Orange Bowl Playoff semifinal 2018, Alabama vs. Oklahoma: Where, when, and team info
The semifinal in Miami now has its matchup.
Who’s playing in the 2018 Orange Bowl?
No. 1 Alabama (13-0, 8-0 in SEC)
The Crimson Tide have still never missed a College Football Playoff. After sneaking in as the fourth seed after losing the SEC West in 2017, they’re back in a more customary No. 1 perch this time around. They survived their first serious scare of the year in the SEC Championship against Georgia, breaking the Dawgs hearts in Atlanta for the second time this calendar year. In the process, Nick Saban moved to 16-0 against his former assistants, including 2-0 against the Dawgs’ Kirby Smart.
The Georgia game was interesting, because it somewhat dented the impression of Bama as an unstoppable force that can’t be beaten. Tua Tagovailoa, playing injured, had the ugliest game he’ll ever probably have in his life. Jalen Hurts was great in relief, but the Tide still struggled to put drives together with the ease we’re all used to seeing.
The end result, though, was the same as ever. The Tide remain Goliaths, and it’ll take a massive effort for anyone to beat them.
Oklahoma (12-1, 8-1 in Big 12)
The now-four-time defending Big 12 champions are dangerous again. Oklahoma’s defense has been bad just about all year, but it stood up in holding Texas to 27 points in the conference title game. The offense, led by Heisman candidate Kyler Murray, is again brilliant – sitting at No. 1 in S&P+ and yards per play, having torched every single defense it’s faced all year. The Oklahoma offense simply has not taken off days. It can put up so many points that even with this defense, OU’s never out of any game.
It is usually best to bet the over when Oklahoma’s involved, though the Sooners and Longhorns didn’t hit it in the Big 12 final. (All but one other Sooners game this year did.) When OU’s on the field, except a basketball score and a whole lot of perimeter playmaking. They’re as fun a team to watch as college football has to offer.
Where is the Orange Bowl?
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Dolphins call this stadium home along with the Miami Hurricanes.
When is the Orange Bowl, and how can I watch it?
8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 29. ESPN for TV, and WatchESPN for streaming.
