With defending champion Alabama as top seed, defending runner-up Ohio State, and returning semi-finalist Clemson back at the three seed, certainly there would be some opportunities for rematches in the works. ESPN’s pre-tournament prediction put Bama and the Buckeyes back in the championship game, but this time with OSU prevailing as national champions. The hot pick was for the resurgent sixth seed Michigan team to upend third seed Clemson, and Semi-Finals host Minneapolis was anxious for up to four Big Ten representatives in their shiny new dome.
First Round:
Green Bay: Wisconsin 31, USC 24 (OT) - It was the bizarro Rose Bowl, with the Badgers finally getting some west coasters in their neck of the woods. Heavy snowfall proceeded the game by a day, and the temperatures on game day were in the 30’s, so not exactly “frozen tundra”-esque, but definitely not a day at the beach. Early on though, Trojan receivers made it look easy, grabbing passes one-handedly like it was no problem. However, the Badgers and Trojans went back and forth, with Wisconsin holding the lead in the waning seconds. USC's Matt Boermeester made a 46-yard field goal with five seconds to go to tie the game and extend to overtime. But Wisconsin persevered, scoring a touchdown on the first possession, and USC could not match. Wisconsin advances to play top seed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Arlington TX: Oklahoma 27, Western Michigan 16 – Western Michigan received their opportunity to be in the tournament, and with the game played in the luxurious Cowboys stadium, Broncos fans felt like they were experiencing a real bowl atmosphere. However, the Sooners were too much for Western Michigan, winning by 11 in a game that never seemed that close.
The Bowl Round:
Sugar Bowl – Alabama 24, Wisconsin 5 – Though they did not appear in the 2010-2011 tournament, Alabama had not lost a Bowl game quarterfinal game since the 2009 35-17 Rose Bowl loss to USC. As usual, the Tide answered the call. Alabama shut down the Badgers offense, and led 10-0 after the first and 17-0 at halftime. The Badgers finally scored a field goal and a safety when Bama’s punter took one intentionally, and Alabama cruised 24-5.
Rose Bowl: Washington 51, Penn State 49 – After years of excitement coaching Boise State, Chris Peterson returned Washington to the tournament fold, and the Rose Bowl had another traditional match-up of the Pac-12 and Big Ten, with Penn State returning to the tournament for the first time since 2008-2009. It looked bleak for the Nittany Lions early, with the Huskies jumping to a 17-0 lead tFirst Round:
Green Bay: Wisconsin 31, USC 24 (OT) - It was the bizarro Rose Bowl, with the Badgers finally getting some west coasters in their neck of the woods. Heavy snowfall proceeded the game by a day, and the temperatures on game day were in the 30’s, so not exactly “frozen tundra”-esque, but definitely not a day at the beach. Early on though, Trojan receivers made it look easy, grabbing passes one-handedly like it was no problem. However, the Badgers and Trojans went back and forth, with Wisconsin holding the lead in the waning seconds. USC's Matt Boermeester made a 46-yard field goal with five seconds to go to tie the game and extend to overtime. But Wisconsin persevered, scoring a touchdown on the first possession, and USC could not match. Wisconsin advances to play top seed Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Arlington TX: Oklahoma 27, Western Michigan 16 – Western Michigan received their opportunity to be in the tournament, and with the game played in the luxurious Cowboys stadium, Broncos fans felt like they were experiencing a real bowl atmosphere. However, the Sooners were too much for Western Michigan, winning by 11 in a game that never seemed that close.
The Bowl Round:
Sugar Bowl – Alabama 24, Wisconsin 5 – Though they did not appear in the 2010-2011 tournament, Alabama had not lost a Bowl game quarterfinal game since the 2009 35-17 Rose Bowl loss to USC. As usual, the Tide answered the call. Alabama shut down the Badgers offense, and led 10-0 after the first and 17-0 at halftime. The Badgers finally scored a field goal and a safety when Bama’s punter took one intentionally, and Alabama cruised 24-5.
