Here are Herbstreit’s initial thoughts on the College Football Playoff title game.
Kirk Herbstreit has weighed in on the national title matchup.
This year’s College Football Playoff championship game will be an All-SEC show, pitting Georgia against Alabama.
Herbstreit reacted to the matchup on SportsCenter late Monday night. He also said he was “shocked” by something in the Alabama-Clemson game.
“When you think about what Georgia’s strength is, and now you look at where Alabama is with their health, it’s going to be a great battle at the line of scrimmage,” he said. “I think it is going to put a lot on the quarterback play. I think both quarterbacks and their groups of wide receivers are going to have to execute and eventually make some plays.
“I was shocked watching this game that (Clemson) didn’t take chances to stretch Alabama down the field. They kept trying to run the ball. They kept trying to throw those short passes.
“Until Alabama respects you or fears that you may try to stretch them, they are going to crowd that line.”
Alabama has opened as the favorite over Georgia, being listed as a 4-point favorite at most sportsbooks.
The Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs are set to meet in Atlanta on Monday, Jan. 8.
