game.

SMU’s Lashlee: No. 8 ranking affirms CFP inclusion SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said Friday the Mustangs’ No. 8 placement in the latest College Football Playoff rankings is the reason they should make the 12-team field, no matter what happens in the ACC championship game.

Jeanty, Boise top UNLV to nab MWC title, CFP spot Ashton Jeanty ran for 209 yards and a touchdown and No. 10 Boise State earned a College Football Playoff spot, beating No. 19 UNLV 21-7 on Friday night for its second straight Mountain West title.

Follow live: UNLV, Boise State square off for MWC title, CFP berth null

Big 12’s Yormark: CFP favoring ‘logos vs. résumés’ Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark clearly expressed his displeasure about the College Football Playoff rankings while insisting Wednesday that his conference’s champion should get a first-round bye over any Group of Five champion.

‘Stay off my lawn’: ISU, SMU ADs trade CFP barbs Athletic directors at Iowa State and SMU are in a turf war over the latest College Football Playoff rankings, leading to a “stay off my lawn” moment on social media.