How do I dissect the first ever 12 team playoff? In some ways it was great for drama and conversations about how it should be formatted. In other ways, well chaos. Now that we’ve reached the National Championship, we can only hope the matchup is not as toxic as in years past.
Indiana Hoosiers: Even if the Hoosiers massively overachieved this year and came within one bad half of an undefeated regular season, they must suffer the learning experience. Getting hammered in the heart of Touchdown Jesus by their big brother to the West. The game was pretty much over when Kurtis Rourke threw that pick in the end zone which was followed by Jeremiyah Love going 98 yards on the very next play. The only reason why Indiana didn’t lose by 30 was because of garbage time. They were outright dominated for 60 minutes. Even if Curt Cignetti exceeded every single expectation that was placed on him at the start of the year, the way the Hoosiers season ended had a sour taste in his mouth. But hey, he’ll probably be very active in the NIL department this summer. Well at least you gave the Irish momentum for the rest of the playoffs.
SMU Mustangs: In my opinion SMU’s hopes of victory were dashed by one play in the 1st Quarter. Kevin Jennings appeared to have a wide open TD pass to Matthew Hibner, (DOINK!) Only for him to hear footsteps and drop the pass. That moment killed any hopes of Mustang upset. Shortly after the wheels fell off completely and they were consumed in front of a sea of white. Pick Six Saturday was their punishment. Not just one interception return for a TD but two of them. I know everyone is going to say that Alabama would have put up a better fight but I don’t think they would have fared any better. SMU was the right team that the committee chose for the last spot, however their inexperience and the noise of Beaver Stadium undid them. Although if there’s any good news it’s that their new University President is coming over from Texas. Did you see how much NIL they’ve made the last few years. If SMU follows that trend, they’ve got a shot at glory. Until then, at least keep trying.
Clemson Tigers: Another no brainer of an outcome whatsoever. Clemson vanished just as fast they emerged into the tournament. In this game the Tigers chose to execute death by the ground game. Quinn Ewers may have been shaky in this game but he didn’t need to do that much in order to win. That’s what happens when Jaydon Blue had his coming out party. Over 140 yards on the ground and endless destruction was the theme of the day. Dabo Swinney getting bested at his own game against a coach that he had owned prior to this moment. A team built on toughness and resilience was bested by the hefty pockets of the Longhorns. It’s a perfect representation of capitalism. Despite Clemson having better coaching, and being excellent in situational football, pumping boatloads of money always wins in the end. Even if you got one-upped by the Texas Walmart at least you can say you aren’t a certain team in Knoxville.
Tennessee Volunteers: What can I say about this game other than it being an annihilation of Rocky Top’s hopes and dreams. In what looked to be the most even matchup on paper in Round 1 turned into an absolute slaughter. Yes this probably has more to do with the Buckeyes playing up to their potential, but I thought Tennessee had the guns to pull off an upset. Remember how their fans boasted that they would take over Columbus. Well they did… BEFORE THE GAME WAS EVEN PLAYED! That high powered offense of the Vols was completely nonexistent in this game. Nico Iamaleava knew this was going to be a legacy game, and he laid a massive egg. As for the defense, they were eaten alive by Will Howard and the most expensive offense in the country. 42 points against. Jeremiah Smith did basically whatever he wanted and there were no answers for him nor TreVeyon Henderson all game. This game is further proof that right now the Big Ten, not the SEC, runs College Football. If you disagree with my take about this narrative ESPN, I’ve got one thing to say. DROP AND GIVE ME 20!
Boise State Broncos: Ashton Jeanty is probably the best back that College Football has seen since Barry Sanders. While that statement is true, it can’t escape the harsh reality that set in. The clock struck midnight on Boise State’s incredible season. Even without Abdul Carter, Penn State’s defense showed no mercy all game, and limited Jeanty to 103 yards, his lowest total all year long. But even then, the Broncos had a chance to pull off a massive upset. They had the Nittany Lions right where they wanted them only for Nick Singleton and Tyler Warren to rip them into shreds at the worst possible times. PSU’s secondary did the rest. I won’t go too hard on them because they did something that seemed impossible from a Mountain West team, but now you have to wonder if they have enough pieces to make a run going forward. And considering how many seniors and graduate students are leaving after this year. This may have been their best shot at a deep run for a while. A true shame.
Arizona State Sun Devils: The Sun Devils painfully falling to the Texas Walmart with everything falling into place. If that’s not devastating I don’t know what is. ASU had plenty of opportunities early on yet made questionable play calling once they got down to the goal line. If they convert any of those 1st Half opportunities into points, they win this game without it even going into overtime. But for as awful as they played for nearly 40 minutes, the Sun Devils mounted a comeback. Cam Skatteboo was dragging this team kicking and screaming back into the game. The chance to make the Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian into the biggest meme in the NCAA was there for the taking. Bert Auburn was getting PTSD from the SEC Championship against Georgia at the end of regulation with two missed field goals. All they had to do was stop a 4th and 13 in overtime and the upset would be complete. “HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!” Of course Texas gets bailed out by High End Talent, and Arizona State comes up empty shortly there after. Don’t feel too discouraged Kenny Dillingham, with that incredible turnaround and an outstanding freshman class coming next year, I think you’ll be back.
Oregon Ducks: Oregon can you please explain what the hell that was supposed to be? Weren’t you looked at as the favorite to win the Natty? Well it looks like they underachieved in January yet again. Ohio State was gunning for revenge after what happened back in October and my goodness did they lay an ass whooping on the Ducks. 34 points in the 1st Half. The fear that everyone around the country became reality. Oregon’s offense couldn’t bail out their awful defense and Dillon Gabriel was no match for Buckeye dominance. Even in the most enchanted season in program history, the Ducks once again proved that they lack a few things to get them over the top. Like an interior D-Line and DBs who aren’t undersized. Those flaws came back to bite them especially in the opening stages of the game. They’re close, and even though I trust Dan Lanning to right the ship, something is missing from their puzzle they’re trying to craft. And it’ll be on them to try and find it.
