This weekend's College Football Playoff semifinals showcase a clash of defensive titans. Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame, all boasting nationally ranked defenses, will look to stifle opposing offenses in their quest for the national championship. The Buckeyes and Longhorns meet in the Cotton Bowl, while the Nittany Lions face the Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl. Both matchups promise to be defensive battles.
Texas plays Ohio State on Friday night in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington; Penn State plays Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday nightThe expanded College Football Playoff has a decidedly old-school feel: Smothering defenses have carried the last four teams still in the hunt for the national championship.
In the quarterfinal win over Arizona State, safety Michael Taaffe's late-game hit on a receiver on the final drive of regulation was reviewed for targeting before it was determined to be legal, and Andrew Mukuba sealed the victory with an interception near the goal line in the double overtime thriller that ended 39-31, the most points Texas has allowed this season.
“You know, that kid can ball. He’s a big baller. Strong, strong ability. He’s a deep threat," Barron said."He’s a physical player, and I’ll have to be physical. “When we’re executing and we’re at a high level, it’s hard to do anything with us,” Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams said. “The most violent team, the team that plays the fastest, executes the most, and exceeds their game plan the most is going to win this game.”
And they did it despite being without standout defensive tackle Rylie Mills, who was knocked out of the playoffs with a knee injury in a quarterfinal win over Indiana.
College Football Playoffs Defense Semifinals Ohio State Texas Penn State Notre Dame
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