One of the greatest tournaments has a big finish with #4 Alabama winning 2017-2018 Title

Certainly 2017-2018 provided one of the most memorable tournaments of college football history.  Close games, over-times, upsets, underdogs; THIS tournament had it all!

Prior to the tournament, many expected #1 seed Clemson to repeat as champion.  In fact, that is how ESPN projected the tournament to conclude.  Note that due to the guidelines to avoid re-matches from the regular season, #8 Auburn, seen as a dangerous team, would play #3 Oklahoma if they survived undefeated Central Florida, because the Tigers already played #1 Clemson and #2 Georgia previously this season.

The tournament kicked off in quaint Statesboro, Georgia, where Auburn played #9 seed Central Florida. UCF QB McKenzie Milton threw two touchdown passes and ran for 116 yards with another touchdown, leading the Knights to a 34-27 win. UCF (13-0) led 34-20 before having to stop a late Auburn comeback. Antwan Collier's interception in the end zone with 24 seconds remaining clinched the win.  Auburn was held to 90 yards rushing on 44 carries.  "That was probably the main stat that was disappointing for me," Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said.  More dominance: The Knights sacked Jarrett Stidham six times. Auburn had only one sack.  After Auburn took a 20-13 lead in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Kerryon Johnson, Milton threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Otis Anderson to tie the game. Milton, under pressure,  Milton, under pressure, zipped an 8-yard scoring pass to Dredrick Snelson early in the fourth to give the Knights the lead.  Chequan Burkett's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown pushed the lead to 14 points, and Knights fans could taste yet another win.  Next up, #1 Clemson downstate from Orlando in the Orange Bowl.

Next, San Diego hosted #7 USC and #10 Penn State in the second First Round game.  Penn State took the opening kickoff and stormed right down the field, capped with a pretty 48-yard touchdown pass to DaeSean Hamilton from Trace McSorley.  USC bumbled, stumbled, and fumbled throughout the first half with Sam Darnold throwing an interception and losing two fumbles, in addition to Deontay Burnett losing a fumble.  Penn State capitalized adding five first half field goals in the first half, jumping to a 22-0 lead.  Finally under the two minute mark, USC scored on Ronald Jones II's one yard run, to cut the lead to 22-7.  Penn State maintained control, with USC only adding a field goal in the fourth quarter.  At 22-10, Penn State's win was the only game margin more than a touchdown in the tournament.  "We kind of shot ourselves in the football in this game," USC coach Clay Helton said. "You're putting a hurt on your defense, and it led to points early in the game, and separation early in the game."  PSU coach James Franklin said, "Our coaches did a fantastic job and the O line protected and the receivers made plays. We were very efficient. We executed."  Next up, Penn State moves on to the Cotton Bowl to face #2 Georgia.

Clemson as both top seed and defending champion started their effort to repeat at the Orange Bowl, against undefeated Central Florida.  But it was obvious early that the loss of previous season QB Deshaun Watson to the NFL had impacted the Tigers ability to dominate.  In the first quarter, Clemson did score on two Alex Spence field goals, and UCF scored on a McKenzie Milton touchdown pass.  After a scoreless second quarter, UCF went into the locker room ahead 7-6.  Central Florida added a field goal in the third quarter to extend to 10-6, and although there was a feeling that Clemson would pull it out at some point, crucial errors by besieged Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant kept the Tigers from adding to their score.  UCF fans went wild as the clock wound down on a stunning upset, as the undefeated Knights held on in the Orange Bowl.  "Just incredibly disappointed in our performance," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "But congratulations to Central Florida. They were the better team today. No doubt about it."

Central Florida would next take on the winner of the highly anticipated Rose Bowl between #4 Alabama and #5 Ohio State.  The Buckeyes were ready early, as Andy Pappanastos hit a 24 yard field goal, but Alabama responded with Andy Pappanastos' 24 yard field goal and Calvin Ridley's 12 yard TD pass from Jalen Hurts, and Bama carried a 10-3 lead into the second frame.  OSU QB JT Barrett rolled right off tackle, and tied the score at 10-10 in the second, where the score remained until halftime.  In the third, Barrett ran it in from 28 for a Buckeye lead, but Alabama responded with two touchdowns, including a Da'Ron Payne one yard TD reception from Jalen Hurts, and Bama held the lead after three quarters, 24-17.   Both defenses kept the offenses off the score board in the fourth, and the Crimson Tide held on to a Rose Bowl victory and trip to Houston for the Semi-Finals.  "This game was about our identity as a team," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "I don't think anybody would doubt our relentless attitude out there. We had a warrior-like mentality."

If the top half of the bracket had some good games, they had nothing on the bottom of the bracket.  The Cotton Bowl hosted #2 Georgia and #10 Penn State.  Penn State started the scoring in the first frame on a Saquon Barkley two yard run.  Georgia responded with Jake Fromm's 13 yard pass to Sony Michel. Penn State's field goal provided a 10-7 lead at the end of the quarter.  A minute into the fourth quarter, Michel broke away for 75 yard touchdown run to give the lead back to the Bulldogs.  But Penn State bounced back, with a one yard TD run by Miles Sanders, then a 92 yard explosive burst by Barkley for the score.  Georgia's Rodrigo Blankenship ended the half with a 55 yard field goal to cut the PSU lead to 24-17.  Early in the third, Georgia's Nick Chubb ran it in from 50 yards out to tie the game.  Nittany Lion DaeSean Hamilton's 24 yard pass from Trace McSorley put PSU back in front, but Michel's 38 yard TD run at the end of the third locked the game at 31-31.  Georgia's Fromm tossed a four yard pass to Javon Wims early in the fourth, but then two Penn State TDs gave them the lead as the clock wound down on regulation.  But with 55 seconds left, Chubb's two yard run tied it up at 45-45.  In the second play of overtime, Michel ran 27 yards for a touchdown.  On fourth down McSorley had an open man to tie up the game, but a Bulldog linebacker leapt to knock down the pass, and Georgia survived to play another day.

