3:33 am | December 4, 2018 | Go to Source | Author: Alex Chippin
Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma secured the four College Football Playoff spots Sunday, awarding the quartet the opportunity to play for the national championship.
Oklahoma edged out Ohio State and Georgia for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Orange Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
The Orange Bowl will pit the two quarterbacks leading the Heisman Trophy race against one another, as Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa will square off against Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray.
Tagovailoa led the Crimson Tide to a perfect season, throwing for 3,353 yards with 37 touchdowns to four interceptions. Murray was equally dominant for the Sooners, tossing for 4,053 yards with 40 touchdowns and seven picks. Tagovailoa added five touchdowns on the ground, while Murray collected 11 rushing scores.
Both teams have explosive offenses, but Alabama holds a clear edge on defense. Oklahoma had one of the nation’s worst defenses this season, whereas Alabama – as per usual – ranked near the top of the FBS in most major defensive categories.
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
The Cotton Bowl features a pair of undefeated teams, as Clemson will meet Notre Dame. Coincidentally, it was the Fighting Irish that the Tigers narrowly defeated in 2015 to begin their national dominance.
Both Clemson and Notre Dame orchestrated a midseason quarterback change, as Clemson replaced Kelly Bryant with freshman Trevor Lawrence, while Notre Dame benched Brandon Wimbush for Ian Book.
Clemson’s defensive line had an advantage against every offense it played this season, and the foursome of Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, Dexter Lawrence, and Christian Wilkins will be favored once again versus Notre Dame.
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