2019 // week 16
WEEK 16 WHAT’S NEW TEAM OF THE WEEK: OHIO STATE Facing its first double-digit deficit of the season, No. 2 Ohio State was led by the legs of J.K. Dobbins and the arm of Justin Fields to secure its third Big Ten title in a row, defeating No. 8 Wisconsin, 34-21. Due to the running game, the Badgers got off to a 14-point first half lead, but the Buckeyes rallied in the second half, keeping Wisconsin off the board and scoring 27 unanswered points to clinch the victory. Photo credit of Jamie Sabau/Getty
We are excited to have an opportunity to play in the
In a match of unbeatens, the No. 2 Buckeyes are coming to the Valley of the Sun for their ninth straight Fiesta Bowl appearance to play reigning national champions No. 3 Clemson in the 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinal in the
playoffs, and been working hard towards this goal.
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Our team is excited about this challenge.
I thought we finished the season strong, especially the last three games. And we are looking forward to preparing for this game, getting out to Arizona.” Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day on being selected for the 2019 College Football Playoff at the PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl
WEEK 16 CFP RANKINGS 1. LSU
4. Oklahoma
7. Baylor
10. Penn State
2. Ohio State
5. Georgia
8. Wisconsin
11. Utah
3. Clemson
6. Oregon
9. Florida
12. Auburn
For full rankings, click here.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019 | WEEK 16
WEEK 16 WHAT’S ON TAP NEW YEAR SIX BOWL GAMES GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC
#10 PENN STATE VS #17 MEMPHIS 12.28 | 10 AM | ESPN
CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL CFP SEMIFINAL
#1 LSU VS #4 OKLAHOMA
GET TO KNOW OUR TEAMS Air Force: Representing the Mountain West Conference, Air Force (10-2, 7-1) earned a trip to the Cheez-It® Bowl for the second time in program history, while becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016. Air Force’s previous trip came in the 1995 Copper Bowl when the Falcons fell to Texas Tech, 55-41. The Falcons bring a high powered rushing offense to the Valley, totaling 37 rushing touchdowns and rank third in the country at 292.7 yards per game. Coach: Troy Calhoun Key Players: Isaiah Sanders, Quarterback. Scott Hattok, Offensive Lineman. Mosese Fifita, Nose Guard. Nolan Laufenberg, Offensive Lineman. Jake Keohnke, Placekicker.
12.28 | 2 PM | ESPN
PLAYSTATION® FIESTA BOWL CFP SEMIFINAL
#2 OHIO ST VS #3 CLEMSON 12.28 | 6 PM | ESPN
Washington State: Coming out of the Pac-12 Conference, Washington State (6-6, 3-6) earned a trip to the Cheez-It® Bowl for the second time in program history and its fifth-straight bowl game appearance. Redshirt senior Anthony Gordon leads the nation in passing this season with 5,228 yards, becoming the 16th quarterback in NCAA FBS history to throw for 5,000 yards in a single season and the first since Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech) in 2016. Coach: Mike Leach
CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL
#9 FLORIDA VS #24 VIRGINIA
Key Players: Anthony Gordon, Quarterback. Max Borghi, Running Back. Esop Winston Jr., Wide Receiver. Brandon Arconado, Wide Receiver. Dezmon Patmon, Wide Receiver. Blake Mazza, Placekicker. Jahad Woods, Linebacker.
12.30 | 6 PM | ESPN
ROSE BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL
#6 OREGON VS #8 WISCONSIN 1.1 | 3 PM | ESPN
ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
#5 GEORGIA VS #7 BAYLOR 1.1| 6:45 PM| ESPN
Ohio State: No. 2 Ohio State is making its ninth Fiesta Bowl appearance (5-3), the most by any team, and third in the last five years. The Buckeyes were dominant this season with a 13-0 record, behind Heisman Trophy finalists Chase Young and Justin Fields and the nation’s top-ranked scoring offense and second ranked defense. Coach: Ryan Day Key Players: Justin Fields, Quarterback. Chase Young, Defensive End. J.K. Dobbins, Running Back. Malik Harrison, Linebacker. Jeff Okudah, Cornerback. Jordan Fuller, Safety. Jonah Jackson, Guard Clemson: Owning the nation’s longest winning streak at 28-straight games, No. 3 Clemson finished the regular season 13-0 overall. This is Clemson’s second PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl appearance, after 2016 when the Tigers shut out Ohio State, 31-0. Anything on this year’s player(s)? Coach: Dabo Swinney
CHEEZ-IT BOWL ®
AIR FORCE VS WASHINGTON STATE
Key Players: Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback. Travis Etienne, Running Back. Isaiah Simmons, Linebacker. Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver. John Simpson, Offensive Lineman. Tremayne Anchrum, Offensive Tackle. A.J. Terrell, Cornerback. Tanner Muse, Safety.
12.27 | 8:15 PM | ESPN
For a full schedule of bowl games, click here. (All times in AZ)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019 | WEEK 16
FIESTA BOWL FACTS #FIESTAFLASHBACK
TWEETS OF THE WEEK
How does an embattled team prep for the biggest comeback in NCAA Bowl history… at halftime? Former Texas Tech Quarterback Graham Harrell recalls the directions from Head Coach Mike Leach were relatively simple. Click below to learn how Harrell and one of this year’s Cheez-It® Bowl head coaches led the 2006 Texas Tech football team to the largest comeback in NCAA Bowl history in the 2006 Insight Bowl (now Cheez-It® Bowl). READ MORE
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: OPERATION SANTA With the Holidays around the corner, Santa was able to bring some Christmas miracles to a group of special and deserving children in the West Valley area. On Tuesday evening, Fiesta Bowl Charities partnered with USAA and Dick’s Sporting Goods to provide 40 Valley children with an active, deployed parent in the military a holiday shopping spree inside Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona. The 40 children were selected as part of the Fighter Country Foundation, a local organization that focuses on the supporting programs and services at Luke Air Force Base that aid, support and honor Airmen and their families. VIEW ALBUM
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDER | 2019 | WEEK 16
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