If that was close, #3 Oklahoma and #6 Wisconsin were going to take that to another level in the Fiesta Bowl.  Oklahoma started fast and Wisconsin seemed a bit subdued, and Sooner Marquise Brown caught a 13 yard pass from Baker Mayfield, and teammate Rodney Anderson's nine yard run provided a 14-0 first quarter lead.  Oklahoma added another 41-yard Anderson TD run early in the second, but then the Alex Hornibrook show began.  The Wisconsin QB tossed three unanswered TD passes (two to Danny Davis III and one to AJ Taylor), and the Badgers evened it up.  The Sooners answered with Mayfield receiving a two-yard pass from CeeCee Lamb for a 28-21 halftime lead.  In the third quarter, the Badgers slowed the Oklahoma momentum, holding them scoreless, and adding two field goals to pull within one point.  Oklahoma added a field goal, but a Hornibrook to Davis six yard TD pass gave the Badgers a 34-31 lead.  But Sooners tied it up, on Austin Seibert's 38 yard field goal.  In the first overtime, both Seibert and Wisconsin's Rafael Gaglianone connected on field goals.  But in the second OT, Gaglianone scored his field goal, but Siebert missed a 27-yard attempt, and Wisconsin, once down 21-0, emerged with a 40-37 2 OT victory.  They will next play Georgia in Houston in the Semi-Finals.

Houston's Semi-Finals included Central Florida versus Alabama and Georgia versus Wisconsin.  In the opener, Central Florida was coming off wins versus Auburn and Clemson, and their momentum continued against Alabama during the first half.  As UCF went to the halftime locker room, shockingly they led the Tide by one point.  Could the Knights do it again?  But in the second half, Jalen Hurts and the Tide turned up the heat, and pulled away for a 34-22 victory.  

The nightcap featured #2 Georgia, highly motivated to return to Atlanta, starting off strong against Wisconsin looking for another game against Alabama, this time for the championship.  Georgia and QB Jake Fromm was strong early, leading by ten at halftime, and maintaining a nine point lead going into the final frame.  But with less than a minute to go, Wisconsin had cut the lead to two, and Badger QB Alex Hornibrook had the ball back.  Like their previous game against Oklahoma, Wisconsin was up for a challenge.  But eventually the clock led to their demise.  As time expired Hornibrook completed a long pass to the Georgia 17-yard line, but no opportunities for laterals and no Bulldog penalty flags meant that the comeback was over.  Georgia emerged victorious, 30-22.  Atlanta awaits.

For a tournament full of excellent games and high drama, the championship game in Atlanta was the perfect topping and ending. To add another championship to the greatest dynasty college football has ever seen, Alabama turned to its quarterback of the future, and Tua Tagovailoa proved that his time is now.  The freshman quarterback, who had played mostly mop-up duty this season, came off the bench to spark a comeback and threw a 41-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith that gave #4 Alabama a 26-23 overtime victory against #1 Georgia for the national championship.

Tagovailoa entered the game at halftime, replacing a struggling Jalen Hurts, and threw three touchdown passes to give the Crimson Tide another national championship under coach Nick Saban.  "He just stepped in and did his thing," Hurts said. "He's built for stuff like this. I'm so happy for him." The Tide might have a quarterback controversy ahead, but first Alabama will celebrate another title.

What was Saban thinking as the winning pass soared this time?

"I could not believe it," he said. "There's lots of highs and lows. Last year we lost on the last play of the game and this year we won on the last play of the game. These kids really responded the right way. We said last year, `Don't waste the feeling.' They sure didn't, the way they played tonight."

Smith streaked into the end zone and moments later confetti rained and even Saban seemed almost giddy after watching maybe the most improbable victory of his unmatched career. After Alabama kicker Andy Pappanastos missed a 36-yard field goal that would have won it for the Tide (13-1) in the final seconds of regulation , Georgia (13-2) took the lead with a 51-yard field goal from Rodrigo Blankenship in overtime.

Tagovailoa took a terrible sack on Alabama's first play, losing 16 yards. On the next he found Smith, another freshman, and hit him in stride for the national championship.

Quick Mabel, turn on the 2017-2018 College Football Tournament selection show

Welcome to the 2017-2018 College Football Tournament selection show, sponsored by Portillo’s.  Now to the ESPN Studios, with Rece Davis, Mark May, and Lou Holtz.

RECE:  Welcome to our 2017-2108 College Football Tournament selection show, and welcome back guys.  It’s my old pals Coach Lou Holtz and Mark May.  How have you been doing guys?

LOU: Well Rece, I am so happy to be here with you fellas, I think we have a great tournament ahead of us, and I can’t wait to see what teams are selected and who goes where.  It has been a pretty crazy year for college football, none of the Power Five teams are undefeated, and I think anything can happen this year.

RECE: And we started the weekend with fifteen teams that we thought would make the ten-team tournament.  They were the twelve teams in the six conference games that could win to make it in, and some of those could lose and make it in as a wild card team, and three other teams we still thought could make it in as a wild card.  Those teams are Alabama, Penn State, and Washington.  So this past weekend, six teams controlled their own destinies and qualified, the Power Five champions USC, Georgia, Oklahoma, Clemson, and Ohio State.  Plus the top ranked champion from the Group of Five conferences will automatically qualify, and that most certainly is undefeated Central Florida.  So the teams that lost their conference championships and we believe to be out of contention for wild card spots are Stanford, Memphis, and most likely, TCU.  So that leaves twelve teams out there, six conferences champions, and possible Wild Cards Alabama, Penn State, Washington, Auburn, Wisconsin, and Miami.  

So Mark, it seems likely we can project the top five teams, correct?

MARK: Yes Rece, we see the top five seeds as Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State.  And that is where the confidence ends, because who will fill out the other five seeds and where they are ranked is truly up for grabs, much more so than other years.

RECE: So coach, who do you see for that sixth seed, the final team that can avoid a First Round game?

LOU: I think it is going to be Central Florida, and I’ll tell you why.  They are the only undefeated team but I think the important thing is that the computers will love them, because most of the computers don’t use final score, so Central Florida will really benefit from that.  So watch for that.

