Now for the cherry on top of the 2014 College Football Season: the First-ever College Football Playoff. This feels both like it’s been a long time coming, and also that it got here much more quickly than most of us anticipated when the season began. The advent of the playoff added drama to this season the likes of which the college football landscape has not seen. Here’s to the CFP itself being a rousing success over the final two weeks of what has been a remarkable season.
LWOS Bowl Preview: National Semifinal Games
Rose Bowl Game Presented By Northwestern Mutual, 5:00 p.m., January 1st, ESPN/ESPN3:
Oregon vs. Florida State
The storylines here are plentiful, and all are compelling. The last two Heisman Trophy winners facing off head-to-head. Two star head coaches (Mark Helfrich and Jimbo Fisher), who have started their careers about as well as any coaches, well, ever. And two programs who have operated at the highest level of college football for most of the past decade (Oregon) or longer (Florida State).
It is odd to say, but Oregon has been the more consistent team this season, by far. It is odd, since Florida State is the reigning National Champion who has won 29 consecutive games over the past two seasons. Aside from an early-season slip-up at home against Arizona—and an inexplicable near-miss against mediocre Washington State, the Quack Attack has been dominant. The Noles, on the other hand, have had several Houdini-worthy escapes in 2014 alone.
Oregon Offense vs. Florida State Defense:
Marcus Mariota won the 2014 Heisman Trophy, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Maxwell Award…well, we don’t have time or word count enough to list all of the awards Mariota took home this season. He deserved each and every piece of hardware that he collected. Royce Freeman is a beast, and very difficult to tackle, and the receiving weapons are too numerous to mention. Florida State’s Defense has been strong when needed, and particularly good in the second half of games this season. That said, the Seminoles’ unit was barely in the top third among all FBS defenses this season, and they will be challenged mightily by the Ducks’ #3 ranked scoring offense.
Florida State Offense vs. Oregon Defense:
Say what you will about Jameis Winston, but he was as clutch as ever during 2014. His ability to set aside off-field distraction—and shake off poor early game performances—is positively preternatural. The bad news is that FSU’s rush offense ranks only 103rd in the nation. As Stanford has shown in the PAC-12 North, the best way to neutralize the Oregon offense is to keep it off the field. FSU figures to have a hard time accomplishing this. Additionally, the Oregon defense that lost to Arizona early in the season redeemed itself in the PAC-12 Championship Game against the very same Wildcat team, even without standout CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who will also miss the Rose Bowl due to injury.
Prediction:
The Seminoles run has been memorable and historic. It ends this year on New Year’s Day. Oregon has too much on offense, and an improved-enough defense to goad Winston into a turnover or two. This one will be too much Mariota for the Noles to overcome.
Oregon 43, Florida State 31
Allstate Sugar Bowl, 8:30 pm, January 1st, ESPN/ESPN3:
Alabama vs. Ohio State
It was suggested on Twitter that the undercard for this game should be a little hand-to-hand combat at midfield between the opposing coaches. I am all for this, as it would be must-see TV. Coach Saban and Coach Meyer are well-acquainted from their days clashing with one another in the SEC. The two of them bring six (6) national championships into this game, so the credentials on the sidelines are impeccable.
Alabama Offense vs. Ohio State Defense:
Blake Sims struggled to claim the starting QB job at the beginning of the season, and he nearly lost his grip on it a few times during the first half of the year. He really turned it on late in the season, though, and is now in full command of Lane Kiffin’s newly installed offense. OSU’s defense has been proficient, and it is coming off of a tour-de-force performance in the B1G Championship Game. This half of the matchup will be very even.
Ohio State Offense vs. Alabama Defense:
Alabama’s defense is the 4th ranked scoring defense in all of FBS, and Nick Saban is notoriously great at preparing his troops to play really well in big games, particularly after a long layoff. This bodes ill for Cardale Jones, who played really well in the B1G Championship Game, but who is still a third-string QB with only one start under his belt. OSU’s offensive attack has been well-balanced all year, but that will be tested against the strong (and deep) front seven of Alabama, and the defensive signal-calling of All-American Safety Landon Collins. Color me nervous for young Cardale’s health, and who knows what the Buckeyes will do should he be unable to complete this game.
Prediction:
This game should be a battle, for about 2 ½ quarters. Urban Meyer will have his troops ready, and will have a solid gameplan for all three phases. At some point, though, it will come down to execution, and Alabama’s defense will make three or four plays that young Cardale Jones will not be able to overcome. Coach Saban will have an opportunity to play for his fifth national title next week.
Alabama 31, Ohio State 21
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