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The New Year’s Six bowl games officially begin with the Cotton Bowl when Florida and Oklahoma face one another for just the second time in history, 11 years removed from Tim Tebow and the Gators winning the BCS National Championship.
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The two teams finished the season under different circumstances with No. 6 Oklahoma (8-2) winning seven in a row and the Big 12 Championship while No. 7 Florida (8-3) lost its last two games, including a near-comeback victory over Alabama in the SEC championship
Game: Cotton Bowl
Wednesday, 30 December
Florida vs Oklahoma
8:00 PM ET
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Watch: ESPN- Click Here
Storylines
Florida: Opt outs have been a big part of the 2020 season, both in the regular season and for bowl games. You can argue that no individual opt out is bigger for a team than tight end Kyle Pitts. In just eight games, Pitts racked up 770 yards receiving — averaging nearly 100 yards per game and 18 yards per catch — and 12 touchdowns. He was the textbook definition of a mismatch for defenses. He has the opportunity to be a high first-round NFL draft pick, however, so his decision to leave early and skip the bowl makes sense. Kadarius Toney has emerged as a legit WR1, but he’s out, too. So are Trevon Grimes and Jacob Copeland. Who will be the impact pass catcher in this game?
Oklahoma: The Sooners defense has come on strong in the second half of the season, but Florida will by far be the toughest offense they’ve faced. Oklahoma has a good balance of pass rush with defensive linemen Ronnie Perkins and Isaiah Thomas, along with linebacker Nik Bonitto. On the back end, defensive backs Tre Brown and Brendan Radley-Hiles are playing tight coverage. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has done a superb job turning the corner with this defense. Slowing down Florida’s elite passing attack and getting pressure on quarterback Kyle Trask will be the key to victory.
How to watch live Stream the NCAA College Football Bowl on ESPN
ESPN is the primary broadcaster of the NCAA playoff and other year-end bowl games. There are a variety of services that carry ESPN and many of them include a free trial.
Stream the College Football Playoff live on Sling TV
Price: 30 USD/month and up
Channels: ESPN
Sling TV offers many channels for watching NCAA football live streams throughout the season, including ESPN for the playoffs. Games aired on the ESPN channels will be simulcast on ESPN Deportes (available if you choose the “Best of Spanish” add-on). A three-day free trial is available.
To watch NCAA football live on Sling TV:
Get ExpressVPN.Connect to a server location in the United States, such as Chicago.Head to Sling TV Orange & Blue and select a package, or use the free trial. You may need a U.S. credit card or Paypal.Tune in to the action!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Watching on mobile? Fire up the Sling TV app (on Android and iOS).
Watch college football bowl games on Hulu+Live TV
Price: 55 USD/month and up
Channels: ESPN
Much like Sling TV, Hulu+Live TV also provides ESPN, and games aired on the ESPN channels will be simulcast on ESPN Deportes.. There’s a seven-day free trial available.
To watch Bowl live on Hulu + Live TV:
Get ExpressVPN. Connect to a server location in the United States, such as Chicago. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat. Go to Hulu and select a plan. If you’re watching through a web browser, use the ExpressVPN browser extension.Tune in to the action! Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Watching on mobile? Fire up the Hulu app on your Android or iOS device.
Watch the College Football Playoff live on YouTube TV
Price: 65 USD/month
Channels: ESPN
YouTube TV gives you access to almost every channel that broadcasts college football. There’s a five-day free trial available. Watching on mobile? Fire up the YouTube TV app on your Android or iOS device.
Watch the NCAA Football Playoff on AT&T TV Now
Price: 55 USD/month and up
Channels: ESPN
AT&T TV Now is also a great way to watch NCAA football live streams. In order to get the ACC Network, BTN, and ESPNU channels, choose the AT&T TV Now Max package for an extra 15 USD/month. To subscribe to AT&T TV Now, you will need to access the service from a U.S. IP address. Not sure if you want to commit to AT&T TV Now? There is a seven-day free trial available.
To watch college football on AT&T TV Now:
Get ExpressVPN.Connect to a server location in the United States, such as San Francisco. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.Visit AT&T TV Now and select a plan.Enjoy the games! Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Watching on mobile? Fire up the AT&T TV Now app (on Android and iOS).
Watch NCAA bowl games on fuboTV
Price: 60 USD/month and up
Channels: BTN, CBS, CBSSN, Fox, FS1, NBC, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network
Don’t have a cable subscription? No problemo. FuboTV is an affordable, no-strings streaming package that includes ESPN. To subscribe to fuboTV, you will need to access the service from a U.S. IP address.
Not sure if you want to commit to fuboTV? Use the seven-day free trial.