MARK: Coach, I think it will be Wisconsin at the sixth seed. They are the remaining Power Five team with just one loss, plus, unlike the other conference championship teams that lost, they were in it until the end, whereas Auburn, Miami, and TCU all lost by a wide margin.

LOU: But Mark, Wisconsin has been criticized for their strength of schedule all year, and I think that will push them down to the First Round games.

RECE:  And I think it will be USC in the sixth spot.  A conference champion, with a very good strength of schedule.  Look out for the Trojans.

So, I think we can all agree that two of the Wild Cards will be Alabama and Wisconsin. Mark, who will join them, Miami, Auburn, Penn State, or Washington?

MARK: I think it will be Auburn and Penn State.  Auburn’s high ranking before the SEC championship, plus they played four games against the top four teams in the country, I think that will give Auburn the nod for one spot.  The other will be Penn State, they are well positioned to make it in with two losses.  Miami and Washington will not make the tournament this year. 

LOU: No Mark, it has to Penn State, I agree, but Washington has to be the other Wild Card.  They, like Penn State, ended the season on positive notes.  Washington beat Washington State 41-14 to end the season.  Auburn has three losses, and lost by three touchdowns to Georgia in their last game.  Huskies deserve it more Mark.  Much, much better finish. 

MARK: But as sure we are about the top five seeding, is as unsure we are about the lower five.  A team like Auburn might be the sixth seed, or, out of the tournament altogether.  I cannot remember a tournament with this level of uncertainty.

LOU: Oh Mark, that is so true.  We don’t have a clue who’s in, who’s out, seedings; it’s all is a mystery. 

RECE: But now Coach and Mark, we will solve all of the mysteries surrounding this year’s tournament.  Let’s go to Brent Musberger in Atlanta. Brent?

BRENT:  You are looking...LIVE at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, Georgia, the site of this season's College Football Championship game.  Hi there everybody, ten teams will play to win here, and take home the BCS championship trophy. And now, it is time for the Silk® Nog Original bracket presentation.

Let's go to tournament Commissioner Nelson, who will reveal the 2016-2017 tournament. Commissioner..."

COMMISIONER: Thank you Brent. It is my yearly pleasure to announce the teams that will be playing in the BCS College Football Tournament.

In the First Round, in San Diego, the seventh seed, the Trojans of the University of Southern California, champions of the Pac-12, will play the tenth seeded Penn State Nittany Lions, at-large team from the Big Ten Conference.

The other First Round game will be played in Statesboro, Georgia, on the campus of Georgia Southern, where the eighth seed and at-large team from the Southeastern Conference, the Tigers of Auburn University, will take on the ninth seed, and champion of the American Athletic Conference, the University of Central Florida Knights.

Now, let's move onto the BCS Bowl quarterfinals. Either Central Florida, USC, or Penn State will move on to the Orange Bowl, to play the top seed and defending champion, the Clemson University Tigers, champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The winner of the Orange Bowl, will take on the winner of the Rose Bowl, which will feature the fourth seed, the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama, at-large from the Southeastern Conference, and fifth seeded champion of the Big Ten Conference, the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University. 

Either the USC/Penn State winner or sixth seeded Wisconsin will move on to the Cotton Bowl, to play the number two seed, and champion of the Southeastern Conference, the Bulldogs of the University of Georgia.

The Cotton Bowl winner will take on the winner of the remaining quarterfinal game, the Fiesta Bowl, which will feature the third seed, the Sooners of the University of Oklahoma, champions of the Big XII, who will play either the sixth seed, at-large from the Big Ten Conference, the Badgers of University of Wisconsin or Auburn, if they are victorious.

The winners of the BCS quarterfinals will meet in New Orleans for Football's Final Four, and the winner of the semi-finals will play for the BCS Championship, right here, in Atlanta.

BRENT: Thank you Commissioner, it shapes up to be a stupendous tournament. Three questions, sir.  What was the bubble team that was closest to make the field, secondly, you allowed Ohio State to play Oklahoma even though they played during the fall schedule, why not allow Auburn to play Clemson if they win.  Lastly, why a First Round game in Statesboro. Georgia?    

COMMISH:  Brent, all great questions.  Miami of Florida was the team closest to making the field, but was not particularly close to Penn State in the standings for the last at-large slot. 

Last season was unique in that the entire bottom half of the bracket of eight had played Ohio State during the fall schedule: Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan.  So having a rematch was unavoidable.  This year, Wisconsin will play Georgia if Auburn wins and will play Oklahoma if Central Florida wins, because Auburn has already played Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama among the top four.  Georgia and Oklahoma were razor close in the final standings, so we did not think it was a disadvantage for the sixth seeded Badgers to play Georgia in the scenario that Auburn wins.

Lastly, Central Florida, as an automatic qualifier, has regional advantage over at-large Auburn.  However, if the Knights win, they will play in the Orange Bowl against Clemson, and we have guidelines of only one game with home state advantage, so we wanted to find a venue outside of Florida.  We felt Atlanta was too close to Auburn to be fair to UCF, and it would not be fair to have them play in Jacksonville.  So, we are thrilled to take the tournament to Statesboro, Georgia, at the wonderful Georgia Southern stadium, and part of the Savannah, Georgia metropolitan region.  

Choosing these First Round sites is one of the fun parts of being on the BCS Committee, however, one of our discussion points is whether the tournament should return to eight teams.  The situations that created the need for a ten-team tournament have changed over the last few years.  The Big East, now the AAC, no longer has an automatic bid, with that bid going to the top conference champion of the non-Power Five conferences.  Also, consolidation teams within the Power Five conferences have changed the dynamic of teams vying for slots.  Teams like Utah and TCU used to be outside the Power Five, but deserving a slot in the tournament.   These teams are now part of the Power Five.  When we started the ten-team tournament, that first season we had five undefeated teams one-loss Iowa was the tenth seed.  We have not seen that lately.  Last season was unique in that the entire bottom half of the bracket of eight had played Ohio State during the fall schedule: Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan.  So having a rematch was unavoidable.  This year, Wisconsin will play Georgia if Auburn wins and will play Oklahoma if Central Florida wins, because Auburn has already played Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama among the top four.  Georgia and Oklahoma were razor close in the final standings, so we did not think it was a disadvantage for the sixth seeded Badgers to play Georgia in the scenario that Auburn wins.

