Cam Newton says Cotton Bowl is national championship of CFP

Cam Newton says tonight’s semifinal in the playoff is actually the national championship.

To end ‘First Take’ on Friday, Newton said the winner of Texas vs. Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl would be winning the College Football Playoff. He also is expecting a good semi tonight like we got last night between Penn State and Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

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“It’s evident. This is the national championship tonight,” Newton stated.

“I do think that the game is going to be closer than expected. But even to last night’s game? And I think everybody’s anticipation for the College Football Playoffs? Last night was a good game,” said Newton. “Penn State-Notre Dame, contrary to what I may think or anybody else may think? It was a great game from a fan’s perspective. That’s all we want. I think we get that same type of turnout with Ohio State and Texas.”

Stephen A. Smith, though, disagreed when it came to the Longhorns. If Ohio State makes the title game, he thinks the Buckeyes would win over the Fighting Irish. However, as for Texas, Smith doesn’t believe they’re reliable enough to win consecutively in the semifinal tonight and in the title game ten days later.

“If Ohio State wins, they’re winning the national championship. If Texas wins? I don’t trust Texas,” Smith said. “They’re up and down. I don’t trust them to show up two consecutive weeks playing at an elite level. That’s my issue with Texas. So, if they win tonight, I can see them showing up for the national championship game with expectations draped all over them and not being able to handle their business. That’s how I view Texas. They’re a damn good team, I love Sarkisian but I would pick Notre Dame to beat them.”

As good as Notre Dame has been this season and in the playoff, the Cotton Bowl features the two favorites to win the national championship. The Irish saw their overall odds improve last night but, based on the hypothetical opening lines, both Texas and Ohio State would be favored to win it all in Atlanta on the 20th.

Newton is right, though, as this semifinal in Arlington sets up as one of the best games in the expanded playoff this year. Now, here’s to hoping it lives up to it and to last night in determining which two teams will play to decide the CFP.