Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Familiar ring to playoff
Once again, ’Bama, Clemson looking like teams to beat
Be careful what you wish for, Oklahoma fans.
The Sooners (12-1) survived a spunky Texas team to claim an unprecedented fourth consecutive Big 12 title on Saturday.
On Sunday, they earned a spot in one of the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Sooners’ reward is a matchup against No. 1 Alabama (13-0) during the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29 at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Crimson Tide cruised through much of the 2018 season, overwhelming opponents at a record-breaking pace with an impressive offense that averaged close to 48 points per game.
The Tide are led by Tua Tagovailoa, the dualthreat Heisman hopeful quarterback, and a slew of talented skill position players, including five different receivers with at least 30 catches.
Alabama is an early two-touchdown favorite despite the fact coach Nick Saban said an MRI confirmed Tagovailoa suffered a high ankle sprain that could require a scope and take up to two weeks to heal.
Saban said Tagovailoa should be healthy by the time the Tide start bowl practices.
It’s grim news for an Oklahoma defense that’s had more bad reviews than an elementary school production of “Les Miserables.”
The Sooners rank No. 108 out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense, allowing 448 yards per game this season.
Alabama, meanwhile, has put up at least that many yards during 11 of its 13 games this season.
While stopping people on defense may be a problem, scoring enough points hasn’t been an issue for the Sooners.
Oklahoma leads the country in offense, averaging more than 577 yards per game this season thanks, in part, to the outstanding play of quarterback Kyler Murray.
Matt Murschel’s pick:
Alabama 35-30.
Clemson (13-0) is back in the playoff semifinals for the fourth consecutive year after the Tigers ran up, over and through a mediocre slate of teams in the ACC.
Dabo Swinney’s team has one of the most dominant defenses in the country, holding opponents to just under 14 points and 280 yards per game.
With a front defensive line made up of five potential NFL first-rounders, it’s easy to see why Clemson is second in the country in sacks (45).
The group will test Notre Dame (12-0), which earned its first trip to the four-team playoff. The Irish put together their best season since 2012 when the team played Alabama in the BCS national championship game.
Brian Kelly’s gamble to replace quarterback Brandon Wimbush three games into the season with Ian Book has paid off in a big way, with the offense taking flight under the junior’s guidance.
Much like with Alabama, Clemson opens as a double-digit favorite against Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29.
Swinney said the key will be staying focused on preparing for a tough matchup.
“There’s a lot of distractions,” Swinney said of returning to the semifinals. “There’s a lot of things that come with being a part of this — a lot of things that you have to manage that aren’t in kind of a normal game.”
Matt Murschel’s pick:
Clemson 24-21.