BRENT: Wow, you really do know your stuff Commissioner Nelson; so impressive.  But this last point is shocking.  Can you tell us whether next year’s tournament will be a ten-team affair?   

COMMISH: Yes, next year will be a ten-team tournament, but we may have some news, one year from now.

BRENT:  Well, thank you sir, lots of big news here in Atlanta, let’s get back to Rece, Coach Holtz, and Mark in the studio.  Men…

BRENT:  Thank you Commissioner, and now back to Rece at the studio.

(microphones pick up unsuspecting continuing conversation)

BRENT: Good job Commissioner. You did fine.

COMMISH:  Thank you Brent, you add an air of dignity to the surroundings.

BRENT: Bless you sir, some time I would like to mention on the air my new venture, Vegas Stats & Information Network.

COMMISH: No thanks

(back to the studio)

RECE:  Wow, that had some real big surprises!  I think we all were certain that Oklahoma would be number two seed in the Cotton Bowl, but no, Georgia moves all the way up to the second seed and the Cotton Bowl, and Oklahoma out to the Fiesta Bowl.

LOU: Rece, we sure did.  I hope those Oklahoma fans can get refunds on their hotels near Dallas.  Hope they didn’t use Hotwire or that the bought that insurance, because Georgia gets to go to the Cotton Bowl and a nice path to the championship: Cotton Bowl, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

MARK: Right coach, we have been saying all season that the championship in Atlanta and Semi-Finals in New Orleans would be a nice path for the SEC teams.  And Georgia will have some playing locations that could really be an advantage for them.

LOU: And we have been talking how about how these sites are good for the SEC teams, but I think Clemson received a really nice number one seed.  They play in the Orange Bowl that could lead to New Orleans and then Atlanta.  That’s a nice little road for the number one seed. Very advantageous for the Tigers.

RECE: Yes, like Alabama last season, the number one seed Clemson is the defending champion.  Mark, any other thoughts on the bracket as you take a look at it.

MARK: Yes, I see the side of the bracket with Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio State as the place every other team wants to avoid.  That is why I like Wisconsin’s position.  I am certain that they are disappointed to lose the Big Ten title game, and lose the chance to be a top two, or even number one seed.  But if Auburn wins their game with Central Florida, Wisconsin will go to the Cotton Bowl against Georgia.  A game in their own time zone against a team that I think they match up very well against.  Even if the Central Florida wins, and Wisconsin has to play Oklahoma, I still think that is better than being over on the other side of the bracket.  Because they played Clemson and Georgia, Auburn is also guaranteed to play in the Oklahoma side of the bracket, but they have a much tougMARK: Yes, I see the side of the bracket with Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio State as the place every other team wants to avoid.  That is why I like Wisconsin’s position.  I am certain that they are disappointed to lose the Big Ten title game, and lose the chance to be a top two, or even number one seed.  But if Auburn wins their game with Central Florida, Wisconsin will go to the Cotton Bowl against Georgia.  A game in their own time zone against a team that I think they match up very well against.  Even if the Central Florida wins, and Wisconsin has to play Oklahoma, I still think that is better than being over on the other side of the bracket.  Because they played Clemson and Georgia, Auburn is also guaranteed to play in the Oklahoma side of the bracket, but they have a much tougher path than Wisconsin, playing Central Florida first then maybe travelling all the way to Arizona.

But like I said, avoiding the Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State will be a prime motivator, so USC and Penn State are going to be the biggest Central Florida fans in the world this month, because if Central Florida wins, the winner of their game plays Georgia in the Cotton Bowl.  Auburn wins?  They have to go to Miami and play defending champion, number one seed Clemson.  Trojans and Nittany Lions will be root, root, rooting for the Knights.

RECE: But Coach, why is the Georgia/Oklahoma side of the bracket considered less intimidating, they are the number two and three teams in the country?

LOU: Well Rece, think about it.  Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio State represent the last two champions, Alabama and Clemson, and the last two runners-up, Alabama and Ohio State.  All these three teams have great coaches that have won national titles.  On the other hand, Georgia has not been in the tournament for years and Kirby Smart has not coached in the tournament.  Oklahoma made the Final Four last season, but they have a brand new, rookie head coach in Lincoln Riley.  Georgia and Oklahoma are great teams, don’t get me wrong, but Clemson, Alabama, and Ohio State have built great “programs,” and that is why they have the experience and the coaching staffs to be successful in this year’s tournament.

MARK: Coach, I also want to add about Baker Mayfield.  He is the type of talent that can carry a team on his back to win the national title.  But we have seen for years, Heisman Trophy winners underachieving in the post-season.  And it is not a jinx, but there are added time commitments for the guys who win it, and distractions, plus a little added pressure.  Baker is a “player,” but we saw two years ago, when the Sooners were easily handled as fourth seeds, that Oklahoma needs more than his play to advance at this level.

To get back to some of the surprises of the bracket reveal, Penn State at number ten seed.  We thought they were positioned to be solidly in the tournament.  Teams they needed to lose lost: TCU, Stanford, Miami, Auburn.  Yet all that happened, and they barely make it in as tenth seed.  If Miami had hung in there a little closer to Clemson, Penn State might have been on the outside looking in.

RECE: So guys, prediction time.  Who do you like to win it all?

MARK: Rece, all year we have been saying there is big gap between Alabama and the rest of the teams.  Just because Alabama lost on the road to their rival Auburn does not mean Alabama is no longer the top of the class.  I think being the fourth seed, having to go to Pasadena for their first game, being on a tough side of the bracket, these things will not be a burden for the Crimson Tide, they will be a motivator to raise their game, and not suffer a letdown.  I like Nick Saban and Alabama.

LOU: I really think Clemson is going to take the title.  Like I said, such a nice path to the championship in Miami, New Orleans, and Atlanta.  Yes, it is difficult to repeat, but they have a lot of new faces who want to prove they are just as good as last year’s team.  The Tigers will take it.

RECE: Alright, and how about a sleeper team to watch, that could take it all?

