Oh, my goodness! An especially tasty plate of pigskin is on America’s menu for New Year’s Day.
At about the same time that millions of Americans will be making New Year’s resolutions, four college football teams will have only one thing in mind–winning a national championship. And getting there starts Monday at the College Football Playoff national semi-finals.
Who will get into the final game? Here’s what I think.
#2 Oklahoma vs. #3 Georgia
The Sooners and Bulldogs square off in Pasadena in the first of the two semi-final games. I expect one team–Georgia–to be especially reared up and ready to go. The Bulldogs, who are seeking their first national title in nearly forty years, will enter the Rose Bowl with plenty of momentum after beating Auburn, 28-7, in the SEC championship game.
UGA’s Chubb (photo, TheDraftster)
Georgia loves to run the football. The Bulldogs are ranked sixth in the nation with 263.5 rushing yards per game with a ‘two-headed monster’ that is Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb has run for 1,175 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season, while Michel has accumulated 948 rushing yards and 13 scores on the year. Combine that epic duo with standout freshman quarterback Jake Fromm and you get a team that’s very difficult to slow down.
The Bulldogs are a very good defensive team, too. They yield just 13.2 points per game—good for fourth-best in the nation. The Sooners are nowhere near that good. They rank an abysmal 52nd in the country, giving up 25 points per game. That means the odds are this: Oklahoma will have a difficult time containing Chubb and Michel.
OU’s Mayfield (photo, USAToday)
But before you draw that conclusion as a certainty, consider the possibility that the Bulldog’s defense may meet its match in the form of the Sooners’ offense. Led by Heisman winner Baker Mayfield—a player who lacks neither confidence nor gumption—remains in the pocket even when there’s plenty of pressure around him.
He has success, too. Mayfield has completed 262-of-369 passes for a whopping 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns. About the only way to stop him is sacking him in the backfield. And that’s exactly what Georgia’s coach, Kirby Smart, hopes to do.
PREDICTION: The game will turn into an epic war between Georgia’s ground game and Oklahoma’s passing game. I think the Bulldogs will make timely stops late to emerge as the victors. Georgia 38, Oklahoma 31
#1 Clemson vs. # 4 Alabama
Last January 9 Clemson ruined Alabama’s chance for a perfect season and a national crown when the Tigers upset the Crimson Tide, 35-31. Alabama responded by going 11-0 this season before losing to rival Auburn, 26-14, in the final game of the regular season.
But the Crimson Tide still got a ticket to the CFP when the Selection Committee decided to give Alabama the nod over Big Ten Champion, Ohio State. Many still question whether that was the right call.
‘Bama’s Hurts (photo, The Sporting News)
It was the right choice IF the Alabama defense, which is as tough as a Griswolds’ Christmas turkey, plays up to its billing as the #1-ranked defense in the nation. Alabama yields just 258 yards and 11.5 points on average per game.
Offensively ‘Bama is led by dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts. The sophomore has completed 135-of-222 passes for 1,940 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 768 yards and eight scores. Calvin Ridley is Hurts’ #1 target with 55 catches for a team-high 896 yards and three touchdowns.
Clemson is led by quarterback Kelly Bryant, who has completed 246-of-362 passes for 2,678 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Tigers’ dual-threat quarterback has also rushed for 646 yards and 11 scores. The amazing thing is how well Bryant has done in succeeding the iconic Deshaun Watson.
Will Clemson repeat? (photo, College Football News)
The Tigers’ defense is stout, too. Clemson allows an average of just 12.8 points per game and the Tigers have given up more than 20 just three times this season.
The key for both teams is to stay calm and not get too caught up in what is sure to be a WILD atmosphere. Just think about it. It’s a national championship rematch being played in one of the biggest party cities in the world! To say the butterflies will be flying is an understatement, especially for players—like Alabama’s Jalen Hurts—who has yet to celebrate his 20th birthday.
PREDICTION: Alabama and Clemson will engage in a slug-it-out defensive affair until Hurts and the Tide pull away in the final quarter. Turnovers will be critical in this game, too. The team that wins the turnover battle will win the football game. Point blank. Alabama 27, Clemson 17
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PERSONAL NOTE: I’d like to wish everyone joy this holiday season! Let me offer a special holiday thanks to my readers—every week and occasional readers— because my column wouldn’t have a purpose without you. Please feel free to e-mail me at cameron.brown288@topper.wku.edu if you have topics that you’d like to see discussed in the future.
One final thought…. While the holiday season is a time to sit down, relax, and enjoy some good ball games, it’s also important to spend quality time with family and other loved ones.
Happy New Year!
