This first-year twelve-team playoff started with a dozen teams, and now the final four—Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas, and Ohio State—have clinched their spots in the semifinals.
All four teams will battle it out for a spot in the title game this Thursday and Friday.
Penn State will host Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, while Texas will play host to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
While these matchups are not what most expected, they’re nonetheless intriguing.
Orange Bowl breakdown–
Penn St. vs. Notre Dame could potentially be a defensive slugfest, as both teams do not give up many yards. Meanwhile, Texas vs. Ohio State could be a shootout, with the firepower in both teams’ offenses.
The Nittany Lions only have two loses, both really close games to Ohio State and Oregon in the B1G title game. For the most part, they have relied on great QB play from Drew Allar. The junior has compiled 3,192 yards, 24 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions. And to compliment Allar, junior backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen have totaled 2041 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns between them. Together, they have set the tone for all season for the Nittany Lion offense.
For the Fighting Irish, they have been a totally different team since their lost to Nothern Illinois. Whatever head coach Marcus Freeman told this team after their loss to NIU, they have responded with ruthless aggression. Since that loss in week two, the Irish are averaging on offense 37.7 points a game and only giving up on average 13.6 points on defense.
Keys to the game: For Penn State, stick to your rush attack but give Allar time to make some throws to keep the Irish D honest. For Notre Dame, let Quarterback Riley Lenaord be who he is and make plays with his feet.
Cotton bowl breakdown –
Ohio State and Texas don’t play each other often. The last time both teams squared off was in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl which resulted in a Longhorn victory. For this year’s contest, both teams share many similar qualities- both teams have a high-powered offense that can score at will, but the difference comes in how they attain it.
For the Longhorns, head coach Steve Sarkisian has all the tools at his arsenal- a prolific passer in Quinn Ewers, a bell cow running back in Quin Trevion Wisner, and all-American receivers in Matthew Golden, Ryan Wingo, and Isiah Bond. Together, they make up one of the most prolific offenses in the country. However, for the first time in two decades, the Longhorns have a stellar defense to complement their offense. So far this season, the Longhorn D is giving up 17 points a game. They’re very fast up front and have totaled 44 sacks so far this season.
Up in Columbus, Ryan Day has assembled the best transfers from the portal during the offseason- Quahshawn Junkins (Ole Miss), Caleb Downs (Alabama), and Will Howard (Kansas St). Not only that, but he also has one of the best freshman wide receivers in the country- Jerimiah Smith. Minus two close losses to Oregon and Michigan, these players have made a huge difference for coach Day and the Buckeyes this season.
For this matchup, the Buckeyes have to protect Will Howard. The Longhorns have the nation’s best defense, and they will be bringing pressure most of the game. And for Texas, stick to your guns- run the ball effectively and let Quinn connect with some deep passes.
Both of these games should be entertaining and should have solid finishes. Whether you’re a fan of these schools or not, I think we’re all in for a treat.
The Orange Bowl is this Thursday, 1/9 at 7:30 on ESPN.
The Cotton Bowl is this Friday, 1/10 at 7:30 on ESPN.
JDubb's Sideline Report 