Why You Should Watch the College Football Playoff

Why You Should Watch the College Football Playoff

In its third edition, the College Football Playoff is less than three weeks away from taking over televisions all over the country.

In the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome, the No.4 Washington Huskies will face off against the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at 3 p.m., EST on ESPN. This marquee matchup will be followed by the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium, where the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the No. 2 Clemson Tigers at 7 p.m., EST on ESPN.

The College Football Playoff rankings never come without controversy, as local fans of the Penn State Nittany Lions were outraged over being left out, as the Nittany Lions won the Big Ten Conference and defeated No 3. Ohio State. Nevertheless, the College Football Playoff should be one for the ages.

The Crimson Tide is coached by the legendary Nick Saban. On the field, Alabama dual threat quarterback Jalen Hurts displays incredible football instinct and skill, having passed for 2592 yards, run for 841, and racking up 32 total touchdowns (22 passing).

Also leading the rushing attack for Alabama is Damien Harris, who has run 986 yards and had two touchdowns this season.

Meanwhile, the receiving corps are highlighted by ArDarius Stewart and Calvin Ridley. Stewart amassed 852 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Ridley went for 727 yards and seven touchdowns. In addition, the Tide boasts the best defense in the country, one of the main reasons the team went undefeated during the regular season.

On the flip side, The Huskies are coached by relatively recent hire Chris Petersen. Similar to the Tide, Washington is led by their quarterback, Jake Browning.

Browning threw for 3280 yards and 42 touchdowns during the regular season. While Browning is not a dual threat quarterback, running backs Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman have combined for 2175 yards and 17 touchdowns. Browning’s favorite target is John Ross, who had 1122 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Washington’s total defense was good enough for tenth in the country, although the Huskies primarily rely on their electric offense to win games.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coached by the accomplished Urban Meyer, who has led the Buckeyes to a championship in the past during his short time there.

Dual threat quarterback J.T. Barrett is one of the key players to watch for the Buckeyes. In the regular season, Barrett passed for 2428 yards and 24 touchdowns, and ran for 847 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The Buckeyes’ rushing attack is a two-headed monster in Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel. Combined, Weber and Samuel ran for 1776 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. In addition, Samuel is Ohio State’s most prolific receiver, with 822 yards and seven touchdowns to his credit.

The Buckeyes are ranked fifth in the country in total defense, making them the second best defense in the CFP behind Alabama.

Meanwhile, the Clemson Tigers are coached by Dabo Swinney, a terrific head coach in his own right. Swinney will be relying heavily on the continued stellar play of Heisman candidate Deshaun Watson, the Tigers’ dual threat quarterback.

Watson threw for 3914 yards and 37 touchdowns, while adding 529 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground.

The Tigers’ tailback Wayne Gallman is yet another threat defenses fear on the ground, as Gallman ran for 1002 yards and 15 touchdowns. Watson’s favorite target is Mike Williams, and with 1171 yards and 10 touchdowns, it is easy to see why.

Clemson’s defense is ranked ninth in the country, making the matchup interesting due to both teams’ prolific offenses and defenses.

Be sure to tune in to ESPN on December 31 and watch the teams vie for a place in College Football Playoff history!