Playoff Semifinals 2016
1. Peach Bowl: #1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #4 Washington Huskies
Many people including myself were worried this game wouldn't be close in the end and our fears were justified. After a three and out by both teams to start the game, the Huskies got the ball in good field position at their 36 yard line. Washington quarterback Jake Browning tore through the Alabama defense, passing for 33 yards and running for 13 in a span of 5 plays. After a first down dash by running Lavon Coleman, Browning completed a 18 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dante Pettis. Alabama used productive scampers by quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Damien Harris to fuel a successful drive of their own. Running back Bo Scarbrough ran it in from 18 yards out and the score was tied. The score remained tied at the end of the 1st quarter but the game changed drastically in the 2nd. A Washington fumble was turned into 3 points and it turned out the Huskies were still in a giving mood. Towards the end of the first half, Browning threw a ill-advised pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.
The Huskies couldn't manage to score a single point in the 2nd half, while Alabama added 7 more points to their total on another rushing touchdown by Scarbrough. Yet again, a quality opponent has thrown a pick 6 (interception returned for a touchdown) against Alabama. To keep it elementary school simple, DON'T THROW A PICK 6 IF YOU WANT TO BEAT ALABAMA!
Final Score: Alabama 24 Washington 7
2. Fiesta Bowl: #2 Clemson Tigers vs. #3 Ohio State Buckeyes
Much to everyone's surprise the Fiesta Bowl was even more lopsided than the Peach Bowl. At various points during the season, the Ohio State offense had found themselves in a serious funk, unable to move the ball effectively using passing or running plays. The Buckeyes defense was the thing that truly saved them in their thrilling win over Michigan. Against Clemson, things spiralled out of control quickly. The Buckeyes offense seemed out of their element from the very start of the game and never found their groove. Meanwhile, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman found their way through the Ohio State defense one step at a time. Watson overcame an interception on their first drive to lead his team to ten points in their next two drives. Watson threw a second interception in the 2nd quarter but showed his resiliency yet again. Remaining confident in his abilities and his receivers Watson led another drive that ended in a 33 yard TD reception by wide receiver C.J. Fuller.
The 2nd half was not much different as Clemson continued to score while Ohio State could hardly muster a first down. The Buckeyes looked like they didn't deserve the playoff spot that they had earned. It is very clear after this horrible showing that Clemson has a far better chance to take down the Tide.
Final Score: Clemson 31 Ohio State 0
Most Exciting Bowl Game of the Year (so far)
Since the other two games were so one-sided, I thought it would be a good idea to write about a different game that was far more exciting.
Orange Bowl: #6 Michigan Wolverines vs. #11 Florida State Seminoles
At first, the only premier bowl game on New Year's Eve looked like it was going to be a blowout. Florida State's offense, powered by the strong legs of running back Dalvin Cook, was making serious headway against the stout Michigan defense. Eight minutes into the game, the Seminoles held a 10-3 lead. The lead should have been 10-7 because Michigan recovered a muffed punt at the Florida State 1 yard line but was unable to score a touchdown. At the polar opposite of things was Florida State's last possession of the first quarter. Pinned back at their own 8 yard line, Seminoles quarterback Deondre François lofted a long pass to wide receiver Nyqwan Murray who was behind two defenders. The pass caught up to Murray at just the right moment and he took it the rest of the way for a 92 yard touchdown.
Michigan got the ball deep into the redzone in the 2nd quarter but yet again they only came away with 3 points. Florida State added a field goal later in the 2nd quarter and went into the half leading 20-6.
A good return at the start of the 3rd quarter gave Michigan a great opportunity to start the half off right. Quarterback Wilton Speight tossed a pair of clutch passes that converted a 3rd down and a 4th down as well. The Wolverines got the ball to the 10 yard line but once again the drive stalled and they only tallied a field goal. Michigan's red zone ineptitude was getting ridiculous.
Four straight punts later, Florida State received a punt at their own 15 yard line. Two plays later, François was rolling out to his right and I thought he was going to throw the ball away. However, showing his freshman status, François threw a risky pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by defensive back Mike McCray.
Coming back out onto the field soon after, the Florida State offense was faced with the challenge of overcoming this mistake. At first, the offensive line failed by giving up a sack of François two plays after a holding penalty. Now facing a 3rd and 22, it seemed the Seminoles would have to punt shortly. However, the offensive line opened up a big hole for a delayed handoff that allowed Cook to race down the left sideline for 77 yards. Four plays later, Francois scored from 3 yards out on a designed quarterback run.
Now down by 12, and with no previous success in the redzone, Michigan looked they had run out of luck. But college football is a fickle beast and it showed it yet again. Michigan went three and out but then Florida State did the same. After a short punt, the Wolverines got the ball in excellent field position at the Florida State 37 yard line. A 18 yard completion by Speight to top receiver Amara Darboh got the ball into the redzone. Wolverine fans began to get nervous. Two plays later they were really getting concerned. But a third down completion by Speight to wide receiver Jehu Chesson gave the Wolverines their 1st first down in the redzone. Facing another 3rd down two plays later, Speight scrambled away from the blitz and found running back Khalid Hill standing at the 1 yard line. Hill caught the pass, spun to avoid the defender and dove into the endzone. Michigan was back in it!