LOU: Keep your eyes on the only undefeated team, Central Florida.  They also have a nice path, they might play a game in Florida, two games in Georgia, and a game in New Orleans, that is a nice group of locations for a team from Orlando.  Yes, they play Clemson if they beat Auburn, but Central Florida playing in Miami is not going to be a pushover for Clemson.  UCF can flat out play.

MARK: Like I said before, I like Wisconsin’s situation, but let me add another, the number ten seed, the Penn State Nittany Lions.  They had a very difficult stretch in their schedule, lost a heartbreaker at Ohio State.  Then the next week, played well at Michigan State until a long storm delay interrupted the game for hours, and the Spartans prevailed.  Penn State might be as good as anybody in the country.  Especially if they beat USC and then play Georgia in the Cotton, I can see Penn State making a run.

To look at the totality of the bracket, there is a case to be made that USC and Central Florida are not at the level of the other teams, which means Auburn and Penn State will advance out of the First Round.  So we could have Auburn beating Oklahoma, Georgia overTo look at the totality of the bracket, there is a case to be made that USC and Central Florida are not at the level of the other teams, which means Auburn and Penn State will advance out of the First Round.  So we could have Auburn beating Oklahoma, Georgia over Wisconsin, Alabama over Ohio State, and Clemson over Penn State.  So could we see three SEC teams plus Clemson in New Orleans?  And Georgia-Auburn III?  

LOU: No, no, we don’t want Georgia-Auburn III.  That would be terrible.  We really need to re-seed the teams so that would not happen.  Come on Commish, re-seed them.

RECE: I think the Commissioner is still with Brent in Atlanta.  Brent, did Commissioner Nelson hear Lou’s fervent pleas?

BRENT: Yes Rece, we have been listening closely to you folks back at the studio.  Commissioner Nelson, what do you think of Coach’s idea, to re-seed so Georgia and Auburn would not play for a third time?

COMMISH: Coach, you make a great point.  Again, years ago, the prospect of teams playing a third time was not possible, so we have to adjust with the times.  But my contention to consider:  Is Georgia-Auburn III better to be played as a Semi-Final or a National Championship?  I think setting it up as a possible championship game may be a worse scenario.

BRENT: Thanks Mr. Commisioner, back to Rece, Coach, and Mark.

RECE: So a couple final notes, after two years with Alabama as the only SEC representative in the tournament, as Mark alluded to, three SEC teams this year.  Also, the past two seasons, the last team out was Florida State, and this year, another ACC team was last team out Miami.  Pre-season, we were expecting an Alabama-Florida State battle for number one.  Alabama held form for most of the season, Florida State ended up 6-6.  We should note, seven of the ten team’s from last year’s tournament are back, Michigan, Western Michigan, and Washington not returning.  Look for some new teams looking to contend, as schools like UCLA with Chip Kelly and Texas A & M with Jimbo Fisher adding coaches with strong resumes that might shake up the status quo.

So let's look at the tournament bracket one more time:

FIRST ROUND:

In San Diego:

7 USC

10 Penn State

 

In Statesboro, GA:

8 Auburn

9 Central Florida

 

BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):

Orange: 

1 Clemson

Central Florida/USC/Penn State

 

Rose: 

4 Alabama

5 Ohio State 

Cotton: 

2 Georgia 

USC/Penn State/6 Wisconsin

Fiesta:

3 Oklahoma  

6 Wisconsin/Auburn

SEMI-FINALS in New Orleans

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BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Atlanta

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They’re GRRRREAT! Clemson defeats Alabama for the 2016-2017 National Championship

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!

Quick Maude, Turn on the 2016-2017 College Football Tournament Selection Show!

Welcome to the 2016-2017 College Football Tournament selection show, sponsored by Brother Doug's Pizza.  Now to the ESPN Studios, with Rece Davis, Mark May, and Lou Holtz.

RECE:  Welcome back to our College Football Tournament selection show, and welcome to my old, dear friends Lou Holtz and Mark May.  How have you been doing coach?

LOU: Well I am just dandy and so excited that it is time to be back here, and see, who is going to play in this wonderful tournament.   You know it's going to be a dandy! 

RECE:Guys, we started the weekend with eighteen teams that we thought had a shot at a bid to the ten team tournament.  Those were the ten teams vying for the Power Five conference championships, in addition to Western Michigan, Navy, and Temple, who seemed most likely to get the Group of Five bid, and then Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, USC, and West Virginia, who we believed to be the most serious contenders for a Wild Card spot.

Since then, we can say, for certain, Washington, Oklahoma, Alabama, Clemson, and Penn State are in, winning their conference.  Of the eighteen, we can say Navy is out, as are Virginia Tech and Florida, as teams that lost conference championship games and do not have a real chance at a Wild Card.  So that puts us at fifteen schools.  And Mark, I think most of the drama is in the middle of the bracket, the top and bottom are pretty clear.  So let's start at the top, who is the top seed?

MARK: Rece, I agree, no drama there, the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide will be top seed.  Nick Saban's program is unbelievably consistent. Alabama last missed the tournament six years ago, and this will be the sixth consecutive year, that the Crimson Tide will be a top three seed.

LOU: That is amazing Mark.  No debate here, Alabama is undefeated, and the defending tournament champion, by golly, no let down there, I tell you, that is something.

RECE: How about second seed, a prized place in the tournament, because you face a team who had to play a First Round game, like the top seed does.  Who do you like Coach?

LOU: Well, I would like to see Washington as second seed.  I know people are talking, Ohio State, Ohio State, but Washington had to play a conference tournament game, and they won it.  Ohio State stayed home this week.   I like the Huskies.

MARK: But coach, it will be Ohio State, as number two seed.  Actually, Clemson is the team who could have used the ACC championship game to vault over the Buckeyes, but their performance was just not as strong as needed to get a top two seed.

RECE: So there is not much drama at the top, but seeds three to six are going to be very interesting, because making the top six means no First Round game.  And we have Washington and Clemson with one loss, they are in the top six.  So now we have two more slots, and conference champions Oklahoma and Penn State plus, highly ranked Michigan for those last two places in the top six.  This is a big deal.

