Championship Week

Championship Week

Results of Last Week's Games to Watch

1.  Oregon Ducks vs. Arizona Wildcats

This game was described as a game in which Oregon would be looking to avenge their upset loss to Arizona early in the year.  The Ducks did that and much more.  The game seemed like it was over at halftime as the Ducks defense would not let the Wildcats do anything on offense.  On the other side of the ball, Heisman candidate quarterback Marcus Mariota led Oregon to 23 1st half points.  The score at the half was Oregon 23 Arizona zip. The final score was even uglier.  However, with this win Oregon will get their shot at Florida State and maybe even Alabama in the playoffs.  That would make me very happy if they beat both of those teams. :)

Final Score: Oregon 51 Arizona 13

2.  Florida State Seminoles vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The 1st half of this game could be described as a scorefest with a total of 49 points scored. Georgia Tech's triple-option rushing attack was on a roll, reaching the endzone on almost every drive. However, the Yellow Jackets' defense was as crumbly as a honey graham cracker as they let the Seminoles offense score just as easily.  Florida State had a 1 touchdown lead at the half and they would not trail during the remainder of the game.  The Yellow Jackets' offense was not as productive in the 2nd half which allowed the Seminoles to build a 9 point lead.  Florida State was able to absorb a late touchdown and recovered Georgia Tech's onside kick attempt to seal the game.  Just like bees, the Yellow Jackets only knew how to attack, not how to defend.

Final Score: Florida State 37 Georgia Tech 35

3. Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers

This game was undoubtedly the most surprising game of the weekend.  If you recall from last week's blog, Ohio State is having to rally behind their 3rd-string quarterback Cardale Jones after 2 fantastic quarterbacks suffered season-ending injuries.  Unbelievably, the Buckeyes have a 3rd great quarterback on their roster, as Jones passed for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns, all of which were perfect passes that were hauled in by star receiver Devin Smith. (see below)  On defense, the Buckeyes had their best game of the year, holding the Badgers' running game, headlined by record-setting running back Melvin Gordon, to only 71 yards!  The fate of Wisconsin was perfectly summed up when an Ohio State defensive lineman forced Gordon to fumble, and talented freshman Joey Bosa scooped up the loose ball and sauntered into the endzone.  The Buckeyes would absolutely destroy the Badgers 59 to nothing.  This awesomely amazing victory earned the Buckeyes a spot in the 1st College Football Playoffs.  More on that later.

Final Score: Ohio State 59 Wisconsin 0

Most Exciting Game of the Week

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs @ Marshall Thundering Herd

(The Marshall football team was the subject of the great movie We Are Marshall.  It's worth watching.)

Unlike other college football championship games that are played at a neutral site, the Conference-USA (C-USA) Championship Game is played at the better team's stadium. The main reason why is that this conference takes in less revenue than other more prestigious conferences and can't afford to play a championship game in an NFL stadium. Anyway, the Marshall players and fans were hoping to capture a conference championship to make up for their loss in overtime the previous week that ended their perfect season and the possibility to go to a New Year's bowl game.

As the game began, the Marshall players looked like they hadn't yet shaken off last week's heartbreaking loss.  The offense, led by record-setting QB Rakeem Cato, was inconsistent and the defense was weak as the Bulldogs had a 17-7 lead halfway through the 2nd quarter.  In the last 5 minutes of the half, the Thundering Herd used their horns to bull their way to a 40 and a 46 yard field goal, both of which were the longest kicker Justin Haig had ever converted.

At the start of the 2nd half, Marshall looked as though they had finally put the past behind them and were ready to battle for the C-USA Championship.  On their first drive they converted a 3rd and 17 and managed another 40 yard field goal.  Now trailing only by 1, the momentum slipped away from Marshall after a blocked punt set up Louisiana Tech in the red zone.  Bulldogs' running back Kenneth Dixon sprinted into the endzone on the next play, but the extra point was blocked.  Going into the 4th quarter, Louisiana Tech led 23-16, but the game wasn't over yet.

After Cato and the offense only managed 3 points on two golden opportunities to tie the game up, the Thundering Herd defense would have to save the day.  They subscribed to the defensive adage "bend but don't break" as they allowed a 30 yard completion but stopped the Bulldogs at the 32 yard line. Louisiana Tech attempted a 49 yard field goal but it sailed wide and the Marshall fans cheered as the ball fell harmlessly into the stands. With 5 minutes left, Cato was determined to not let his teammates and the fans suffer through another disappointing loss.  10 plays later, Cato had completed 6 of 7 passes for 47 yards and run another 11 yards and Marshall was at the Bulldogs' 5 yard line.  On 2nd and Goal, Cato rolled out to the right, and fired a crisp pass that was caught for the game-winning touchdown.  Only minutes later, the Marshall Thundering Herd had captured the C-USA Championship and Cato was hoisting the championship trophy surrounded by his celebrating teammates.

Final Score: Marshall 26 Louisiana Tech 23

Final College Football Playoff Rankings

1.  Alabama Crimson Tide

2.  Oregon Ducks

3.  Florida State Seminoles

4.  Ohio State Buckeyes

These rankings were determined by a 12 member selection committee that includes athletic directors and former coaches, unlike the previous system of polls and computer rankings which only chose two teams who would compete for the national championship. Ohio State's blowout win over Wisconsin warranted their unexpected jump into the top 4. Alabama and Ohio State will face off at the Sugar Bowl and Oregon and Florida State will battle at the Rose Bowl.  The winners will go to play at Cowboys Stadium for a shot at the national championship.  Buckle your seat belts.  Its going to be a wild ride.