The semi-finals have produced an intriguing matchup for the national championship, wouldn’t you say?
As most of us probably expected, Oregon rolled over FSU in the Rose Bowl, 59-20. They would have won even without the Noles’ five turnovers. As a Nole hater, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to see Jameis Winston brought back down to earth, especially that spastic fumble when he was about to be sacked. The 39-point loss is Florida State’s largest since 1983 and the largest ever in a bowl game.
After the game, in true Seminole fashion, the majority of the Seminoles left the field before the customary post-game handshake with the Oregon players. Winston was not one of them who eschewed the handshake. However, several Oregon players are facing discipline over mocking Winston after the game. Poor sportsmanship is the plague of modern sports, seen at every level.
Even as the crappy sportsmanship was unfolding in Pasadena, seven-point favorite Alabama was preparing to dispatch so-called pretender Ohio State in New Orleans. Only they didn’t. In a battle of megabucks coaching genius, Urban Meyer and his Schmuckeyes* bested the robotic Nick Saban. Final score: 42-35. Cardale Jones had another great day. The third-stringer could start on my team anyday, even if he is an idiot who once stated that he didn’t go to college to play classes. Zeke Elliott simply took care of business, smashing Bama’s vaunted interior defense for 230 yards on the ground.
There was no display of poor sportsmanship by the losing team in New Orleans. I’ve always felt that Crimson Tide fans and the players in their program are classy.
So, who do you like in the final, to be played on January 12 in the Jerrydome? Oregon opened as a 7-point favorite in the sports books. You think tOSU is for real yet? Anyone else thinking Cinderella?
*I know I just got done bitching about poor sportsmanship but now here I go disparaging the Schmuckeyes as a sparkling example of my journalistic hypocrisy.
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Joe says
Well, from the vantage point of my living room sofa, I expected The Fighting Ducks to beat the ‘Noles and they did in a more convincing fashion than I think anyone suspected and after watching the Bucknuts gasp and wheeze through the first quarter, I was surprised how they clearly dominated the Tide for the rest of the game. Mr. Jones looked like at certain points he was just chuckin’ the pigskin in the general vicinity of his receivers and hoping one of them would make a play, but in the end he made enough plays with his arms and legs in conjunction with Elliot’s runs to put this away. I honestly had not been that impressed with ‘Bama earlier this season, but they seemed to catch fire late when we all know it counts. Hats off to the Bucknuts (I don’t consider this disparagement, as I truly don’t like OSU and Herr Meyer) but they did shut up the “B1G can’t beat the SEC” debate for awhile.
I’m leaning toward the Ducks as I don’t know if OSU can maintain the tempo at which they run plays. Twelve seconds, that’s just plain insane! I also think the Ducks proved they can handle a “beefcake” offensive and defensive line (FSU), and I don’t think OSU’s is any “beefcakier” (poetic license I suppose). I also don’t know if Cardale Jones can perform at the level he has for one more big stage game. I’m thinking they win by a TD. Also Herman will be pre-occupied with his new gig at Houston; just sayin’.
On a separate note, what the hell does Urbz do with his 3 QB’s?? I honestly think Miller leaves (Duke with Cutcliffe have been rumored the most) and especially with Tom Herman going to Houston. I think Miller knows Urbz is as cutthroat as they come and will tell Miller he’s in the mix to start now if he comes back, but he’ll jettison him like a moldy orange if he thinks he has a better chance to win with Barrett or Jones. And if Miller thinks he’s got a shot to play on Sunday’s, he won’t want to risk his dreams to showing up and riding the bench for his last season of elligibility.
On a second separate note, looks like Bell has been officially scratched from playing on Saturday against the Ravens. Shame, because with him, I thought the Steelers had a chance to make a run to the AFC championship game.
And on a final separate note, I was very impressed with Sparty’s come from behind win over Baylor. Guess The Bears really didn’t belong in the playoffs after everything was said and done.
The Nittany Turkey says
But the question about whether TCU should have been included remains begged, albeit somewhat mitigated by tOSU’s vindicating performance.
My belief regarding Urby and the Schmuckeyes? If he can win a SSMNC with Tebow, he can keep these guys playing at the top of their game, too. I just said a whole lot of nothing there. Oregon is formidable, and I still haven’t made up my mind whether tOSU can be competitive against them. I had gone into the playoffs believing that Oregon could put 50 points on anybody, and that with the Mariota Heisman and all, this would be their year. I’m still leaning in their direction. But never, ever count Pope Urban LXIX out when push comes to shove.
Moo U. under Pope Dantonio was impressive, as was Wisconsin under Pope Alvarez. I expected the Badgers to play like they did in the B1G championship game, especially because they were playing for a placeholder coach, but Barry always seems to be able to get the boys’ juices flowing. I didn’t necessarily like the way Auburn lost — seems like Wisconsin backed into the win — but those are the breaks of the game.
As I write this, Shitt on Pitt is wiping up Amon G. Carter Stadium with Houston, much to the chagrin of the 1,432 assembled Texans in the stands. Later, we’ll watch Iowa go down to Tennessee, UCLA get Wildcatted, and the Cowboys get bitten by the Huskies.
Yeah, LeVeon is out against the hated Ravens, and I am worried, inasmuch as he is such a large component of the offense — not just his running and occasional reception but also his omnipresent threat of a run keeping the defense honest setting up play action to Brown. I hope Haley has some good ideas.
—TNT
The Nittany Turkey says
I guess Pitt went to sleep!
—TNT
Joe says
Turned it off when they were up 34-20 with about 6+ minutes to go. Was kinda shocked when I saw the final. Narduzzi is going to have some work to do. Saw that Iowa didn’t help the cause today either!
Joe says
Well I rationalized Baylor over TCU as a suitable entry in the fab four prior to the selection committee’s decision, simply because they beat TCU. Never understood why TCU was always ranked higher than the Bears. Maybe one of us will get Archie Manning’s slot on the selection committee for next season.
Big Al says
I wasn’t as impressed with Oregon as everybody (i.e. ESPN) seems to be. The ‘Holes were moving the ball pretty easily against Oregon’s defense until the 4 consecutive turnovers. No team can turn the ball over 4 times in a row and expect to win. Admittedly, Oregon’s defense earned the turnovers in some cases, but good ball security would have prevented most of them. Shameless’s fumble will be “remembered for centuries” (per that stupid effing song ESPN plays incessantly) and featured prominently in football blooper reels.
I’ll be rooting for the Ducks, but I fully expect the Schmuckeyes to win by 10 points or so. Oregon won’t be able to stop the run without moving their safeties into the box and that will open up Cardell’s jump ball passing attack. Oregon will score over 30 points, but tOSU’s defense will contain them better than the ‘Holes did. After all, the ‘Hole’s defense sucked this year.
I also predict that Urbz will not have a quarterback controversy next year. Cardell will flunk out next semester and one of the other two quarterbacks will be ineligible because of NCAA and/or criminal violations.
Happy New Year everybody – even K John.
The Nittany Turkey says
Happy New Year to you, Al. You cracked me up with Cardale flunking out. From an academic perspective I’m still wondering why he’s there. OSU must have consulted with North Carolina to create academic scenarios to employ the unemployed.
—TNT
psudrozz says
You just know if al davis were alive he would insist on drafting winston.
Dan Snyder will probably take him. Which is really just as fun.
Go ducks.
The Nittany Turkey says
Butbutbut Snyder already has RGIII.
Happy New Year, Drozz.
—TNT