Max Gilbert, Tennessee
Gilbert has missed six field goals this season, and five of them came in a two-game stretch against Kentucky and Alabama. Take out those two games, and he’s 18-for-19 with three field goals of 50-plus.
Gilbert, a redshirt freshman in his first season as Tennessee’s kicker, hasn’t had to make many pressure kicks in his career, at least not during games. Earlier this season, Gilbert told reporters about making kicks in practice with the entire team lined up around him and coach Josh Heupel yelling at the top of his lungs.
Jayden Fielding, Ohio State
Should Ohio State be worried about Fielding, or is this just what happens when the Buckeyes play Michigan?
Fielding was 8-for-9 before missing twice against Michigan, once from 38 yards and once from 34. Either one of those kicks might have been enough to avoid a crushing 13-10 upset and send Ohio State to the Big Ten Championship Game.
Everyone at Ohio State, Fielding included, will be trying to hit the reset button for the CFP. Ohio State and Tennessee have two of the best red-zone defenses in the FBS when it comes to holding opponents out of the end zone. Which team will settle for field goals, and which team will make the ones they attempt? That could be the story of this first-round matchup.
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GO FURTHER
Which College Football Playoff teams can trust their kickers in the clutch?
