Written by Brett Korpi
Bulletin board material need not apply when Clemson's Deshaun Watson and Ohio State's J.T. Barrett take the field New Year’s Eve in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, with the winner earning a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Two of the most explosive quarterbacks in the nation have all the motivation they need to get back to the title game.
For Watson, its how he watched as the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrated the CFP National Championship last year on the University of Phoenix Stadium turf, after losing a heartbreaker 45-40. After the game Watson said, the loss was, “obviously pretty sad. At the end of the season comes a conclusion and it was not the way that we wanted it to.”
The ACC Player of the Year, Heisman finalist and Johnny Unitas Award winner, has done his part to get his team in a situation to create a better ending. While leading the Tigers to a 12-1 record this season and their second consecutive ACC Championship, Watson has thrown for almost 4,000 yards and a gaudy 37 touchdowns. He added another 526 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Barrett, had a better experience in Glendale last year, leading the Buckeyes to a 44-28 victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. However, it is two seasons ago, when an injury ended his season and he had to watch his teammates celebrate a national title from the sidelines, that fuels him. “It's one of the things when I first came here, wrote down my goals. One of them was to win a national championship.” He said in a press conference on Sunday. “We won one, but I didn't get to play in it because I broke my ankle. It was bittersweet.”
With a national title on his mind, Barrett has lead Ohio State to an 11-1 record and another playoff run, throwing for almost 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, and rushing for 847 yards and another nine scores. He was awarded the Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award.
It wasn’t easy for the two quarterbacks on their respective journeys back to Arizona. Watson struggled with turnovers at times, throwing 15 interceptions this season, including three in the Tigers lone loss to Pittsburgh. Barrett also had his issues playing in college football’s toughest conference. Facing some of the best defenses in the country, he was under a great deal of pressure as he was sacked 26 times. In their loss to Penn State, the Nittany Lions limited his effectiveness on the ground, holding him to just 26 yards rushing, and sacking him six times.
Despite their struggles Watson and Barrett were both able to find ways to win. Clemson won five games that were decided by one-score or less. The Buckeyes won four.
After last year’s crushing defeat Watson said, “you'll see us in Tampa next year.” He’ll have to go through Barrett first, who sent him a friendly text after the match-up was revealed. “I’ll see you in Arizona, Brother.”
The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, December 31st at 7:00pm EST.
For Watson, its how he watched as the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrated the CFP National Championship last year on the University of Phoenix Stadium turf, after losing a heartbreaker 45-40. After the game Watson said, the loss was, “obviously pretty sad. At the end of the season comes a conclusion and it was not the way that we wanted it to.”
The ACC Player of the Year, Heisman finalist and Johnny Unitas Award winner, has done his part to get his team in a situation to create a better ending. While leading the Tigers to a 12-1 record this season and their second consecutive ACC Championship, Watson has thrown for almost 4,000 yards and a gaudy 37 touchdowns. He added another 526 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Barrett, had a better experience in Glendale last year, leading the Buckeyes to a 44-28 victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. However, it is two seasons ago, when an injury ended his season and he had to watch his teammates celebrate a national title from the sidelines, that fuels him. “It's one of the things when I first came here, wrote down my goals. One of them was to win a national championship.” He said in a press conference on Sunday. “We won one, but I didn't get to play in it because I broke my ankle. It was bittersweet.”
With a national title on his mind, Barrett has lead Ohio State to an 11-1 record and another playoff run, throwing for almost 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, and rushing for 847 yards and another nine scores. He was awarded the Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year Award.
It wasn’t easy for the two quarterbacks on their respective journeys back to Arizona. Watson struggled with turnovers at times, throwing 15 interceptions this season, including three in the Tigers lone loss to Pittsburgh. Barrett also had his issues playing in college football’s toughest conference. Facing some of the best defenses in the country, he was under a great deal of pressure as he was sacked 26 times. In their loss to Penn State, the Nittany Lions limited his effectiveness on the ground, holding him to just 26 yards rushing, and sacking him six times.
Despite their struggles Watson and Barrett were both able to find ways to win. Clemson won five games that were decided by one-score or less. The Buckeyes won four.
After last year’s crushing defeat Watson said, “you'll see us in Tampa next year.” He’ll have to go through Barrett first, who sent him a friendly text after the match-up was revealed. “I’ll see you in Arizona, Brother.”
The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, December 31st at 7:00pm EST.