Clemson Tigers
FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Isaiah Simmons (11) and Denzel Johnson react after making a defensive play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Clemson, S.C. Simmons was selected to The Associated Press All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team, and named Defensive Player of the Year, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Can Clemson's versatile defenders flummox LSU and Burrow?

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2020 06:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) works against Oklahoma during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game, in Atlanta. LSU’s Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson were easy selections for The Associated Press all-bowl team. The two connected for four first-half touchdowns in a College Football Playoff semifinal blowout of Oklahoma. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
AP Top 25 Podcast: LSU vs. Clemson in CFP title preview

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2020 04:11 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is congratulated after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Delay of game: National title on hold amidst 2-week wait

By Pete Iacobelli Jan. 07, 2020 05:02 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announces his intentions to declare for the 2020 NFL football draft, Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa says he is entering 2020 NFL draft

By John Zenor Jan. 06, 2020 12:23 PM EST

Georgia wide receiver Tyler Simmons (87) cannot pull in a pass against the defense of LSU safety Grant Delpit (7) during an NCAA college football game for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Atlanta. (C.B. Schmelter/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
Delpit caps unusual season for LSU with trip to title game

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 02, 2020 05:13 PM EST

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates after the team's Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. LSU won 63-28. (AP Photo/John Amis)
LSU linebacker Michael Divinity Jr reinstated for title game

Dec. 31, 2019 01:47 PM EST

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Oklahoma during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Underdogs again, Clemson heading to another CFP title game

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 30, 2019 03:53 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney celebrates after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Waiting game: 15 days between CFP semifinals, championship

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2019 02:47 PM EST

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, right, tackles Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. Wade was ejected from the game for targeting. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Fiesta referee explains crucial calls that flipped semifinal

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2019 03:14 AM EST

Clemson safety Nolan Turner (24) celebrates after his interception against Ohio State in the final minute of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
LSU cruises, Clemson survives for title game clash

By David Brandt Dec. 29, 2019 12:37 AM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is congratulated after Clemson defeated Ohio State 29-23 in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Clutch Clemson: No. 3 Tigers beat No. 2 Ohio State 29-23

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2019 12:15 AM EST

No. 3 Clemson beats No. 2 Ohio State 29-23 to advance to face No. 1 LSU in college football national championship game

Dec. 29, 2019 12:02 AM EST
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — No. 3 Clemson beats No. 2 Ohio State 29-23 to advance to face No. 1 LSU in college football national championship game. ...

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, right, tackles Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. Wade was ejected from the game for targeting. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Ohio State's Wade ejected for targeting in Fiesta Bowl

Dec. 28, 2019 09:59 PM EST

Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins, right, is tackled by Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Clemson receiver Higgins returns in 2nd half of Fiesta Bowl

Dec. 28, 2019 09:40 PM EST

Penn State celebrates following the team's 53-39 win over Memphis in the NCAA Cotton Bowl college football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
No. 1 LSU, No. 3 Clemson advance to championship game

By The Associated Press Dec. 28, 2019 08:27 PM EST

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) works out of the pocket against Oklahoma during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Breathtaking: Burrow throws 7 TDs, LSU routs Oklahoma 63-28

By Paul Newberry Dec. 28, 2019 08:09 PM EST

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney speaks during a news conference ahead for the College Football playoffs Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Atlanta. Ryan Day of Ohio State was unable to attend. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Suspended Clemson TE returns for College Football Playoff

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2019 05:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day waits with his players before taking the field for an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, in Lincoln, Neb. A year ago, Day was a relatively unknown Ohio State assistant. This December he's reigning Big Ten coach of the year and is eyeing a national title after leading the Buckeyes to a 13-0 record as the successor to the retiring Urban Meyer. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Superpower semifinal: Ohio State, Clemson meet in Fiesta

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2019 03:51 PM EST

FILE - This Oct. 1, 2017 file photo shows San Francisco 49ers Jeff Hafley during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz. Hafley is the new Boston College football coach. “Jeff’s shown throughout his coaching career he is a tremendous leader with high integrity and a gift for teaching," BC athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Clemson's Scott and Ohio State's Hafley pulling double duty

By John Marshall Dec. 27, 2019 02:34 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young rushes against Northwestern during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Evanston, Ill. Young got back on the field, and immediately back into the Heisman Trophy race. In his return from a two-game NCAA suspension, he had three sacks among nine tackles in the Buckeyes’ win over Penn State last Saturday. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
No. 2 Ohio State faces No. 3 Clemson in CFP at Fiesta Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2019 06:54 PM EST