After a second straight three and out by the Seminoles, the Wolverines would strike again. Michigan went 61 yards in only 5 plays, taking the lead on a 30 yard TD dash by running back Chris Evans (not to be confused with the actor who plays Captain America). Wanting to go up by a field goal, the Wolverines went for two. Speight fired the ball through a tight window to Darboh who caught it in the endzone for 2 points.
The ensuing kickoff was not uneventful. Florida State returner Keith Gavin received the kick in the endzone and hesitated, considering kneeling down for a touchback. But, against the advice of his teammate, he ran out of the endzone eyeing a potential route through the blockers. Thrown off by Gavin's momentary hesitation, the Michigan blockers gave up a huge 66 yard kickoff return. Michigan's Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was livid that his team gave up such a long return at such a crucial time in the game.
However, three plays later, it seemed like the Wolverines would limit the Seminoles to a field goal attempt. Going up against the challenge of a 3rd and 9 play, François made the most important throw of his Florida State career. He put the ball right over the head of a Michigan defender in the left end of the endzone, allowing wide receiver Nyqwan Murray, who was stationed behind the defender, just enough room to catch the ball. Murray came down with a contested catch and the Florida State faithful cheered in awe and celebration.
Thirty-six seconds remained on the clock and things were about to get even more interesting. Florida State kicker Ricky Aguayo's extra point was blocked and returned by Michigan defender Josh Metallus all the way to the other endzone, giving Michigan two points. The Wolverines were now trailing by a single point and had plenty of time to set up a game winning field goal attempt. However, the Florida State defense was done giving up 1st downs. Two incompletions and a completion for no gain soon forced the Wolverines into a do or die 4th down and 10. Speight's ensuing desperation pass was intercepted by Florida State cornerback Carlos Becker III, sealing the win. A short time later, the Seminoles were celebrating a wild Orange Bowl win.
Final Score: Florida State 33 Michigan 32
Coming back out onto the field soon after, the Florida State offense was faced with the challenge of overcoming this mistake. At first, the offensive line failed by giving up a sack of François two plays after a holding penalty. Now facing a 3rd and 22, it seemed the Seminoles would have to punt shortly. However, the offensive line opened up a big hole for a delayed handoff that allowed Cook to race down the left sideline for 77 yards. Four plays later, Francois scored from 3 yards out on a designed quarterback run.
Now down by 12, and with no previous success in the redzone, Michigan looked they had run out of luck. But college football is a fickle beast and it showed it yet again. Michigan went three and out but then Florida State did the same. After a short punt, the Wolverines got the ball in excellent field position at the Florida State 37 yard line. A 18 yard completion by Speight to top receiver Amara Darboh got the ball into the redzone. Wolverine fans began to get nervous. Two plays later they were really getting concerned. But a third down completion by Speight to wide receiver Jehu Chesson gave the Wolverines their 1st first down in the redzone. Facing another 3rd down two plays later, Speight scrambled away from the blitz and found running back Khalid Hill standing at the 1 yard line. Hill caught the pass, spun to avoid the defender and dove into the endzone. Michigan was back in it!
After a second straight three and out by the Seminoles, the Wolverines would strike again. Michigan went 61 yards in only 5 plays, taking the lead on a 30 yard TD dash by running back Chris Evans (not to be confused with the actor who plays Captain America). Wanting to go up by a field goal, the Wolverines went for two. Speight fired the ball through a tight window to Darboh who caught it in the endzone for 2 points.
The ensuing kickoff was not uneventful. Florida State returner Keith Gavin received the kick in the endzone and hesitated, considering kneeling down for a touchback. But, against the advice of his teammate, he ran out of the endzone eyeing a potential route through the blockers. Thrown off by Gavin's momentary hesitation, the Michigan blockers gave up a huge 66 yard kickoff return. Michigan's Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was livid that his team gave up such a long return at such a crucial time in the game.
However, three plays later, it seemed like the Wolverines would limit the Seminoles to a field goal attempt. Going up against the challenge of a 3rd and 9 play, François made the most important throw of his Florida State career. He put the ball right over the head of a Michigan defender in the left end of the endzone, allowing wide receiver Nyqwan Murray, who was stationed behind the defender, just enough room to catch the ball. Murray came down with a contested catch and the Florida State faithful cheered in awe and celebration.
Thirty-six seconds remained on the clock and things were about to get even more interesting. Florida State kicker Ricky Aguayo's extra point was blocked and returned by Michigan defender Josh Metallus all the way to the other endzone, giving Michigan two points. The Wolverines were now trailing by a single point and had plenty of time to set up a game winning field goal attempt. However, the Florida State defense was done giving up 1st downs. Two incompletions and a completion for no gain soon forced the Wolverines into a do or die 4th down and 10. Speight's ensuing desperation pass was intercepted by Florida State cornerback Carlos Becker III, sealing the win. A short time later, the Seminoles were celebrating a wild Orange Bowl win.
Final Score: Florida State 33 Michigan 32
National Championship Game
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #2 Clemson Tigers: Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Who will win? The team that turns the ball over the least.
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