Clemson to face Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl

The game will feature a lot of elite athletes, two play-making quarterbacks who can fracture a defense with both arm and legs, and a pair of coaches accustomed to winning big games. The undefeated defending national champions have been dominant. The fifth-ranked Nittany Lions (11-2, 9-1) fell one spot shy of the playoff, and instead, will settle for a Rose Bowl appearance against Southern California (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) at 5 p.m. January 2 in Pasadena, Calif.

Explaining the inclusion of Ohio State over a team that won the conference championship and defeated the Buckeyes, Hocutt said other metrics were considered. “We understand how hard it is to make the playoffs and we’re humbled and honored”.

The Buckeyes (11-1) lost their bid for the Big Ten title with a loss to Penn State on October 22. That may not be much of a consolation for Penn State, however, as the Nittany Lions came oh so close to securing a playoff bid.

Then there was Washington, whose schedule has been considered weak.

Penn State and MI were Nos. The committee’s big choice for the final spot came from among Washington, two-loss Big Ten champ Penn State and two-loss MI, which beat the Nittany Lions 49-10 in late September.

Hocutt acknowledged there was some concern over the strength of Washington’s schedule, but he said the Huskies’ quality wins were enough to remove any doubt. Clemson will combat Ohio State’s depth and explosiveness with an offensive line that rounded into form during season-ending wins against Wake Forest, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.

No. 2 Clemson – The ACC champion Clemson Tigers are back in the playoff for a second straight season.

Penn State will make its fourth appearance in the Rose Bowl, including three against USC. The winners play for the national championship.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney cautioned that more postseason would lessen the value of the regular season and that adding another round would require eliminating other games. “We’re looking forward to having a better time this year”. The Ohio State defense has played well all season. MI will now be heading to the Orange Bowl.

Washington’s last national title came in 1991, when the Huskies were No. 1 in the final coaches’ poll.

Many questioned why Ohio State deserved a spot, especially over Penn State.

The kickoff times have been set for the two College Football Playoff semifinal contests – the Peach Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl. Clemson is led by junior quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been critiqued this fall for his unexpected bouts with interceptions but remains a quarterback capable of carrying his team to a championship.

Ohio State lost via blocked kick on the road to the No. 5 team in the country. Browning was just 9 for 24 for 118 yards with two touchdown passes. Washington defensive back Taylor Rapp (21) holds the game MVP trophy after Washington’s 41-10 win over Colorado in the Pac-12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif.

Ohio State: Beat Notre Dame 44-28 in the Fiesta Bowl last season after winning the inaugural CFP championship the year before.