CFP Bracket Picks: Predicting the Semifinals & Championship Game Based on ESPN’s FPI Rankings

National Championship: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Ohio State runs the table.

FPI Rank: Ohio State 1 | Notre Dame 3

No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions

Record: 13-2 | Football Power Index: 21.3 | FPI Rank: 7
Projected Wins: 13.4 | Win Out: 42%
Make National Championship: 40.3% | Win National Championship: 15.6%

CFP Results:
Won First Round 38-10 vs. SMU
Won Quarterfinals 31-14 vs. Boise State

Semifinal Game:
Orange Bowl vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
January 9 | 7:30 PM ET | ESPN

Notre Dame vs. Penn St. CFP Preview & Picks

Penn State Odds:
Penn State Spread:+2.5 | Moneyline: +112 | Total: 44.5
CFB Championship Winner: +500

No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Record: 13-1 | Football Power Index: 25.7 | FPI Rank: 3
Projected Wins: 13.6 | Win Out: 58.1%
Make National Championship: 59.7% | Win National Championship: 29.1%

CFP Results:
Won First Round 27-17 vs. Indiana
Won Quarterfinals 23-10 vs. Georgia

Semifinal Game:
Orange Bowl vs. No. 6 Penn State | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)

January 9 | 7:30 PM ET | ESPN

Notre Dame vs. Penn St. CFP Preview & Picks

Notre Dame Odds:
Notre Dame Spread:-2.5 | Moneyline: -134| Total: 44.5
CFB Championship Winner: +410

No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 12-2 | Football Power Index: 26.8 | FPI Rank: 1
Projected Wins: 12.5 | Win Out: 49.7%
Make National Championship: 49.9 | Win National Championship: 28.4%

CFP Results:
Won First Round 42-17 vs. Tennessee
Won Quarterfinals 41-21 vs. Oregon

Semifinal Game:
Cotton Bowl vs. No. 5 Texas | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
January 10 | 7:30 PM ET | ESPN

Ohio St. vs. Texas CFB Preview & Picks

Ohio State Odds:
Ohio State Spread: -5.5 | Moneyline: -235 | Total:  53.5
CFB Championship Winner: -120

Semifinal Matchup: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Texas

Ohio State knocks off Texas.

FPI Rank: Ohio State 1 | Texas 2

Semifinal Matchup: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 Penn State

Notre Dame keeps on rolling.

FPI Rank: Notre Dame 3 | Penn State 7

National Championship: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Ohio State runs the table.

FPI Rank: Ohio State 1 | Notre Dame 3