We made it. Thankfully, we haven’t suffered through a normal bowl season due to the number of teams opting out. Outside of Coastal Carolina-Liberty, there hasn’t been much to remember from this bowl season. However, we finally get the CFP Semifinals on New Years Day. Let’s see what we have here.

#2 Clemson vs #3 Ohio State

This is deja vu. On one hand, we get a rematch of last year! On the other, there’s no way this game can be good as the one we had last year. The fast start from Ohio State, Trevor Lawrence literally putting the Tigers on his back, and lastly the unforgettable fourth quarter. You know Justin Fields hasn’t forgotten that interception in the end zone. Can he redeem himself? Let’s examine.

This is going to be another fantastic dual of quarterbacks. We saw how much of a difference Trevor Lawrence makes to the Clemson program with the stomping of Notre Dame in the ACC Championship. Outside of his stellar 22-4 TD-INT and his nearly 10.0 YPA, his legs are what really made the difference these last two seasons. Just ask the Buckeyes what they thought when they chased him on that 67-yard touchdown run last year. 

Lawrence carries the ball when his team needs it the most. In the ACC Championship game vs Notre Dame, he torched the Irish on the ground for 90 yards on 14 carries. His previous season-high was just 41 yards. He ran for 107 yards against the Buckeyes last year.

Containing Lawrence and Travis Etienne are going to be the key. When both of them are clicking, Clemson is almost impossible to stop. Etienne averaged under 2 YPC in the first game vs Notre Dame. In the rematch? Over 12 YPC. Pretty strong correlation there.

The Buckeyes have been really stout against the run this season, a top-ten unit in yards/game. It’s through the air the Buckeyes have struggled at times this year, ranking in the bottom third of yards allowed(261.3). That’s with All-American corner Shaun Wade, who was ejected on a controversial targeting call the last time the two played.

I expect Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell to have plenty of opportunities through the air, and watch out for Etienne out of the backfield too. He scored the go-ahead touchdown on a pretty play design through the air last year.

The biggest question of this game is how will Justin Fields’ thumb injury affect him? We saw what it did in the Big Ten title game, he was an erratic 11/27 with two interceptions, probably the worst game he’s played as a Buckeye. He dismissed all concern for his injury saying he would be ready to go, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Fields threw two of three interceptions for the season against this Clemson defense last year, and the Tigers will be ready to pounce again if Fields has an off day. If Fields is on, only the guy wearing #16 on the other side is as electric through the air.

We saw what a healthy Clemson defense did to Notre Dame, totally stuffing the Irish for four quarters, and unlike the Buckeyes defense, the pass defense is pretty darn good.

FIelds will get Chris Olave back for Friday’s showdown, he missed him sorely in the Big Ten title game. If you remember, it was a miscommunication between Olave and Fields that caused the junior quarterback to throw the game-ending interception last year. 

The run game will be alive and well for Ohio State. Trey Sermon carried the Buckeye offense with over 300 yards on the ground against Northwestern. Clemson has been stout against the run all season.

I really want this game to mirror last year, but we won’t get that lucky. The Buckeyes aren’t as good as last year and it will show on the field.

PREDICTION: CLEMSON 38 OHIO STATE 28

#1 Alabama vs #4 Notre Dame

I’m going to keep this one a little shorter than the other ones, I don’t think Notre Dame has a chance.

The #1 vs #4 has turned into an annual beatdown for whoever is lucky enough to snag that last playoff spot. I’m old enough to remember when the #4 seed won two of the first four CFP Titles (Ohio State in 2014 and Alabama in 2017). Since then, this has been nothing more than a routine slaughter. I’m not expecting anything different this year.

You cannot blame Notre Dame. I thought they were pretty clearly the fourth-best team in the country when it was all said and done, this is just more of the dominance at the top of college football with Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio State.

I have zero faith in any team to stop this Alabama offense. It doesn’t matter who the Crimson Tide have played, it hasn’t stopped Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith, and Najee Harris. How many more times will we see the best QB, RB, and WR all on the same team? Not often. The Tide offense was unstoppable against Florida. 50+ is expected every time this group gets on the field.

The Irish defense has been really good this year, led by All-American LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and safety Kyle Hamilton. They might get off to a hot start and perhaps force a turnover, as they did against Clemson in the ACC title game, but there’s too much firepower on that Alabama offense.

Ian Book might be able to find some holes on that Alabama defense. The Tide have looked vulnerable on defense at times this year, allowing 46 to Florida in the SEC Title Game and 48 to Ole Miss in October.  I would imagine Nick Saban has his defense a little more fired up after the way they were shredded in the second half against Kyle Trask.

Book will need to create some magic, and I just don’t think he can do it.

PREDICTION: ALABAMA 48 NOTRE DAME 14

Writer

-By: TJ Mathewson

Fiesta Bowl Recap: Clemson, Ohio State Clash in a Classic

If there were doubts that either Clemson or Ohio State had an artificially inflated record, those should have been put to rest tonight. In what was one of the most exciting semifinal games in college football history, the two undefeated teams clashed in an intense, back-and-forth affair that ended with a Clemson victory. 

Ohio State jumped out to an early lead, scoring 16 points in a row to open the game. That total likely could have been higher, but the Buckeyes went 0 for 3 in the red zone, the only touchdown coming on a 68-yard touchdown from JK Dobbins. These points would come back to bite them later, and the first momentum swing towards Clemson came on a targeting penalty that not only extended a drive but also caused defensive back Shaun Wade to be ejected. After the targeting penalty, what had been a fierce, aggressive and fast Ohio State defense became vulnerable, and a Clemson offense that couldn’t seem to find its footing suddenly came alive, with touchdowns coming off an eight-yard Travis Etienne run and a deflating, outlook-changing 67-yard Trevor Lawrence run.

