Things have a changed a bit since January, 2010, when Syracuse last hosted Football's Final Four. That day in 2010, not only was the weather different, gorgeous spring-ish sun back then compared to this year's light flurries, but that teams were Alabama taking on Florida, followed by Texas and Boise State. Fast forward to 2023, and only Bama is back; the Gators, Horns, and Broncos seem a ways off from Final Four returns.
Back then, two underdog seeds won their Semi's: Tim Tebow leading Florida past Alabama in an SEC rematch, and Boise State taking Texas playing without their star QB. After six of the closest set of games in tournament history, all eyes were on Syracuse to see how the next step in the tournament progressed.
SYRACUSE SEMI-FINALS:
GAME 1: #1 Georgia 33, #5 Alabama 7
Leading up to this Semi-Final, Alabama was a popular pick to pull an upset. The Saban mystique, not having played each other yet this season, questions about the Dawg defense, and coach Kirby Smart seeming a bit tight as a drum, all fed into the notion that Tide QB Bryce Young and his team would pull out a win.
But Georgia was ready for a battle. Bulldogs started the scoring with Jack Podlesny's 24 yard field goal to grab the head. But Young hit a 60 yard pass to give the Crimson Tide first and goal. From the 2 yard line, Young rolled left but found an open path to the end zone, and Alabama took a 7-3 lead with 4:45 to go in the first. But Georgia responded, on Adonai Mitchell's 10 yard pass reception from Stetson Bennett with 2:43 left in quarter one, and the frame ended with Georgia up 10-7.
The Bulldogs never looked back. Their defensive pass rush steamrolled Bama and Young was harassed all game. The Tide was shut out in the second quarter, and Georgia added another Podlesny field goal with 8:30 left in the half, and Bennett called his own number, ran left, gets a block, and #13 cruised into the end zone for a touchdown on a 21 yard run with 26 seconds left until the break. Halftime, Georgia 20, Alabama 7.
Georgia defensive dominance continued in the second half, and with 2:17 left in the third, Georgia QB Bennett stood in the pocket and connected with wide, wide open Ladd McConkey five yards deep in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown pass. UGA up 27-7. With 7:23 left in the game, Georgia's Bennett kept it himself, ran left without a defender with yards of him, to increase Georgia's lead over Alabama to 33-7, after Podlesny's PAT failed.
Georgia makes a big step toward their second straight title and clear SEC dominance, and move on to SoCal's SoFi Stadium for the championship game.
GAME 2: #6 Tennessee 35, #2 Michigan 19
The second game matched two teams that won by a single point in their quarterfinal bowl game, but the first Football Final Four appearance by Michigan during the Jim Harbaugh era (he did make a Semi-Finals along with Andrew Luck and Stanford) had a unique storyline, as former Wolverine QB and Tennessee transfer backup Joe Milton III made another start with season long star starter Hendon Hooker out for the post-season. Milton had last game upset Ohio State, would his former matriculation also feel the pain of an SEC victory over the Big Ten?
Michigan took the opening drive to midfield, but Vol defensive back Tamarion McDonald picked off Wolverine QB J.J. McCarthy to give the Tennessee the ball. After a key 3rd and 13 play resulted in a 42 yard Milton pass completion, the Volunteers drive continued until Milton hit running back Jamari Small for a 15 yard TD with 9:39 left in the first quarter. Michigan responded with a systematic drive downfield, but Jake Moody missed a 51 yard field goal with 4:07 left in the first quarter. Both teams exchanged punts, when Tennessee had the ball back with 11:40 left in the second quarter. The Vols 80 yard drive included a Milton 29 yard pass and later a Michigan unnecessary roughness penalty against Milton. Finally, Milton hit tight end Princeton Fant for a 2 yard touchdown pass with 7:36 left in the first half, for 14-0 Volunteer lead.
Michigan drove down field again, leading to a Moody 41-yard field goal attempt. But Moody's attempt was blocked, and Tennessee ran the ball back for a special teams touchdown with 4:19 left. Seemingly suddenly, Michigan was down 21-0 at halftime.
Tennessee received the second half kickoff and went right to work. With 11:15 left in the third, Vols freshman running back Dylan Sampson ran in an 18 yard touchdown, increasing the lead to 28-0. Finally. Michigan scored on A. J. Henning's kickoff return, to get on the scoreboard 28-7. The two teams exchanged punts, and the Tennessee had a very succinct scoring drive: two Jaylen Wright runs, of 8 and 45 yards, the latter for touchdown. With 3:26 left in the 3rd, it felt like it was all wrapped up. Vols up 35-7.
Michigan did all the scoring in the fourth, with a 49 yard field goal by Moody, blocking a Vol punt through the end zone for a safety, and a QB McCarthy 20 yard run. The variety of scoring was admirable, but not enough. Milton was victorious over his former team, winning 35-19. Next up, a re-match with Georgia for the national title.
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