While the BCS allowed some flexibility for the Fiesta Bowl of old to wheel and deal on its matchup, the College Football Playoff Committee bequeaths its bi-annual semifinal matchup in Glendale, Arizona.
As the score lines of Alabama–Ohio State in 2014 and Alabama–Michigan State in 2015 can attest, some bowl match ups are better than others.
And with Alabama entering its matchup with Washington as ~15-point favorites, the Fiesta Bowl thinks it not only got the best playoff matchup, but the best bowl matchup as well.
Fiesta Bowl committeeman Bob Whitehouse, via Tigernet.com:
"We're thrilled with the selection that the College Football Plaoff Committee gave to the Fiesta Bowl with the number two and the number three selection. We think we've got two perennial top ten teams. They have both been in the playoffs twice in the first three years. We're fortunate that we think we've got the best matchup of the bowl games."
As for Ohio State fans thinking about making the trip, Whitehouse says what they can look forward to most about the trip is Arizona's legendary hospitality.
No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Ohio State kicks off Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