LOU: Oh yes it it is, you don't want to have to play a First Round game, that is one thing, but then to have Alabama waiting for maybe the next opponent.  No, you don't want to be outside the top six.  I think it will be Oklahoma and Penn State filling out the top six.  These are conference champions, so they deserve it.  Michigan though is still a threat to win this whole tournament, even with a seven seed, they are so well coached, they are scary.  But they should be out of the top six.

MARK: No Coach, for seeds three through six, it will be Clemson, Washington, Michigan, and Penn State.  Oklahoma will be seventh seed, and with a great likelihood that they play Alabama even if they win the First Round game.  They played Ohio State already this year, so the guidelines to  avoid regular season rematches may mean they get Alabama, probably in the Sugar Bowl.

RECE:  So with Ohio State and Michigan grabbing Wild Card slots, two more remain.  Mark who do you see taking those last spots?

MARK:  I think it will be Wisconsin and USC.  Coming into the weekend, Florida State had a Wild Card spot, but I think Wisconsin's loss knocked the Seminoles out of the tourney, because I think Jimbo Fisher's team would have remained above a losing Penn State team.  I think the ACC will lose a bid after the Big Ten championship game.

LOU:  I think it has to be Wisconsin and Colorado in those last two spots.  They finished the season with two losses, then had to play a conference championship game.  They should not have to pay a price for a great season, and some teams sitting home, like Florida State or Southern California getting into the tournament.  Aww, that is not right.  And what about West Virginia, a two loss team?  Why are these three loss teams being talked about and not the Mountaineers?  It does not make a lick of sense.

RECE:  Lastly, I said there was not much drama at the top of the bracket or the bottom, it looks like Western Michigan is in good shape for that Group of Five bid for the highest ranked champion.

LOU: I agree, I thought Western Michigan was in no matter what the Naval Academy did in their game against Temple.  In fact, don't be surprised if Western Michigan is an eighth seed or ninth seed, and not tenth.

MARK:  I agree.  You know every year, we think it is going to be the previous year's Group of Five representative, and certainly it looked like Houston was in line this year.  They beat Oklahoma and Louisville, yet still lost three games in their conference.  Boise State also looked like they had a great opportunity and their loss to Air Force doomed their chances.  The Group of Five teams have done very well in the tournament, such as Houston beating Iowa last year, but the one exception was Northern Illinois, a MAC team.  So it may be a tough game for the MAC's Western Michigan.  But they are undefeated, and deserve a chance to face off with the Power Five teams. 

RECE: Men, it is time to go to Brent Musburger in Tampa, and all our questions will be answered.  Brent?

BRENT:  You are looking...LIVE at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Florida, the site of this season's college football championship game.  Hi there everybody, ten teams will play to win here, and take home the BCS championship trophy. And now, it is time for the Soups of RevEli bracket presentation.

Let's go to tournament Commissioner Nelson, who will reveal this year's tournament. Commissioner..."

COMMISIONER: Thank you Brent. It is my yearly pleasure to announce the teams that will be playing in the 2016-2017 BCS College Football Tournament.


In the First Round, in Arlington, Texas, the seventh seed, the Sooners of the University if Oklahoma, champions of the Big XII, will play the tenth seeded Western Michigan Broncos, champions of the Mid-American Conference.

The other First Round game will be played in Green Bay, where the eighth seed and at-large team from the Big Ten Conference, the Badgers of the University of Wisconsin, will take on the ninth seed, and at-large team from the Pac-12 Conference, the University of Southern California Trojans.

  

So let's move onto the BCS Bowl quarterfinals. Either Wisconsin, Oklahoma, or Western Michigan will move on to the Sugar Bowl, to play the top seed and defending champion, the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama, champions of the Southeastern Conference. 

The winner of the Sugar Bowl, will take on the winner of the Rose Bowl, which will feature the fourth seed, champion of the Pac-12 conference, the Huskies of the University of Washington, and fifth seeded champion of the Big Ten Conference, the Nittany Lions of Penn State University.
 

Either Oklahoma, USC, or Western Michigan will move on to the Fiesta Bowl, to play the number two seed, and at-large of the Big Ten Conference, the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University.

The Fiesta Bowl winner will take on the winner of the remaining quarterfinal game, the Orange Bowl, which will feature the third seed, champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Clemson University Tigers, who will play the sixth seed, at-large from the Big Ten Conference, the Wolverines of University of Michigan.

The winners of the BCS quarterfinals will meet in Minneapolis for Football's Final Four, and the winner of the semi-finals will play for the BCS championship, right here, in Tampa.

BRENT: Thank you Commissioner, it shapes up to be a whale of a tournament. Two questions.  What was the bubble team that was closest to make the field, and secondly, both Wisconsin and Oklahoma have played Ohio State this season.  If both win, who will play the Buckeyes?  

COMMISH:  Brent, just as last season, Florida State was the team closest to making the field, but was not particularly close to USC in the standings for the last at-large slot.  

If both Oklahoma and Wisconsin wins, it will be based on the bracket, and seventh seeded Sooners will play Ohio State.  If USC wins, they will play the Buckeyes since the Trojans have played Alabama early in the season.  Great questions Brent.

BRENT:  Thank you Commissioner, and now back to Rece at the studio.

(microphones pick up unsuspecting continuing conversation)

BRENT: Good job Commissioner. You did fine.

COMMISH:  I hope people don't compare me to previous seasons' tapes, I am now a 2XL.  I'm hideous. 

BRENT:  Oh yes, they always notice, I bet there will be a meme or two of you on-line later today.  You just get used to it.  

I know I spend most of my time on the SEC Network, do you think I will get a chance to be on ESPN for the Sugar Bowl?  After all, the SEC champ will be playing.

COMMISH:  I will do my best Brent.  I wish you were at the Rose Bowl and introducing the Indy 500.  We miss you. 

BRENT: Bless you Commissioner. 

(back to the studio)

 RECE:  So Mark, what do you think?

MARK: Rece, I was a bit surprised to see Penn State move up and over Michigan for that fifth spot.  It will be a traditional Rose Bowl of champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12, but not great for Clemson.  The Tigers have played inconsistently, and we have a history of third seeds struggling in this tournament, such as Michigan State losing to Stanford last season.  With Michigan in the offing, not only a dangerous team for Clemson, but a team that could take the entire tournament, I see trouble for the Tigers. 

