1. (4) Oklahoma Sooners at (1) Alabama Crimson Tide– If you like offense and quarterback play, this is going to be the game for you. These have been the two best at their position in the country all season long and we will get to see Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray square off. Oklahoma is back in the playoff for the third time and the second consecutive year after a thrilling game in Pasadena against Georgia. Alabama enters once again as the defending champions and the favorite to win it all. I’m expecting to see a ton of points scored in this one. This game will be like a can of alphabet soup without the letter d so don’t expect to see defense played in this one. This game will also feature one of the greatest coaches in Nick Saban against the young Lincoln Riley.
2. (3) Notre Dame Fighting Irish at (2) Clemson Tigers– This is the one that’s really captured my attention. Both these teams made changes at quarterback and have benefitted greatly from the decisions. Trevor Lawrence has been as good as advertised for the Clemson Tigers and he’s been more consistent than Kelly Bryant which is why Dabo Swinney made the quarterback change. The Clemson defense has been on a tear to end the season and this is where they can shine even more. I can truly sit here and say if Brandon Wimbush is still the starting quarterback for the Irish, Brian Kelly and the Irish aren’t in this position and they’d be playing in a New Year’s Six Bowl and not in the playoffs. Ian Book came in at the right time and gave them the jolt they were missing on offense. I can’t wait to see how this game will unfold.
