College Football Playoff
College Football Playoff Semifinal at The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Jan. 1, 4 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN App
With the versatility of Alabama’s offense I find it hard anyone is going to stop them, especially a Notre Dame defense that surrendered 34 points in a blowout loss to Clemson. Notre Dame’s offense has to continually answer Alabama’s offense and it is hard to believe they will be able to respond every time. Projected Score: Alabama 52, Notre Dame 17
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Ohio State
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
Jan. 1, 8 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN App
Clemson had its first complete performance of the year in their revenge game win over then no. 2 ranked Notre Dame in the ACC Championship. Ohio State comes in after barely beating Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship. Anyway, in a rematch of last year’s playoff semifinal Trevor Lawrence outdoes Justin Fields and Clemson beats Ohio State for a second straight season to get a third berth in as many years in the national championship. Projected Score: Clemson 45, Ohio State 41
New Year’s Six
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Oklahoma vs. Florida
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Dec. 31, 8 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN App
Whether anyone likes it or not this game will be determined by the QBs and defenses. Florida QB Kyle Trask has been everyone’s Heisman pick for much of the season, while after a so-so start, Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler has been awesome for the Sooners. Known for their defense most of the time, Florida’s unit is not even an average group much of the sport’s media would say, it cost Florida a shot at the CFP. But, known for its historically bad defense the past few seasons, Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch has turned the ship around on that side of the ball for the Sooners. Projected Score: Florida 38, Oklahoma 31
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Georgia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Jan. 1, 12 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN App
Many say, Georgia will dominate top group of five team Cincinnati. And, they could be right. Georgia has been terrific on that side of the ball with QB JT Daniels starting their last three games. But, maybe this Cincinnati defense can make plays to make it harder for Daniels and the rest of their offense. Projected Score: Georgia 45, Cincinnati 31
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Oregon vs. Iowa State
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
Jan. 2, 4 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN App
Oregon was not even supposed to be in the Pac-12 Championship game on December 18. They lucked out as Pac-12 North division winner Washington was dealing with COVID-19 issues. So the second place team went in there and dominated top fifteen ranked USC on the defensive side of the ball. Iowa State lost its first game since an opening weekend upset loss to Louisiana. Iowa State’s talented backfield Brock Purdy (quarterback) and Breece Hall (running back) should be the difference in the game. Projected Score: Iowa State 34, Oregon 20
Capital One Orange Bowl
Texas A&M vs. North Carolina
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Jan. 2, 8 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN App
North Carolina should have a pretty decent chance in this game. But, with all of the opt outs for their bowl game, a hungry Texas A&M team led by veteran QB Kellen Mond and a stingy defense, Texas A&M has no reason to lose this game. Projected Score: Texas A&M 49, North Carolina 38