LOU: Well, they probably ranked Penn State so highly because one of their losses was to Pitt, Mark, so that must make you happy.  No really, interesting game, USC going to Lambeau Field to play Wisconsin.  Remember when Wisconsin played Clemson in Green Bay five years ago, and Russell Wilson lead Wisconsin to the win, and then almost beat top seed LSU?  USC is hot, and boy, they are going to need some heat to play in Green Bay, boy. 

RECE: So let’s make some predictions. Mark, give me some teams that you think could go all the way.

MARK: Rece, I think it is very hard to repeat, but Alabama may be the class of the field.  Another team from further down the bracket to watch is Michigan.  They play Clemson, then maybe a rematch in Minneapolis against Ohio State.  The Wolverines might take it all. 

LOU:  You know, I really like Washington.  They had two tough games to play, Washington State and Colorado, and just blew them away.  I think they are really ready.  Their coach, Chris Peterson always had Boise State teams that did well in the tournament, so that is some great experience.  And Urban Meyer at Ohio State, they came close last year to the final game, the Buckeyes might like a rematch with Alabama also. 

RECE: A couple things to notice: only one SEC team for the second year in a row.  Who would have thunk that a few years ago.  Same with no Florida schools, at one time unthinkable, especially with the championship in Tampa.  Lastly, can the Semi-Final site of Minneapolis be dreaming of a final four of Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan?  Well, stranger things have happened.    

So let's look at the brackets one more time:

FINAL TOURNAMENT MATCH-UPS!:

FIRST ROUND:

In Arlington, TX:
7 Oklamoma
10 Western Michigan
 
In Green Bay:
8 Wisconsin
9 USC
 
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):

Sugar: 
1 Alabama
Wisconsin/Oklahoma/Western Michigan
 
Rose: 
4 Washington
5 Penn State

Fiesta: 
2 Ohio State
USC/Oklahoma/Western Michigan

Orange:
3 Clemson 
6 Michigan


SEMI-FINALS in Minneapolis

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BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Tampa

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Crimson Tide swallows up the Buckeyes; Alabama cruises to the National Championship, 47-7

Glendale, Arizona could not ask for a better match-up for the BCS National Championship than the rabid fan bases of #2 Alabama and #5 Ohio State.  And Alabama fans were foaming at the mouth for another championship.  Appearing in six of the last seven Football’s Final Fours is quite a feat for the Crimson Tide, but a sole national title, a 21-2 win over LSU four seasons ago, has Bama fans wanting more crowns.

To win it all, Alabama would have to oust Urban Meyer’s Ohio State Buckeyes.  In 2009-2010, Nick Saban and the Tide were denied a title by Meyer’s Florida team lead by Tim Tebow.  After beating Florida in the SEC Championship showdown of undefeateds, Alabama received their comeuppance in the Semi-Finals, losing the rematch to Florida.  

This time, it was Saban’s team who started on all cylinders.  After finishing the scoring with a kickoff return for a touchdown in the Semi-Finals against Stanford, Alabama’s Kenyan Drake returned the opening kickoff 100 yards to get the Tide fans rolling.  Six minutes later, Bama QB Jake Coker hit Calvin Ridley on a 14 yard pass TD play to put the Buckeyes in an early hole.

Alabama unveiled a bit of trickery in the second quarter, with Heisman winning running back Derrick Henry throwing his first ever collegiate pass to O.J. Howard for a 16 yard TD play, and Alabama held Ohio State scoreless to take a 21-0 lead to the locker room. 

The second half showed no sign of change, and Henry added a 1-yard TD plunge to extend the lead in the third.  The fourth quarter was an absolute Tide deluge, as Alabama added another Henry TD, two field goals, and a 43 yard interception return for a score, and Bama was up 47-0.

Ohio State finally added a Braxton Miller TD run, but this night belonged to Alabama, as they cruised to a 47-7 BCS National Championship win.

The SEC returned to the top of the college football world after three seasons of non-SEC winners.

FINAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:

FIRST ROUND:

In Shreveport, LA:
7 Iowa 16
10 Houston 34
 
In Chicago:
8 Notre Dame 28
9 Texas Christian 30
 
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):

Orange: 
1 Clemson 37
9 Texas Christian 22
 
Sugar: 
4 Oklahoma 17
5 Ohio State 31

Peach: 
2 Alabama 38
10 Houston 8

Rose:
3 Michigan State 0 
6 Stanford 29


SEMI-FINALS in San Antonio

1 Clemson 40
5 Ohio State 42

2 Alabama 45
6 Stanford 36
 
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Glendale, Arizona

2 Alabama 47
5 Ohio State 7

San Antonio Semi-Finals: Ohio State nips Clemson, Alabama rallies past Stanford

The Alamodome was the perfect place for a couple of real San Antonio shoot-outs in the Semi-Finals of the BCS National Championship Tournament.  And Texas Christian QB Trevone Boykin must not have been serving as local tour guide for the teams, because the players found no trouble along the RiverWalk.

In the spirit of “quality over quantity,” three of the Power Five conferences had only a single tournament team, but the lone representative of the ACC, SEC, and Pac-12 all made it to Football’s Final Four.  Of course, quantity didn’t hurt the Big Ten, with three teams in the tournament, and Ohio State, the one that didn’t win a division, also makes the trip to San Antone. 

GAME 1: #5 Ohio State 42, #1 Clemson 40

Compared to the second game, these were a couple of relative newbie programs to Football’s Final Four.  It was the first appearance for the top seeded Tigers of Clemson, and the first time in five years, and first time for coach Urban Meyer, for Ohio State. 

The talented troupe of Buckeyes that Urban Meyer has assembled was ready for the task.  Michael Thomas 15 yard pass reception from J.T. Barrett gave OSU the early lead.  But unlike a jittery first half in their Orange Bowl win against TCU, Clemson responded immediately.  Deshaun Watson hit Hunter Renfrow with a 31 yard TD pass midway through the first, then ended the frame with a 11 yard pass to Renfrow.  Clemson entered the second quarter leading 14-7, and would take that lead to halftime after a scoreless.

