Over the last two days, I just watched four national playoff games. Not only were the games fun to watch, even Indiana’s blowout of Alabama, but they vindicated my frustration since 1998. Whether two teams, or twelve, if you are going to have a national championship, you can not call it a National Championship unless teams from throughout the nation are involved.
Remember the talking heads saying such nonsense as, “We selected the top two. Everyone knows these are the two best teams in the country” during the BCS championship era? And then since 2014, “These games are often blowouts. We don’t have four teams that are worth playing for a title.” In which I said, how do you know. Two conferences, usually the Pac 12 being one of them was left out because of perceptions by east coast voters.
Well now, since 2024, we finally have what can be called a National Championship. All areas of the country are now represented. And it hasn’t turned out as all the experts anticipated.
The last two days have been Fun!
While we have all enjoyed the games, what I find most intriguing, is that three out of the four finalists would have never been selected for the playoffs under the old four team playoff system. Number 10 Miami, who people questioned them even making the playoffs, looked absolutely destructive in their battle with the favored Ohio State. Three years ago, the talking heads would have laughed at the thought of a team that couldn’t even win their conference could have any business in the playoff. Now, they look like one of the favorites.
In the lone CFP quarterfinal played on New Year’s Eve, the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes pulled off a significant upset over the defending national champion and No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Miami’s defense was the difference-maker, holding the high-powered Buckeyes offense in check and forcing key turnovers, including a 72-yard interception return for a touchdown by Keionte Scott. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead and ultimately secured a 24-14 victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, advancing to the semifinals.
Three years ago, the Oregon Ducks, one of those old Pac 12 schools that were often left out of the “SEC tournament” coming in ranked number five, would have been the “first out” of the playoffs and headed to a meaningless bowl game. Today, Oregon walked on favored number 4 seeded Texas Tech.
Oregon Ducks shut out the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders 23-0 in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Oregon’s defense completely stifled Texas Tech’s offense, forcing four turnovers and allowing zero points in a dominant performance at Hard Rock Stadium. The win continued a surprising trend in the 12-team CFP format where teams coming off a first-round bye (like Texas Tech) have consistently lost their quarterfinal matchups.
Schools receiving the bye having a disadvantage had become the narrative before the Indiana – Alabama game. Rightfully, so. Before Indiana and Alabama took the field, Bye teams were 0 – 6 over the past two years. But, it didn’t take long for Indiana to squash that theme.
The No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers made a resounding statement with a 38-3 blowout victory over the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl. Top-seeded Indiana’s defense put on a stellar performance, completely neutralizing Alabama’s attack and holding them to just three points. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers’ offense with three touchdown passes as Indiana dominated the line of scrimmage, earning the program’s first-ever Rose Bowl victory and a spot in the CFP semifinals.
In the final quarterfinal game an exciting offensive battle in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, where the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels defeated the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs 39-34. The game came down to the final moments, with both quarterbacks making crucial plays under pressure. Ole Miss’ kicker provided key field goals of 55, 56, and 47 yards, and the Rebels’ offense outgained the Bulldogs to secure the narrow victory and advance to face Miami in the semifinals.
Again, the lower ranked team, a team three years ago that would have been left out of the playoff, found a way to win.
If this was the BCS era, we would be seeing #1 Indiana vs #2 Ohio State and calling it a National Championship. Of course, I’m sure the pollsters would have moved a SEC team to #2 just to get an SEC school, #3 Georgia, in the championship. After today, both Ohio State or Georgia will be turning in their equipment for the season as they off their plane back in Columbus and Athens while other teams play on. . . in a real national playoff.
If this was the CFP four team era. Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon would be sitting home. After today, all three will be preparing for their semi-final games. . . in a real national playoff.
The best part about it, we don’t have to listen to talking heads about how they “feel” the best teams are playing. We get to watch it play out.
This has been fun!
