Happy New Years Eve! The college bowl season has been rumbling along, and it picks up steam in a big way on Thursday. The Peach Bowl features a pair of ranked opponents kicking things off at 9 a.m. PT, but the real action begins at 1 p.m. The 2015-16 college football playoff gets underway with No. 1 Clemson facing No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. That is followed at 5 p.m. with No. 2 Alabama hosting No. 3 Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.
We're back with a rundown of all three games, including viewing inform
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl - Houston vs. Florida State
Game time: 9:00 a.m.
Channel: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Houston made one of the biggest offseason splashes in all of football, the signing of former Ohio State offensive coordinator, Tom Herman. In Hermans** first season, he led Houston to a 12-1 record, and an AAC title. With marquee wins over Navy, Cincinnati, Memphis and Temple, the Cougars are no fraud. However, Florida State is superior to all the teams listed Houston has beat. Houston's defense is outrageously underrated, especially against one dimensional teams, like FSU. There's no doubt Dalvin Cook is going to put up numbers, but I guarantee quarterback Sean Maguire is going to have many troubles facing a senior DB corp.
HOUSTON DRAFT PROSPECTS:
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#10 Demarcus Ayers, WR, 5'11", 190 lbs.
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#16 Adrian McDonald, S, 5'11", 205 lbs.
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#3 William Jackson III, CB, 6'2", 195 lbs.
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#26 Brandon Wilson, CB, 5'11", 200 lbs.
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#44 Elandon Roberts, ILB, 6'0", 235 lbs.
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#41 Steven Taylor, OLB, 6'1", 225 lbs. - 9 sacks this season.
Florida State will definitely be able to have their way on the ground, but Houston should put points on the board, as well. With loads of NFL talent, FSU is nothing less than a great team. Jimbo Fisher can dial up great schemes, and I'm sure he'll have one for today's matchup.
FSU DRAFT PROSPECTS:
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#8 Jalen Ramsey, DB, 6'1", 202 lbs.
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#44 DeMarcus Walker, DE, 6'3", 281 lbs.
Capital One Orange Bowl - Clemson vs. Oklahoma
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Clemson was arguably the best team in the country. Deshaun Watson was as good as anybody. The defense was a brick wall. The run game was dominant. The Tigers are firing on all cylinders, and they have no intentions of letting up. Dabo Sweeney was a huge part of the success for Clemson this year, leading them to an undefeated season with an ACC title to bring back to South Carolina. With their eyes set on a college football championship, the all-powerful Tigers will have their hands full with a high-octane Oklahoma team.
CLEMSON DRAFT PROSPECTS:
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#1 Jayron Kearse, S, 6'5", 220 lbs.
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#90 Shaq Lawson, DE, 6'3", 270 lbs.
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#2 Mackensie Alexander, CB, 5'11", 195 lbs.
Oklahoma has a great coaching staff, as well. Offensive coordinator Lincon Riley and Bob Stoops combine to make their offense as fluid as an. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, a transfer from Texas Tech, has been one of the most underrated players in the country, while leading one of the most potent offenses. His numbers are jaw-dropping and he means an enormous amount to the Sooners, which is why I feel Mayfield was shorted a Heisman bid. Oklahoma is the only team in contention for a national championship without a hard-nose defense. So how do halt Clemson's offense? First and foremost, you have to limit the on-one-on opportunities that the Tigers love to take advantage of.
OKLAHOMA DRAFT PROSPECTS:
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#19 Eric Striker, LB, 6'0", 222 lbs.
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#15 Zack Sanchez, CB, 5'11", 179 lbs.
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#3 Sterling Shepard, WR, 5'10", 193 lbs.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl - Michigan State vs. Alabama
Game time: 5:00 p.m.
Channel: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Michigan State is still a super underrated team. After leaving the AP poll top four after week 6, they finally re-entered the top four in the final release of rankings, and with it, a College Football Playoff berth. Connor Cook and the Spartans' offense may not put up crazy numbers every game, but they are still very effective. The running back by committee has been doing phenomenal things, as well as receiver Aaron Burbridge, their go-to receiver. A big part of their wins come from their defense. The miracle in Ann Arbor, then the win in Columbus without their starting their quarterback, and then winning the Big Ten title on a demoralizing drive to beat Iowa. The biggest reason Sparty has a chance to win the championship is because they can stop the run. The numbers aren't all there, but there's more to look at than just statistics. Only two times this season has a rusher reached the 100-yard mark through 13 contests.
MICHIGAN STATE DRAFT PROSPECTS:
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#89 Shilique Calhoun, DE, 6'5", 250 lbs.
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#74 Jack Conklin, OT, 6'6", 325 lbs.
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#18 Connor Cook, QB, 6'4", 220 lbs.
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#16 Aaron Burbridge, WR, 6'1", 208 lbs.
Is anyone else tired of seeing Alabama in the biggest games of the year? The strength of their recruiting classes are just too strong every single year to bring down this powerhouse. So how can MSU beat the Crimson Tide? Make the one dimensional team beat you. Saban will continue to give Derrick Henry 40+ carries a game, so you load the box. Make below average quarterback Jake Coker beat you with his arm. However, this is easier said than done. But for Michigan State's defense, they can stop Henry. Coach Dantonio has Sparty rolling, and says not to call them the underdogs.
ALABAMA DRAFT PROSPECTS:
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#19 Reggie Ragland, LB, 6'2", 252 lbs.
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#90 Jarran Reed, DL, 6'4", 314 lbs.
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#86 A'Shawn Robinson, DL, 6'4", 312 lbs.
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#93 Jonathan Allen, EDGE, 6'3", 283 lbs.
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#70 Ryan Kelly, Center, 6'5", 297 lbs.
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#88 O.J. Howard, TE, 6'6", 242 lbs.
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#2 Derrick Henry, RB, 6'3", 242 lbs.