Ohio State: Journey to being champs

Arguably the most impressive college football playoff run we will ever see! (even with the two losses)

The National Champions were crowned last night as The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Atlanta. This is a relief for the Buckeyes as they haven’t won a title since 2014 under Urban Meyer. They managed to go 14-2 on the season while knocking off five top 5 teams, and two other teams ranked in the top 10. The Buckeyes are now the only team in history to have won a BCS championship, 4-team National Championship and the 12-team championship. Granted, this is the first rendition of the 12 team format. Ohio State was able to win the first renditions of both playoffs and continue to build their overall program resume.  

At the beginning of these playoffs the Buckeyes were questioned as they have “the most expensive roster in the country” but, they ended up under achieving in the regular season. The regular season ended in a loss to their biggest rival as 19 point favorites. Head coach Ryan Day was scrutinized the most as he has had arguably the most talented roster in the country for a couple of years now. The Buckeyes and Day were not able to win when it mattered most. The pressure at Ohio State is indescribable and when the Buckeyes don’t bring championships home to Columbus you can face a lot of scrutiny. Everyone in the country, even in the state of Ohio, seemed to have written off the Buckeyes after they didn’t win a conference championship and suffered a loss to their rival. Many believed they shouldn’t have been invited into the 12 

team playoff. 

Ryan Day and his Buckeyes soon put all the critics and negative statements to rest as they played Tennessee at home in the first round. They ended up tearing them apart and earned some of their fan bases hope and support back. The next game they had to travel to Pasadena and play the number one undefeated team in the country. Many believed that it was a one game fluke against Tennessee and that they wouldn't be able to defeat the Ducks. They were wrong, as they were able to avenge their loss from earlier in the regular season as they dismantled Oregon. Along the way the Buckeyes were doubted but, going into the semi final game against Texas they were favored and basically penciled into the national title game according to the majority of folks. This can be tough on a team and it puts even more pressure on the Buckeyes. The Longhorns were fortunate that they got to be the underdogs and basically having home field advantage as the game was in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State ended up winning this game, but they did not look as dominant as the previous two games. They looked beatable for once in the playoffs and this adds more pressure for the final game of the season. Last night the Buckeyes played aggressive, relentless and physical. No matter who was on the other side of the field the Buckeyes were not going to allow another team to hoist that trophy. 

Ohio State really benefited from the new playoff format. In previous years you would not be able to lose two games in a season, let alone one game. This format allows teams to have an off week and grow throughout the season. The resilience the Buckeyes were able to display in these playoffs was arguably the reason they were granted so much success. All of the draftable players that decided to come back for one last year, the transfers they got in the portal, the recruits and even the NIL donations. This year really was “natty or bust” as Ohio State pushed in all of their chips to get to this moment. Ryan Day and his team went through so much adversity throughout this season. They fought through injuries, losses, and most importantly media and negativity. But, no one stood in their way, they all worked extremely hard for this result and they deserve credit. Now that the game is over and they are champions, Ryan Day has a weight lifted off of his shoulders. He still needs to beat Michigan next year but I believe this playoff run taught him a lot. Just trust your players and play to your strengths. It was able to win you a national title. Why can’t it work in the regular season? Next year the Buckeyes will turn over a new page in their story book as they will be faced with a lot of roster turnover. The Buckeyes will be fine as they always replenish talent and have their two best players in Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs coming back. This national championship will change the whole outlook of the program moving forward.

College Football Semi Final Previews

Notre Dame vs Penn State

The Irish and the Nittany Lions will face off in the Orange Bowl. Penn State has had the easiest path to the semi final out of the whole field. Whereas Notre Dame had to get through Georgia and Indiana to make it here. 

Penn State: After suffering the loss to Ohio State earlier in the season the Nittany Lions have been able to get their offense going also putting it together with their great defense. In my opinion, Penn State got the lucky draw as they would have struggled to create a game plan against Georgia. The Nittany Lions look to be pretty healthy going into this matchup as they were able to dominate the first round and quarterfinal games. They will be going into the game with their best player Abdul Carter questionably as he suffered an injury against Boise State. 

