This year's playoff will kick off at 4:00 PM central time in Arlington, Texas when Alabama takes on Notre Dame in the relocated Rose Bowl.

It will be a matchup of strength vs. strength, in that the Tide run the ball as effectively as anyone in the nation when they want to and the Irish are one of the better teams against the rush (13th in the Power 5). Notre Dame's hopes of an upset will hinge on the team's ability to contain Mac Jones, and the prolific aerial attack of the Crimson Tide which could be getting back receiver Jaylen Waddle for the contest, a future first round pick.

The Irish have had issues against the pass, as two-thirds of the yards they have surrendered over the course of the year have been through the air. Notre Dame will also have to find ways to match 'Bama on the scoreboard as well. The Crimson Tide are first among Power 5 schools (second in the nation) in scoring (49.7) while the Irish are twenty-second at a 35.2 clip.

The second contest, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans (7:00 PM), will feature Clemson and Ohio State in a rematch of last season's Fiesta Bowl, which saw Clemson move on to face LSU in the national title game. This go-round, Trevor Lawrence won't have to worry about two amazing Ohio State corners, as both Jeff Okuda and Damon Arnette were first round selections in the 2020 NFL draft back in April.

He will have to worry about the nation's top cornerback prospect, Shaun Wade roaming the Ohio State defensive backfield and possibly blanketing his top target, whether that is Amari Rodgers or E.J. Williams.

The extremely entertaining storyline will be Clemson running back Travis Etienne against the stout front of the Ohio State defense that was second-best in the Big 10 at stopping the run. Conversely, Clemson's secondary will be challenged by the array of receiving weapons that Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields works with that includes veterans Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Oklahoma State

Contributors

SUGGESTED COMMUNITIES

Facebook Comments