Today is a big day in the college football world.
We will all be tuned in for two of the biggest college football games of the year as participants for the CFP National Championship will be determined. With No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 4 Oklahoma, the CFP Selection Committee has set up the potential for instant classics in its semifinals.
Each of the last four College Football Playoffs has given us memories that have forever defined the sport, from Ohio State’s win in 2014 to Tua Tagovailoa’s overtime game-winner a year ago, and given the quality of the participants, it seems certain we’ll have that again.
Will Oklahoma’s record-breaking offense triumph despite its record-breaking (for vastly different reasons) defense? Will Alabama and Clemson meet again? Will Notre Dame stun naysayers and be legitimate contenders in the field?
Notre Dame seems to be flying under the radar.
Alabama going wire-to-wire with the No. 1 ranking, Oklahoma’s record-setting offense and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Kyler Murray, and Clemson’s combination of a stellar defensive front and rising star at quarterback have stolen the spotlight from Notre Dame and its accomplishments this year. Throw in the experience all three have in the CFP, and Kelly understands why the Irish might be viewed as an outsider.
Reading between the lines, you can bet coach Brian Kelly intends to play the respect card at least a little bit. The three other teams in the field are viewed as college football powers, while the Irish are just two years removed from a 4-8 season.
Respect? Notre Dame will have to earn it this afternoon against Clemson in the Cotton Bowl, where the two teams are a combined 25-0 and have made changes at quarterback along the way.
This one will come down to which signal caller, Trevor Lawrence or Ian Book, can move the ball against two of the best defenses in the country.
I think this has the makings for an upset, but Clemson, a 13-point favorite, will find a way to win a close one.
In the Orange Bowl, Tagovailoa’s health remains one of the biggest talking points following his high ankle sprain against Georgia in the SEC title game.
Alabama is a two-touchdown favorite over Oklahoma and for good reason when you look at how dominant it has looked this season. But I think Murray and that Oklahoma offense keeps them in the game.
I think the Crimson Tide wins but pulls away late to reach the national championship game.
I’m not saying that Oklahoma wins the game outright, but this game could easily be closer than 14 points.
You can bet Nick Saban wants to show everyone that the wrong guy got the Heisman. I expect Tagovailoa to have a monster game against a porous OU defense as long as his ankle holds up.
The first half will be as advertised, with big plays in the passing game on both sides and a high-scoring first half that might make Alabama a little uncomfortable. The Crimson Tide, however, will settle in behind the running game in the second half. Damien Harris will break off a few big runs, and Alabama's defense will come up with a game-changer late in the third quarter. Alabama advances again, and Clemson-Alabama IV is on.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