Halftime, 14-7?  San Antonio was supposed to be filled with shootouts!  Well, the shootout was coming, don’t worry.    OSU QB Barrett hit Michael Thomas on a 50 yard TD pass play to tie, the game, and the Buckeyes struck again on an Ezekiel Elliott 1 yard TD run, to give Ohio State a 21-14 lead.   But Clemson fought back, with a Greg Huegel field goal, followed by Wayne Gallman’s 1 yard TD run, and the Tigers regained the 24-21 lead. 

But Clemson gave up too many big plays in the fourth quarter.  J.T. Barrett’s 13 yard TD run gave the lead back to Ohio State to start the fourth quarter fireworks.  Tigers kicker Huegel‘s 31 yard field goal narrowed the OSU lead to 28-27.   Elliott ran in another 1 yard TD run, though, and the Buckeyes lead by 8.  Artavis Scott caught a 15 yard TD strike from Deshaun Watson, but Watson’s run on a two-point conversion came up short, in a key play for Clemson.  

With just over a minute to go, OSU QB Barrett ran it in from 5 yards out, and things looked good for the Buckeyes with a 9 point lead.  Clemson was not done though, and Watson threw a 24 yard TD pass to  Jordan Leggett with 12 seconds remaining.

Clemson’s last chance onside kick was recovered by Ohio State, and the Buckeyes held on to the 42-40 victory.  Urban Meyer returns to familiar territory, the BCS Championship Game, but this time with OSU.

GAME 2: #2 Alabama 45, #6 Stanford 36

Here are two teams familiar with being in Football’s Final Four.  Alabama’s 6 trips over the past 7 years are truly impressive, and Stanford’s 4 appearances over the last six seasons also is quite a feat.  In their only head to head over this period in the Semi-Finals, Stanford shocked Alabama three years ago.  With that history in place, plus Bama’s Heisman winner Derrick Henry facing Cardinal Heisman runner-up Christian McCaffrey, fans expected a great second act on Semi-Final day.

And Tide running back Henry showed his skills early, with a 50 yard touchdown run to start the scoring.  But the Cardinal were not backing off, and McCaffrey scored on a 75 yard pass from Kevin Hogan to tie the score.  Hogan added an 8 yard TD run, and Stanford had the lead at the end of the first quarter, 14-7.

The second quarter belonged to the Crimson Tide.  Henry’s 1 yard TD run and an O.J. Howard 53 yard reception from Jake Coker put Bama up at halftime, 21-14.  But the pendulum swung back to Stanford after the break.  Quenton Meeks 66 yard interception return tied the game, and then McCaffrey’s 63 yard punt return for TD put Stanford back on top, 29-21. 

Alabama’s Adam Griffith 33 yard field goal brought the game closer in the fourth quarter, but his subsequent onside kick recovered by the Crimson Tide brought the house down.  Two plays later, Coker’s 51 yard pass Howard pushed the pendulum way back to Bama, and they lead 31-29.  Henry added another 1 yard TD run, and pushed the lead to 9.  Austin Hooper 10 yard TD pass reception from Hogan cut the lead to 2, but Kenyan Drake’s 95 yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave Alabama the final cushion they would finish with, a 45-36 victory. 

Nick Saban and Urban Meyer will meet again, this time in the BCS Championship Game, and Alabama will try to win their first title since 2011-2012.

UPDATED TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:

FIRST ROUND:

In Shreveport, LA:
7 Iowa 16
10 Houston 34
 
In Chicago:
8 Notre Dame 28
9 Texas Christian 30
 
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):

Orange: 
1 Clemson 37
9 Texas Christian 22
 
Sugar: 
4 Oklahoma 17
5 Ohio State 31

Peach: 
2 Alabama 38
10 Houston 8

Rose:
3 Michigan State 0 
6 Stanford 29


SEMI-FINALS in San Antonio

1 Clemson 40
5 Ohio State 42

2 Alabama 45
6 Stanford 36
 
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Glendale, Arizona

2 Alabama
5 Ohio State

Sugar Bowl: Ohio State wins The marquee game; defeats Oklahoma 31-17

The Sugar Bowl between #4 seed and Big XII champion Oklahoma and #5 at-large invite Ohio State was the game circled on many tournament brackets since selection Sunday.  Many see the winner of this game to have a legitimate shot at the National Championship.

During the first drive of the game, Oklahoma’s offense showed the electricity that made them a popular choice to win the title.  Behind Samaje Perine runs, and Baker Mayfield passing, the Sooners moved right down the field, until Perine ran it in for 1 yard out for the touchdown.  But Ohio State was up for the task, and running back Ezekiel Elliott’s big day started with a 2 yard TD run.

After the 7-7 first quarter, scoring alternated in a fast paced finish to the first half, as an Elliott 1 yard run was followed by a Sooner Austin Seibert 22 yard field goal.  Then another Elliott 1 yard run, followed up by a Mark Andrews 11 yard pass from Mayfield continued the back and forth scoring.  OSU led at halftime 21-17.

But the Buckeyes imposed their will in the second half, holding Oklahoma scoreless, as Elliott added a 47 yard TD in the third quarter and Buckeye kicker Sean Nuernberger hit a fourth quarter field goal.

The marquee game’s plot fizzled in the second half, but the story line coming out of this game was that Ohio State is a team to watch in this tournament, and fears no others.

UPDATED TOURNAMENT RESULTS!:

FIRST ROUND:

In Shreveport, LA:
7 Iowa 16
10 Houston 34
 
In Chicago:
8 Notre Dame 28
9 Texas Christian 30
 
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):

Orange: 
1 Clemson 37
9 Texas Christian 22
 
Sugar: 
4 Oklahoma 17
5 Ohio State 31

Peach: 
2 Alabama 38
10 Houston 8

Rose:
3 Michigan State 0 
6 Stanford 29


SEMI-FINALS in San Antonio

1 Clemson
5 Ohio State

2 Alabama
6 Stanford
 
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Glendale, Arizona

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