The Tigers gained the lead on a touchdown pass in the third quarter to Travis Etienne. This was yet another drive that was extended by a penalty, with a roughing the kicker foul giving a stalled Clemson more life. The game went slowly from there until the fourth quarter, when a fourth-down touchdown pass to Chris Olave put the Buckeyes back in front. Ryan Day’s defense was then able to get a stop, but the offense couldn’t score to put the game away, giving Trevor Lawrence the ball back with around three minutes to go. He promptly led a touchdown drive with about 1:40 left, forcing Justin Fields to try to mount a drive to save the season. The Ohio State offense made progress, but an interception in the end zone ended the game. 

It was a brutal game, with multiple players leaving the field at different times due to injury. JK Dobbins, Jeff Okudah, Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross all left the game for different periods. It was also a game marked by mistakes, with the Buckeyes making mental mistakes and Clemson’s more disciplined team taking full advantage. Both teams will likely be back next year, though, as both quarterbacks are returning for at least one more season before leaving for the draft. 

Clemson will play LSU in the national championship game on January 13th.

Game stats according to ESPN.com, game details verified by the same and ESPN’s play-by-play log.

-By: Alex Spieldenner

Writer/Interviewer

College Football Playoff Preview: Fiesta Bowl Ohio State- Clemson

Who’s ready for a party? The entire season of predictions, analysis, touchdowns, and interceptions has finally led to this: the College Football Playoff. Finally, we take steps towards finding out who the national champion will be. We reviewed the first semifinal game Here, but now we’re looking at the second semifinal game, the Fiesta Bowl. This game pits the only two non-Alabama national champions of the playoff era: #2 Ohio State and #3 Clemson. Who’s going to pull off the victory? Let’s look closer to try to find out.

#2 Ohio State

Preseason Preview: Ohio State

How They Got Here: Ohio State hasn’t been beaten, and has rarely been tested all season. They have yet to win a game by less than 11, and have beaten 3 top-15 teams (one, #8 Wisconsin, twice) on their way to a Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes feature a defense that has allowed the fewest yards per play in the nation and an offense that is fifth in yards per play in the country. Both sides are led by Heisman finalists, as the defense features DE Chase Young while the offense is led by QB Justin Fields. Young has slowed down a bit down the stretch, but still had 16.5 sacks. Fields, on the other hand, had under 3000 yards but scored 50 touchdowns through the air and on the ground while only throwing one interception. Meanwhile, they have one of the best cornerbacks in the country in Jeff Okudah and a running back in J.K. Dobbins who has amassed over 2000 yards from scrimmage. The team is loaded with talent, and despite a hiccup in the first half against Wisconsin has largely looked dominant.

Biggest Weakness: There have been a few games this season where Ohio State has been shaky early on, specifically in the Big Ten Championship and again against Penn State. In the Penn State game particularly, they were foiled a few times by turnovers that gave the Nittany Lions a chance to score easily. Though the Buckeyes were able to recover in both instances, they may not be able to overcome a key turnover and a slow start against a team like Clemson. This team also lacks experience with both adversity and postseason play. That may have an effect against a team that has dealt with both in the Tigers. 

Injury Concerns: Justin Fields has had a balky knee for several weeks now, and just recently said in a press conference that it was “80 to 85 percent.” While it hasn’t exactly stopped him, a bad hit or an awkward fall could create a disaster scenario for the Buckeyes. 

Ohio State wins if: J.K. Dobbins gets going early, Fields is his usual efficient self and the defense plays like one of the best in the country. This is a team without many weaknesses and it should come in confident.

#3 Clemson

Preseason Preview: Clemson

How They Got Here: The Tigers have been on a mission to defend their national title, and rolled through a relatively easy schedule to the ACC Championship. They had one difficult week against a North Carolina team that surprised some people, but overall they have had a somewhat uneventful season. That doesn’t mean that the team isn’t one to get excited about, though. Trevor Lawrence, while not the Heisman finalist he was expected to be primarily due to a rough beginning to the season, has still had a good year, albeit with a few more interceptions than Clemson fans are comfortable with. Travis Etienne, though, has been phenomenal. He is tied for the lead in rushing yards per attempt at 8.2, which has added up to a stellar 1500 rushing yards on the year. And remember how I said that Ohio State has one of the best defenses in the country? Clemson might have a better one: the Tigers have allowed both fewer points and fewer yards per game. The difference is small and the Buckeyes have played better teams, but at the very least Clemson’s defense is no liability. 

Biggest Weakness: Clemson has two talented receivers in Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross, but Higgins has only good numbers and Ross’ numbers have been a bit disappointing this year. Against a secondary like Ohio State’s, Clemson’s lack of a true superstar wideout could make things rather difficult if Etienne is slowed down. 

Injury Concerns: Clemson is remarkably healthy, and nobody who was a big contributor this season is currently hurt. 

Clemson wins if: Trevor Lawrence has a nice game and Etienne has a huge one. Right now it seems that Ohio State actually has the advantage in offense and the defensive side is probably a split, but if Clemson’s major playmakers can create some major plays, it might be enough for the Tigers to move on. 

My prediction: Ohio State has looked virtually unbeatable in every game but one, and that was in their second game against the Badgers. As long as the moment doesn’t become too big, they should come away with a victory. Ohio State 35, Clemson 28. 

All statistics, game information and injury information is according to sports-reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

-By: Alex Spieldenner

Writer/Interviewer