Cotton Bowl Playoff semifinal 2018, Clemson vs. Notre Dame: Where, when, and team info
The game in Arlington now has its matchup.
Who’s playing in the 2018 Cotton Bowl?
Clemson (13-0, 8-0 in ACC)
The Tigers are in the Playoff for the fourth year in a row, and this year’s done nothing to change their status as the sport’s best non-Alabama program.
Quarterback Kelly Bryant transferred after four games, but five-star Trevor Lawrence -- the highest rated recruit at any position since QB Matt Barkley in 2009 – has stepped in and given the program an efficient, reliable downfield thrower. Travis Etienne has a case as the best running back in the country, and if Clemson threw to him more often, receiver Tee Higgins might have the same case at his position.
Though the offense is great, the brilliant defense is Clemson’s real bread and butter. That all starts with a ferocious four-man line that creates more chaos than any other line in the sport. It’s so hard to run on this team, and it’s also so hard to avoid sacks on this team. What can you do when both of those things are so hard?
Clemson and Alabama have seemed to be on a crash course for a while. If that matchup does come about in another title game, the Tigers will have a great shot.
Notre Dame (12-0)
The Irish are in the Playoff for the first time in the event’s five-year history, and they didn’t even have to play a conference title game to get there. (They play a Power 5 schedule and have Power 5 talent and stature, so the selection committee treats them like a Power 5 team and was never going to keep them out with an unbeaten record.
In this group, Brian Kelly might turn out to have his best team, despite a couple of flaws. Ian Book has turned out to be a great answer at quarterback, which has helped cover for a mediocre running game. The defense is tremendous, which covers for a whole offense that’s good but not great and special-teams units that aren’t even good.
Let’s talk about that defense, because if the Irish win the whole thing, the D will be why. The Irish have some of the best linebackers in the country, including leading tacklers Te’Von Coney (the middle LB) and Drue Tranquill (the “buck,” like a hybrid end/backer who, in his case, also has some skills you’d find in a nickel cornerback). Safety Alohi Gilman and corner Julian Love anchor a quality secondary.
Where is the Cotton Bowl?
The game’s played in Jerry World — better known as AT&T Stadium — in Arlington, Texas. It’s where the Dallas Cowboys play on Sunday, and it’s basically a monument to sporting venue excess.
When is the Cotton Bowl, and how can I watch it?
4: p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 29. ESPN for TV, and WatchESPN for streaming.