Notre Dame: The way the Irish dominated the Bulldogs in the trenches was impressive. They are more battle tested than Penn State but, could those games have tired them out? They have a significant injury in Jeremiyah Love as he suffered a lower body injury early in the game against Georgia. The only worry I have with the Irish is Riley Leonard has yet to still showcase a great passing attack. He can run the ball very effectively but when needed can he make that throw?

Prediction: I believe this game is going to be a defensive battle. They both like to play the same style of game, run the ball, play physical, and play field position. Drew Allar could be the difference maker in the game, he needs to go out and throw the ball and free up room for Singleton and Allen. He has been inconsistent at times through the season but he has shown he could beat you with his arm. Penn State can win this game by throwing the ball down the field forcing the Irish to drop their great safeties and then they can pound the rock. While Notre Dame needs to keep playing their game that has gotten them here as they dominate you in the trenches and then start teeing off. If they can keep the passing attack from Penn State to a minimum then they can play their game. I believe that Penn State just doesn’t have the “killer instinct” that the Irish seem to have right now. It will be back and forth all game until the 4th Quarter where then the Irish will start springing some runs loose. 21-17 Notre Dame

Ohio State vs Texas

The Buckeyes and the Longhorns will face off in the Cotton Bowl as the Longhorns get to have a glorified home game as the game is in Dallas. Texas has had a pretty easy path to the semi final game whereas Ohio State has had the hardest path to get here. 

Texas: The Longhorns have one of the best rosters in college football and have been talked about being a national championship contender all season. They have struggled against good teams all year and they were not very impressive against Arizona State in the quarterfinal game. They have tendencies to let off the gas pedal in the second half causing the opposing teams to get right back into a position to win. The best part of the Longhorns team is that they have great depth and nearly every single position on the field. Their strongest position is their secondary which they will definitely be tested against the Buckeyes. Texas has not seen a wide receiver room as stacked or even remotely close to as talented as Ohio State. They are also a little banged up as they have gone through this run in the playoffs. 

Ohio State: The Buckeyes look like the best team in college football. I don’t even know how a team can look this dominant. Their defense looks to have no weaknesses as they do not give up any big plays and their offense looks unstoppable ever since they started running off the pass. The only worrisome factor for the Buckeyes is if they don’t show up with the same intensity and game plan as they have in the previous two playoff games. This new ”I don't care about the critics” approach that the Buckeyes have right now should scare the whole country not just this year but in the future as well. 

Prediction: It’s very hard for anyone to pick against the Buckeyes but, I am curious to see if Texas can maintain the offensive onslaught from the Buckeyes that they have showcased at the start of their playoff games helping get out to an early lead. The Longhorns will have to play their best all four quarters to try and stop Ohio State. The Longhorns supposedly have the best secondary in all of college football and they will be put to the test as Jeremiah Smith looks to be uncoverable. If the Buckeyes play the way they have shown they can play this game can get ugly just as it did for Oregon and Tennessee. 42-21 Buckeyes

First Round Playoff Predictions

#12 Clemson vs #5 Texas

Clemson Tigers (9-3): We have a SEC vs ACC matchup and once again it involves the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers have been through the highs and lows throughout the season. They have looked great against the mediocre teams and have struggled against the top teams. They are lucky to have even made it into the field as they are a three loss team. 

Texas Longhorns (11-2): The Longhorns have looked like one of the best teams in the country throughout the entirety of the season. They have struggled to win games against Georgia and that's a concern going into these playoffs. They seemed to have had a strong strength of schedule at the start of the year. As the season went on, the schedule was underwhelming as the teams that were previously ranked fell out of the top 25. The Longhorns have also struggled the past couple of seasons under Steve Sarkasian while having home field advantage. 

