Written by Brett Korpi
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/9/9/9399298/cfp-semifinal-peach-bowl-dual-signature-for-light-background-300x200.png)
Alabama and Washington are set for a New Year’s Eve tilt in Georgia. The two will square off in one of the two College Football Playoff Semifinal games at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, to decide who will go on to the National Championship game.
The No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide (13-0, 9-0 SEC) enters as the only undefeated Power 5 team, and are winners of their last 25 games. The Huskies (12-1, 8-1 PAC 12), will go into the game as winners of their last three contests, including a 41-10 victory over Colorado in the PAC 12 Championship. It was their first conference title since 2000.
For the No. 4 Huskies, whom many thought would be left out of the playoff when it lost to USC, it could be a “careful what you wish for scenario,” as they will be going up against the defending champions and perennial juggernaut in Alabama.
“It will be the biggest challenge we've ever had as coaches, as players to play this great Alabama team and program.” Washington head coach Chris Petersen said, in a teleconference after the announcement. “Playing a team like Alabama gets you focused in a hurry so I see that as a good thing for our guys.”
Alabama head coach Nick Saban, has an equal amount of respect for the opposing coach and the program he has built in three years.
“We have a lot of respect for this Washington program, and I know they have a fantastic team this year.” Saban, would add even more praise saying, “Coach Petersen has done a fantastic job of developing this team to be one of the best teams in the country.”
Saban, would acknowledge his respect for Washington goes deeper, having played for the Huskies’ legendary coach Don James, at Kent State.
“I played for Coach James, and he actually talked me into being a graduate assistant when I didn't even really care about being a coach. Probably wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for him.” Saban, continued, “learned so much that we still use in our program because of him and the great success that he had at the University of Washington, winning the National Championship there.”
Petersen would offer final praise for Saban and the Crimson Tide program.
“I don't think there's a better program in the country. I think it's one thing to make it to the playoffs once and do some good things now and again. But, every year, you know Alabama is going to be right there. It's just a testament to the system, the program, the whole thing that he's built at Alabama”
The Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl will be played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, December 31st, at 3:00pm EST.
The No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide (13-0, 9-0 SEC) enters as the only undefeated Power 5 team, and are winners of their last 25 games. The Huskies (12-1, 8-1 PAC 12), will go into the game as winners of their last three contests, including a 41-10 victory over Colorado in the PAC 12 Championship. It was their first conference title since 2000.
For the No. 4 Huskies, whom many thought would be left out of the playoff when it lost to USC, it could be a “careful what you wish for scenario,” as they will be going up against the defending champions and perennial juggernaut in Alabama.
“It will be the biggest challenge we've ever had as coaches, as players to play this great Alabama team and program.” Washington head coach Chris Petersen said, in a teleconference after the announcement. “Playing a team like Alabama gets you focused in a hurry so I see that as a good thing for our guys.”
Alabama head coach Nick Saban, has an equal amount of respect for the opposing coach and the program he has built in three years.
“We have a lot of respect for this Washington program, and I know they have a fantastic team this year.” Saban, would add even more praise saying, “Coach Petersen has done a fantastic job of developing this team to be one of the best teams in the country.”
Saban, would acknowledge his respect for Washington goes deeper, having played for the Huskies’ legendary coach Don James, at Kent State.
“I played for Coach James, and he actually talked me into being a graduate assistant when I didn't even really care about being a coach. Probably wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for him.” Saban, continued, “learned so much that we still use in our program because of him and the great success that he had at the University of Washington, winning the National Championship there.”
Petersen would offer final praise for Saban and the Crimson Tide program.
“I don't think there's a better program in the country. I think it's one thing to make it to the playoffs once and do some good things now and again. But, every year, you know Alabama is going to be right there. It's just a testament to the system, the program, the whole thing that he's built at Alabama”
The Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl will be played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, December 31st, at 3:00pm EST.