Rose Bowl: Washington 51, Penn State 49 – After years of excitement coaching Boise State, Chris Peterson returned Washington to the tournament fold, and the Rose Bowl had another traditional match-up of the Pac-12 and Big Ten, with Penn State returning to the tournament for the first time since 2008-2009. It looked bleak for the Nittany Lions early, with the Huskies jumping to a 17-0 lead to end the first quarter. But by halftime, Penn State narrowed their deficit to 27-21, and held the lead after three frames at 35-34. However, a last second field goal rescued Washington, and the Huskies won a high scoring 51-49 Rose Bowl.
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma 25, Ohio State 13 – With Ohio State having defeated Oklahoma both during the season and in last season’s Sugar Bowl, of all possible upsets, the Sooners winning in Arizona was not prognosticated at all. The Buckeyes held that form early, leading 3-0 after the first quarter. But the Buckeyes seemed to be sleepwalking as Oklahoma took a 15-13 halftime lead. The dozing continued as Oklahoma prevailed, 22-13, as the Sooners were an unexpected semi-finalist.
Orange Bowl: Clemson 33, Michigan 13 – The Wolverines were a popular choice to knock off the Tigers of Clemson in Miami. The Michigan defense, however, seemed to fail to get the memo, as they gave up big play after big play, and Clemson shocked all to jump to a 20-0 halftime lead. Michigan never challenged, and Clemson advanced 33-13.
So with Minneapolis hoping for as many as four Big Ten teams, the conference went 0-4 during the bowls, and none will make their way to Minnesota for the semi-finals.
Semi-Finals Minneapolis:
Game 1: Alabama 24, Washington 15 – Hope sprang eternal in Seattle that Chris Peterson could bring his Boise State magic to a new level with the Huskies. Although the Huskies showed signs of contention early, Bama never worried, taking the win.
Game 2: Clemson 35, Oklahoma 22 – With the Sooners being the surprise entry into Football’s Final Four, there was a sense that they were playing with house money. But Clemson, after losing by two to Ohio State in the Semi-Finals, had a mindset that there was still work to do. The Tigers roared their way into the championship game, winning 35-22.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – TAMPA
Clemson 35, Alabama 31 – jumping to a 17-0 lead to end the first quarter. But by halftime, Penn State narrowed their deficit to 27-21, and held the lead after three frames at 35-34. However, a last second field goal rescued Washington, and the Huskies won a high scoring 51-49 Rose Bowl.
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma 25, Ohio State 13 – With Ohio State having defeated Oklahoma both during the season and in last season’s Sugar Bowl, of all possible upsets, the Sooners winning in Arizona was not prognosticated at all. The Buckeyes held that form early, leading 3-0 after the first quarter. But the Buckeyes seemed to be sleepwalking as Oklahoma took a 15-13 halftime lead. The dozing continued as Oklahoma prevailed, 22-13, as the Sooners were an unexpected semi-finalist.
Orange Bowl: Clemson 33, Michigan 13 – The Wolverines were a popular choice to knock off the Tigers of Clemson in Miami. The Michigan defense, however, seemed to fail to get the memo, as they gave up big play after big play, and Clemson shocked all to jump to a 20-0 halftime lead. Michigan never challenged, and Clemson advanced 33-13.
So with Minneapolis hoping for as many as four Big Ten teams, the conference went 0-4 during the bowls, and none will make their way to Minnesota for the semi-finals.
Semi-Finals Minneapolis:
Game 1: Alabama 24, Washington 15 – Hope sprang eternal in Seattle that Chris Peterson could bring his Boise State magic to a new level with the Huskies. Although the Huskies showed signs of contention early, Bama never worried, taking the win.
Game 2: Clemson 35, Oklahoma 22 – With the Sooners being the surprise entry into Football’s Final Four, there was a sense that they were playing with house money. But Clemson, after losing by two to Ohio State in the Semi-Finals last season, had a mindset that there was still work to do. The Tigers roared their way into the championship game, winning 35-22.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – TAMPA
Clemson 35, Alabama 31 – Last season, Clemson came in as top seed but could not make it to the championship game, and second seed Alabama took home the title. This season, Clemson was a third seed, and many expected them not to get past the Orange Bowl versus Michigan. But this was the year of the Tigers!
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