Rematches, underdogs and chaotic teams -- We've got it all in this CFP first round

"The first round of last year's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff was memorable primarily for the otherworldly atmospheres -- and, consequently, home-field advantages -- it produced. Notre Dame Stadium levitated as Jeremiyah Love raced 98 yards for an early touchdown against Indiana. SMU's Kevin Jennings had to call timeout because he couldn't hear at Penn State's Beaver Stadium, then the crowd got even louder and he threw a pick-six. The four home teams were favored by an average of 8.8 points but won by an average of 19.3."

"The second-ever first round gives us four more celebrated home crowds to put on display. Granted, close games are even better advertisements for the sport, but we might get a couple of those this time around, too. Let's see what script the sport writes this time around. CFP projections We head into the CFP with two clear favorites, a spicy No. 3 and a few others with a puncher's chance at the title."

"While coaching changes have been a big theme in the run-up -- Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin (LSU), Tulane's Jon Sumrall (Florida) and James Madison's Bob Chesney (UCLA) have all taken other jobs, as have Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein (Kentucky head coach), defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi (Cal) and Texas A&M's OC Collin Klein (Kansas State) -- only Kiffin won't be coaching in the first round, and I don't want to exhaust myself speculating on the potent"

South Bend, State College, Austin and Columbus delivered extraordinary atmospheres and pronounced home-field advantages during last year's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff first round. Memorable moments included a 98-yard touchdown by Jeremiyah Love and a communication breakdown for SMU at Penn State that led to a pick-six. Home teams were favored by an average of 8.8 points yet won by an average of 19.3. The upcoming first round highlights Norman, College Station, Oxford and Eugene, features two projected tight games and two underdog upset bids, and arrives amid notable coaching changes that affect staff availability and matchups.

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