CFP Bracket Picks: Predicting the Semifinals & Championship Games Based on Strength of Record

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

Notre Dame finishes the job over Ohio State.

Strength of Record: Notre Dame 3 | Ohio State 4

No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions

Record: 13-2 | Strength of Record: 6
FPI Rank: 7 | CFP Rank: 4 | Strength of Schedule: 17
Game Control Rank: 9 | Average In-Game Win Probability Rank: 11

Best Regular Season Wins:
21-7 vs. Illinois
28-18 at Wisconsin

Regular Season Losses:
20-13 vs. Ohio State
45-37 vs. Oregon

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 | Strength of Record: 3
FPI Rank: 3 | CFP Rank: 5 | Strength of Schedule: 31
Game Control Rank: 3 | Average In-Game Win Probability Rank: 1

Best Regular Season Wins:
23-13 at Texas A&M
31-24 vs. Louisville

Regular Season Losses:
16-14 vs. NIU

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 | Strength of Record: 4
FPI Rank: 1 | CFP Rank: 4 | Strength of Schedule: 8
Game Control Rank: 1 | Average In-Game Win Probability Rank: 4

Best Regular Season Wins:
20-13 at Penn State
38-15 vs. Indiana

Regular Season Losses:
32-31 at Oregon
13-10 vs. Michigan

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 ER | 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 over Texas.

Strength of Record: Ohio State 4 | Texas 5

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

Notre Dame upsets Penn State.

Strength of Record: Notre Dame 3 | Penn State 6

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

Notre Dame finishes the job over Ohio State.

Strength of Record: Notre Dame 3 | Ohio State 4