If this season has taught me anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. Specifically, the final four teams in the College Football Playoff. They are as follows:
1. Clemson
2. Oklahoma
3. Georgia
4. Alabama
The old cliche says “anyone can be beaten on any given day”. There is not a more truer statement than that. We saw that almost on a weekly basis this season. However, have any of you heard of the statement “down but not out”? Sure you have. Here’s my point- each of the playoff teams have one thing in common: they each lost a game somewhere down the road on their schedule that was lousy, but they likewise found a way to reach the four team playoff. And boy did they earn it!
I know some of my buckeye brethren are asking ” why God?”. It’s elementary my dear fighting urbans– Alabama lost only one game and their strength of schedule was better than Ohio St. Plain and simple. If Ohio St beats Oklahoma and doesn’t get embarrassed on the road to Iowa, I think the committee puts them in instead of Alabama, but that didn’t happen. Now the Crimson Tide are playing in the playoff while the Buckeyes will play USC in the Cotton Bowl.
Georgia turned fortune in their favor but redeeming a loss that left a sour taste in their mouth. Winning the SEC Championship for the first time since 2005, Kirby Smart and company now have a shot at the big dance. If they keep playing with the same amount of intensity that they have all season(minus the Auburn loss), they could be partying like it’s 1980 in Athens.
Clemson proved again they are the cream of the ACC crop by beating the Miami Hurricanes 38-3 and winning their third straight ACC Title. It truly is amazing what Dabo Swinney has done at Clemson. This team is no longer the team that does less with more- they’re now legitimate contenders every year. Now the Tigers will play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on New Years for the another rematch and another shot for the National Championship.
The Oklahoma Sooners have once again made it to the playoff after taking care of TCU and winning the Big XII Title. Now they prepare to take on UGA and their stingy defense. This will be a huge test for Baker Mayfield and the Sooners. Will they be able to move the ball willingly against the bulldogs? Also, will they be able to find a way to contain Georgia’s strong running game? This Rose Bowl Bowl game will be a very compelling match up.
Rose Bowl– Georgia vs. Oklahoma, January 1, 2018
Sugar Bowl– Alabama vs. Clemson January 1, 2018
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