Georgia Bulldogs: And with this falling of the mean machine in the Red and Black, every single team that got a Bye in these playoffs has been eliminated in their first game. Now you see why so many people are already complaining about the current format of the 12 team playoff. But from how I see it, the Bulldogs just got hammered for 60 minutes. Even if Carson Beck was healthy, this would have been a major challenge no matter what. With how good Notre Dame’s defense is especially in the secondary, there was little margin for error. Well guess what happened. All it took to undo Georgia was a strip sack and kick return touchdown to start the 2nd Half. Gunner Stockton did whatever he could in place of Beck but in reality the Irish were simply the better team. That 0-3 turnover differential didn’t help matters one bit. The most insane thing is that everyone in Athens is going to blame the Beck injury when in reality they were an inconsistent bunch on both sides all year. In all seriousness my condolences go out to Kirby Smart on the loss of his father Sonny.
Texas Longhorns: I have a feeling that Steve Sarkisian teams have a tendency to choke. And what’s insane is that everyone was overlooking that factor during the week. “THE BEST TEAM MONEY CAN BUY!” “A HOME GAME IN JERRY WORLD!” “RYAN DAY CAN’T BEAT A LEGIT CONTENDER!” Well guess what, Ryan Day did beat a contender. And he did it rather convincingly. The final score of this game was deceiving. Texas was dominated up front on both sides of the ball for the entirety of the game. The only reason why this game was close was because of heinous REFBALL due to this game being officiated by SEC zebras. However Texas did have a chance to come back and make it a game. Trailing by 7 deep into the 4th Quarter. Quinn Ewers is on a mission to prove that he is a top QB prospect in the NFL Draft, proof that he was the right man for the Longhorns and not Arch Manning. Even if the Buckeyes have stopped them 3 times inside the 10 yard line, they still have one crack left. And that’s all they need “Pressure comes, SAWYER KNOCKED IT OUT! AND PICKS IT UP! JACK SAWYER HEADED DOWN THE SIDELINES! OHIO STATE SCOOP AND SCORE!” Too bad Captain Jack came to the rescue. Getting one upped by his old roommate in Columbus. The Drunken Offense narratives are back in business. Don’t worry Texas, at least you’re going to spend more money than anyone else in the nation this offseason… WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEIR UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT LEFT FOR SMU!?
Penn State Nittany Lions: The Nittany Lions had the perfect situation. Dominating their first two opponents with ease, James Franklin shedding so many past narratives placed upon him, and the chance to make it to the National Championship Game for the first time since the 1987 Fiesta Bowl was right there. Then we realize that yes this is the Sandusky Curse and the joyride was going to come to an end at some point. Guess where it came to an end? Ironically in the same city where Joe Paterno suffered the most devastating loss of his career. And just like that loss to Oklahoma, Drew Allar did his best John Shaffer impersonation. Looking like a deer in the headlights thanks to neither of his receivers getting any separation and making boneheaded passes. Notre Dame may have the best defense in the nation, but Allar did himself no favors. But even then there was hope. Penn State took a 7 point lead deep into the 4th Quarter. Riley Leonard was playing through a concussion. The chance at revenge on Ohio State was right there… (DRAMATIC MUSIC!) And then they blew it thanks to Cam Miller falling down in coverage and a repeat of the 2017 Rose Bowl against USC. Agony thy name is Jaden Greathouse. For as tough as this loss is, Penn State is so close to getting over that hump. Get yourselves an elite WR, as well as more depth on both sides of the ball. You will be back here again. And next time, it might be when they finally exorcise the ghosts. I’m proud of you boys. PAUSE.
Well at least this was fun. We had blowouts and some crazy finishes. Although I must be the breaker of bad news. The tournament is almost over, and let’s see the last two teams remaining give me one second… WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
(BOOM!) Ohio State vs Notre Dame, GOD HELP US ALL! Two of the most insufferable programs in the country head to head in a 60 minute clash. I know this is not Alabama, Clemson, or Georgia, BUT COME ON! Ok I’ll give it a chance. Ohio State has always had gobs of talent for a long time but always undid themselves at the worst times. This year has been different. Since the playoffs began, the Buckeyes have straight up dominated their opponents with ease, and every opponent of theirs has been broken. Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. Notre Dame meanwhile has been the definition of a hard nose in your face kind of team. They may lack the big name star power that Ohio State has, but the Irish more than make up for it in terms of full team buy-in. If you were to ask a Golden Domer who was their star, give them 25 names, and if you forget their names, they’ll tell you they were members of the Fighting Irish. Both of these teams share one thing in common. They were left for dead by the media at one point of the season. Ohio State on the last day of the regular season lost at home to Michigan in a game where they beat themselves with bad execution. That game cost them a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, and since then they’ve won more games than Penn State and Oregon combined. Notre Dame on the other hand suffered one of the greatest upsets in College Football History. In Week 2 they were 31 point favorites against Northern Illinois and they choked that game in epic fashion. Since then, the Irish have won an ironically lucky 13 straight games thanks to an elite defense, Riley Leonard’s toughness and dedication, plus the most daunting defense in the nation. Both Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman have shed a ton of doubters this year based on their past in big games, and now one of them is going to hoist the CFP Trophy when the dust settles. Even though both of these teams seem likable I’m dreading this matchup. Insufferable Giant against Insufferable Giant. And the Super Bowl is probably going to be just that in a few weeks.
Bragging Rights Sports 