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First things first...HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone at Behind The Steel Curtain and all of Steelers Nation. I hope that everyone is safe and doing well on this Friday afternoon.
There are still a few games left to be played in this college football season, and two of those will decide who will be playing in the National Championship game on Monday January 11th. No. 4 Notre Dame is set to take on No. 1 Alabama in the 4 pm time slot on ESPN and No. 3 Ohio State is set to battle No.2 Clemson in the second game at 8pm on ESPN. More on those games in a bit.
There are also two other games being played today acting as a primer for today’s semifinals. No. 9 Georgia plays No. 8 Cincinnati in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at noon on ESPN. At 1 pm Auburn plays No. 14 Northwestern in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Noon ESPN, Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta, GA
No. 8 Cincinnati vs. No. 9 Georgia
Intriguing game for me at least as I have serious interest in Desmond Ridder becoming a possible draft pick up by the Steelers. He has risen up boards throughout the season and now finds himself being mentioned and placed in the second round of some pundits Big Boards. He faces a strong defensive unit that has several draftable defensive backs as well as an EDGE rusher that is explosive off the line as any in the draft. Don’t sell Cincinnati’s defense short, those young men bring it as well. Could be the best game of the day.
Bearcat’s Notable Players
Desmond Ridder QB #9
Myjai Sanders EDGE #21
James Wiggins SAF #32
Bulldog’s Notable Players
Azeez Ojulari EDGE #13
Eric Stokes CB #27
Tyson Campbell CB #3
Jordan Davis IDL #99
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
1pm Camping World Stadium, Orlando Florida
Auburn vs No. 14 Northwestern 1pm on ABC
Only the second meeting between these schools with Auburn getting that win. Auburn coming off a recent firing of a head coach. Northwestern boasting a stout defense. Big Ten vs. SEC.
Tigers Notable Players
Seth Williams WR #18
Wildcats Notable Players
Greg Newsome II CB #2
4pm ESPN AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
No. 4 Notre Dame vs No. 1 Alabama 4pm ESPN
Notre Dame will need to get the running game going behind one of the best lines in the country if it wants to keep that prolific Alabama offense grounded. Has Brian Kelly already admitted defeat by saying “we have nothing left to prove” I expect the Tide to role big in this one and so does Vegas - Alabama -19.5 points. Kind of makes you wonder if ND belongs in this game.
Irish Notable Players
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB #30
Liam Eichenberg OT #74
Crimson Tide Notable Players
Patrick Surtain II CB #2
Devonta Smith WR #6
Najee Harris RB #22
Alex Leatherwood OT #70
Dylan Moses LB #32
8pm ESPN Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 3 Ohio State vs No. 2 Clemson
The gloves were taken off when Dabo Sweeney announced he had the Buckeyes ranked as the number 11 team. In somewhat of a back track he still defended his original comment. I’m sure that doesn’t set well with a proud Buckeye team. With only six games maybe they don’t belong in this game. It’s not for me to decide but this game could become very chippy and that bodes well for the ones watching. Let’s not forget the game hosts the number 1 overall pick in Trevor Lawrence and possibly the number two overall pick in Justin Fields.
Buckeyes Notable Players
Justin Fields QB #1
Shaun Wade CB #24
Chris Olave WR #2
Wyatt Davis IOL #52
Josh Myers IOL #71
Tigers Notable Players
Trevor Lawrence QB #16
Travis Etienne RB #9
Jackson Carman OT #79
Derion Kendrick CB #1
Join in on the conversation as we uncloud our heads from the night before. Let us know who you wouldn’t mind seeing playing for the Black and Gold.
Go Steelers and Stay Safe Everyone!!!!!
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