The revamped College Football Playoff begins with first-round games taking place Friday and Saturday

The GIST: At long last, the expanded 12-team CFP makes its debut this weekend, with first-round games kicking off tonight and tomorrow. Four squads earned byes straight to the second round and await the winners of these initial clashes. Let’s do this.

No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET — ABC: Friday night lights will shine bright for this in-state battle between the Hoosiers and the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame has all the football history with 11 national titles, while the 10-1 Hoosiers burst onto the scene this season thanks to AP Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti. These opponents are as evenly matched as they come — truly anything could happen.

No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State — Tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET — TNT: SMU snuck into the CFP as the last team to earn a bid, and they’ll need to prove they belong against powerhouse Penn State — and the cold Pennsylvania weather. Not to mention, the Nittany Lions boast one of the country’s top tight ends in senior Tyler Warren, who has 1,062 receiving yards on the season.

No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas — Tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET — TNT: Despite their three regular-season losses, Clemson made the CFP by winning the ACC Championship. Plus, they’ve lost only once in December under HC Dabo Swinney (!!!). The Tigers are playing with house money, but they’ll have to go all in to defeat Texas and junior QB Quinn Ewers.

No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET — ABC: The Buckeyes allow a mere 10.9 points per game, the best mark in the country. Can the Vols, led by junior running back Dylan Sampson and his ninth-most rushing yards in the country, overcome that stout D and sprint their way to the second round?