Pros and Cons of Each CFB Playoff Team

Bowl season has arrived and bringing with it the chance for fans to travel across the country and watch their team take the field one final time before the offseason arrives. For most teams, it's the opportunity to enjoy the vacation and attempt to send the seniors out on a winning note. While there are many exciting games and intriguing matchups to watch over the next month, two games will take most of the national media attention. Alabama battles Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and Clemson will take on Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl in the CFB Playoffs. All four teams have earned the right to play for a national championship and thrive in many ways, but also carry flaws that could see them fall in their semifinal matchup. Here are the biggest pros and cons of the top four teams.

Alabama

Pro- Star Power

As always Alabama is littered with NFL talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Alabama has multiple first-round prospects and have squeezed the life out of opposing offenses all season. In a two game stretch against Mississippi State and LSU, the Crimson Tide allowed a total of 365 yards and not a single point. Likely top ten pick Quinnen Williams has arguably been the best player in the country this season. Williams is an elite defensive tackle with the strength to fill any potential running lanes and the speed to rush the quarterback. If Williams gets going, any offense is going to have a poor day against the Tide. If you are lucky enough to get past Williams, Alabama has the best safety in college football and arguably the best linebacker in Mack Wilson. This is all without mentioning Heisman finalist Tua Tagovailoa and stud running back Damien Harris. It's safe to say Alabama is loaded.

Con- Pressure

Alabama has been dominant all season and having only been challenged in one game there are few holes in this team. The only aspect that could hurt the Tide is the pressure and expectations on this team. If Alabama cruises through the playoffs they could definitely be seen as one of the best teams in college football history. Could all this pressure and attention cause the players to play nervous? Maybe. But as of now, the pressure is the only potential aspect that could take down Alabama.

Clemson

Pro- Running Game

Clemson appears to be the one team that has both the coaching and talent to compete with Alabama on both sides of the ball. Clemson has NFL talent on both sides of the ball and is familiar with Alabama. But if they want to win a championship it will have to come on the ground and their star running back Travis Etienne. Etienne has been excellent this season running for over 1400 yards and 21 touchdowns and is the key to the Clemson offense. Keeping the pressure off true freshman Trevor Lawrence is crucial for Clemson and Etienne is the key.

Con- Lack of Adversity

Clemson cruised through the regular season, thanks in part to a down year in the ACC. The Tigers only played two ranked teams and both games were at home. In the ACC title game, Clemson faced a 7-6 Pitt team that they easily brushed aside. How will the Tigers fare when they play against stiffer competition? The Tigers may begin to crack down the stretch in a tight game due to lack of experience this season.

Notre Dame

Pro- Balance

The Irish are incredibly balanced on both sides of the ball. They rarely turn the ball over and don't make mistakes on defense and definitely have the appearance of championship caliber team. The Irish are efficient on the ground and through the air. Quarterback Ian Book is an underrated dual threat and has thrown only six interceptions. If Book can continue his stellar play the Irish are true contenders.

Con- Speed

While Notre Dame is very fundamentally sound, they lack elite speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball. A team that could expose this weakness could run the Irish off the field. A potential matchup with Alabama, in particular, would be very difficult for Notre Dame. The Tide have elite offensive weapons in Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle and would be very difficult matchups for Notre Dame.

Oklahoma

Pro- Offense

Oklahoma is one of the greatest offenses to ever play college football. Heisman winner Kyler Murray has torn opposing defenses apart with both his arm and legs, throwing for 40 touchdowns and running for 11. The Sooners have scored over 30 points in all but one game and gone over 50 points seven different times. And it's not just the air attack that is killing defenses, Oklahoma has two running backs that ran for more than 900 yards in Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks.

Con- Defense

As good as the offense is, the defense is as bad. The biggest debate on whether the Sooners should be in the playoffs was if their defense was worthy of competing against the likes of Alabama and Clemson. The Sooners currently allowing over 32 points per game and leave the offense to simply outscore their opponent. To win the playoff the defense must find ways to get multiple stops throughout a game because Kyler Murray and co. won't score on each possession against Alabama. If they can force a turnover or two they may be able to defeat team.