To watch college football on fuboTV:
Get ExpressVPN.Connect to a server location in the United States, such as Chicago. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.Visit fuboTV and use the free trial. You will need a U.S. credit card. If you’re watching in a web browser, download and use the ExpressVPN browser extension before accessing the stream.Tune in to the games!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Watching on mobile? Fire up the fuboTV app (on Android and iOS).
Follow NCAA football results on ESPN Radio
Price: Free
ESPN Radio offers an online audio broadcast of many NCAA football games broadcasted on ESPN. The best thing is, it’s completely free! To listen:
Get ExpressVPN.Connect to a server location in the U.S.Head to the official website of ESPN Radio.You’re all set! Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. Listening on mobile? Fire up the ESPN Radio app on your Android or iOS device.
What to expect from Alabama (1) vs. Notre Dame (4)
Time: Friday, January 1, 2021 [5:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S)]
Channel: ESPN
There’s no way around it, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the overwhelming favorite in this one. Early spreads released by sportsbooks are between 15 and 20 points, which indicates that a blowout could be in the works. There’s simply a talent gap that’s hard to bridge as Alabama’s roster is full of future NFL stars. The trifecta of quarterback Mac Jones, wide receiver—and probable Heisman winner—DeVonta Smith, and running back Najee Harris is about as close to unstoppable as you can have at this level. When you combine that talent with the experience and success of the Nick Saban-led coaching staff, the challenge the Notre Dame Fighting Irish face is daunting.
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If Notre Dame is going to pull off a stunner, it will require a masterful effort from quarterback Ian Book.The senior is exceedingly efficient and almost never turns the ball over, but he’ll be hard-pressed to keep his team in this one if it becomes a shootout. Look for the Fighting Irish to execute a ball control game plan that leans heavily on its strong offensive line creating holes for Kyren Williams in an attempt to shorten the game. It might be the team’s only hope.
What to expect from Clemson (2) vs. Ohio State (3)
Time: Friday, January 1, 2021 [8:45 PM Eastern Time (U.S)]
Channel: ESPN
Not only should this game be closer than the Alabama-Notre Dame matchup, it also features the top two NFL quarterback prospects in the 2021 draft. Trevor Lawrence and his Clemson Tigers are the slight favorites in this one as they look to repeat their CFP semifinal victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes last year. Considering Lawrence’s career 34-1 record, it’s hard not to like their chances.
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Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields might have something to say about that, though. Although his Buckeyes squad has only played six games this season due to COVID-19 postponements, it’sa talented team top to bottom. Fields didn’t shine in the Big Ten championship against Northwestern, but he should bounce back on this stage. This is still the same guy who threw 41 touchdowns and just three interceptions the last time he played a full season, and he should be able to link up with Garrett Wilson for some big plays against Clemson’s defense. Whether he can make more plays than Lawrence should be the deciding factor in this one.
2020 NCAA football calendar
Date (ET) Event
Regular season September 3—December 12, 2020
Playoff semifinals January 1, 2021
CFB national championship January 11, 2021
2020-21 Heisman race
Joe Burrow delivered the single greatest individual season ever last year, throwing for an absurd 60 touchdowns and leading 15-0 LSU to the national title. With Burrow off to tear up the NFL, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith seems the likeliest candidate to capture the stiff-arm trophy, especially after his monster performance in the SEC championship game. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence was a preseason favorite, but a COVID-19 diagnosis has cost him two games. Mac Jones of Alabama is another quarterback to watch, as is Florida’s Kyle Trask.
Will it be Smith? Jones? Trask? Or a left-field contender? Leave your predictions in the comments below, and be sure to contact ExpressVPN Support Team by live chat if you have any questions!
College football Top 25 rankings
With the regular season at an end, here’s how the AP top-25 poll sorted the teams this year:
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Clemson Tigers
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- Florida Gators
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Iowa State Cyclones
- BYU Cougars
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Northwestern Wildcats
- Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Miami Hurricanes
- San Jose State Spartans
- Texas Longhorns
- USC Trojans
- Tulsa Golden Hurricane
- Liberty Flames
- North Carolina State Wolfpack
- Oregon Ducks
Cotton Bowl prediction, picks
Latest Odds: Florida Gators +5.5
Florida is about a field goal favorite. The true test of whether Oklahoma can pull off the win is if its defense is up to the challenge. Offensively, Oklahoma is still good, but a little less consistent than in year’s past. Getting running back Rhamondre Stevenson going will be critical in controlling the game. Yes, there will be points scored, but Oklahoma’s defense should do enough to keep things from getting too out of hand. It may even be enough to get the outright win. Pick: Oklahoma +3 | Oklahoma 37, Florida 34