National Semi-finals will be close shaves for the winners…….

Irish and Buckeyes favored…..one will lose……

Notre Dame and Penn State in the Orange Bowl: 

I will stay with Penn State, the dog here, in a 27-24 upset.  Both teams are consistent in their play this season but the Irish had the worse loss of the final four teams, losing at home to Northern Illinois.  Penn State will be able to run the ball enough to control the clock and a late field goal gives them the win.

Texas and Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl: 

Ohio State will take this “road” win over the Horns, 41 to 38 in an exciting battle between the SEC and the B10.  I think both quarterbacks have shown that they can overcome mistakes but the supporting cast of the Buckeyes will prove enough to make the big plays in the end.  With Texas fans outnumbering Ohio State fans by 3 to 1, the Bucks overcome this trip to the Long Star state.