Predictions: Just based off of the talent, the Longhorns have a big advantage as they have one of the best rosters in college football. Texas has a ceiling that is way higher than Clemson’s but, I don’t think we have yet to see them get to full potential. The offense is going to be a big factor for both teams. We have seen Texas look unstoppable but they seem to stall out against top teams. The Tigers offense will need to take downfield shots and keep those great safeties honest because they love to run the ball and it will not work if Texas loads the box. I believe in experience and Dabo Swinney definitely has that throughout all of his playoff runs. Texas always seems to fall to their competition in these scenarios and I can see a really tight matchup but, the talent gap will be too much for the Tigers. 

27 Texas, 21 Clemson

#10 Indiana vs #7 Notre Dame 

Indiana (11-1): The Hoosiers have had a Cinderella story type season after they were predicted to have one of the worst records in college football. Curt Cignetti has come into this program and has given the Hoosiers some life. They have been able to man handle teams all year and they have one of the best point differentials in the country. Even while losing on the road to Ohio State, they still have been able to hang around and have a shot in the playoffs.

Notre Dame (11-1): The Fighting Irish have a 10 game winning streak going into these playoffs. After losing to NIU in a shocking upset at home the Irish have looked great since. I believe Marcus Freeman used that loss to show his team that they can never play that way again. Marcus Freeman and the Irish have not had great success against top 10 teams in the past and they look to change that in South Bend on Friday. 

Predictions: Both teams come into this game with the same exact record and around the same strength of schedule. Home field advantage for the Irish will not be as prevalent because they are both from the same state. Tickets prices are super high and that is due to it being an instate matchup. I believe the Hoosiers are playing with house money and they have experience in a big game. Notre Dame always seems to crumble under pressure but it will still be a really tight game. I love the Hoosiers offense and I don’t believe Notre Dame will be able to run the football against the Hoosiers big D-line. 

35 Indiana, 28 Notre Dame

#11 SMU vs #6 Penn State

SMU (11-2): Nobody believed the Mustangs would be able to make the ACC championship game let alone make the playoffs. After an early loss to BYU, SMU has looked like a completely different team. They did fall to Clemson in the championship game but they showed some fight at the end and proved to the committee that they belong. 

Penn State (11-2): Even while losing to Oregon in the Big 10 championship the Nittany Lions might have the most favorable path to the semi final out of the whole field. Penn State has beat everyone on their schedule except the top 10 games. They looked better against Oregon than they have ever looked against top talent but, James Franklin has yet to win the big game.  

Prediction: I can’t get over the fact that the Mustangs were dominated by Clemson in the first half of the ACC championship. Penn State looks stronger than they have ever been and will also be at home in one of the best environments in the country. The talent gap and the weather is going to be a huge factor in this game.

38 Penn State, 21 SMU

#9 Tennessee vs #8 Ohio State

Tennessee (10-2): The Vols get to be in the playoff for the first time in program history. They have been good over the years but have not been able to get over the hump. They have struggled on the road under Josh Heupel but they are serious contenders for the National Championship this year. 

Ohio State (10-2): After losing to their rival Michigan, all things in Columbus seem to be falling apart according to their fans. We do not see what is actually going on in the facility as they get ready to make a run at the championship. The Buckeyes have the best roster in college football but have been decimated by injuries on the O-line. 

Prediction: Both head coaches struggle under pressure situations but Ryan Day has the playoff experience that Heupel doesn’t have. This game is going to come down to the Vols stout D-line vs the Buckeyes' make shift O-line. The Buckeyes have heard criticism for the past three weeks on the offensive game plan and have struggled against tough teams in the past. Ohio State’s defense will be good enough to hold Dylan Sampson to under 100 yards and Nico Iamaleava is a young quarterback that hasn't been in this weather before and seems to struggle in big moments. The Buckeyes have proven in the past in recent playoff runs that they can scheme up a defense with multiple weeks to prepare. 

24 Ohio State, 14 Tennessee