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Ranking 2022-23 College Football Playoff, NY6 bowls by watchability

By Michael Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: The Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Georgia Bulldogs during the College Football Playoff Championship held at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: The Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Georgia Bulldogs during the College Football Playoff Championship held at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 03: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 03: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

5. Orange Bowl (Clemson vs. Tennessee)

Miami will be hosting this year’s battle of the oranges. Clemson and their PMS 1595C Orange will be taking on the Tennessee Volunteers and their PMS 151 Orange.

A month ago, this matchup seemed like a realistic playoff game. The Tigers and Vols were each looking strong to make the big dance before embarrassing road losses followed by shocking upsets. The Vols were able to overcome their losses and the major injury to quarterback Hendon Hooker to reach 10 wins and their first New Year’s Six (or BCS game) since 2009.

Clemson rebounded by dominating No. 23 North Carolina in the ACC Championship to reach 11-2 and returned to perch on top of the ACC.

This matchup is stacked with big-time players and storylines. While Hooker is out, Tennessee still has one of the most dangerous offenses in the country, averaging over 47 points per game, and is led by star wideout Jalin Hyatt. The Vols will get the ultimate test when they challenge the Clemson defense, one that may have three defensive players drafted in the first round.

One of the biggest storylines of the game will be the quarterback matchup. We talked about Hooker’s injury, but Tennessee has to feel good about their chances behind backup Joe Milton. The senior transfer from Michigan, Milton has been phenomenal when seeing the field, completing 63 percent of his passes for 720 yards and seven touchdowns on just 54 attempts. Going up against Milton will be super freshman Cade Klubnik.

After starting the ACC title game 2-for-5 for 10 yards, D.J. Uiagalelei was benched for Klubnik who would go 20-for-24 for over 300 total yards and two touchdowns. While the decision won the Tigers the ACC, you can’t help but think that if Dabo Swinney had made the decision earlier in the season, the Tigers would be in the playoff. With Hooker out and Uiagalellei entering the portal, it will be fascinating to see what Milton and Klubnik can do.

These are two teams that will be thinking playoff come 2023, but for now, the Orange Bowl should be a great game and a major chance for one of these teams to springboard into the new year.

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