Top Storylines to Watch in College Football Playoff
There were no bombshells, which is perfectly fine. The College Football Playoff most anticipated is indeed the playoff that will be served with cheap champagne and ill-fitting hats on New Year's Eve. Schedule accordingly.
Do not mistake this shocking lack of controversy for a lack of interest. In fact, given the coaches, star power, different operating styles, implications and everything else at work, this year's semifinal games—and when we get there, the national championship—will offer up a buffet of delectable narratives.
The final rankings are set, which means the second College Football Playoff is officially upon us. No. 1 Clemson will meet No. 4 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl at 4 p.m. ET. In the other semifinal, No. 2 Alabama will meet No. 3 Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl at 8 p.m. ET.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oh, we have coaching familiarity. We have drastically different methods of footballing. After Saturday night, we might have a Heisman Trophy winner. In terms of individual matchups and talent, there is no shortage of fascination.
Why should you make time to watch these games on New Year's Eve? Is that a real question? I hope not.
If there are genuine concerns about carving out time on this busy night, perhaps the following will alleviate all trepidations. Here's a look at what you need to know for this year's College Football Playoff, starting with two gentlemen who rarely smile.
They were once co-workers. Despite the fact that those days have passed and each has graduated to a grander gig, they have remained friends. They preach similar tactics. They have a similar sideline demeanor. Now, two of the game's most stoic generals will compete for a spot in the national championship.
"Coach Saban really has been probably my biggest mentor as a coach," Dantonio told reporters a few years ago. "When I had the opportunity to come here—and I probably sit here now as a head football coach because of him bringing me here—I'm very, very appreciative of that and all the time I spent five years with him."
Both have defensive backgrounds. Both would rather win a football game with a baseball score. And in a race to see which coach cracks a smile first during the actual game, well, good luck on that one.
The Smash Bowl
Speaking of Saban-Dantonio, your television will be producing distinct sounds on New Year's Eve. The sound of human beings throwing themselves at one another with remarkable force will be echoing throughout your family room or basement.
It's not just the defense. Alabama and Michigan State will offer plenty of that. But more so than the players on one side of the ball is the mentality. The familiarity of these two coaches probably has a lot to do with that.
The Cotton Bowl will feature two spectacular defensive lines and a whole lot of hitting. It may not feature an avalanche of points, but it will also not lack entertainment. If you've been waiting for the right time to update that home theater, this might be the game that warrants the move. Oh, those sounds.
The Points Bowl
So you don't like defense and do like football games that produce basketball scores. Have no fear, friend. We have a game for you.
The contrast between the two semifinal playoff games will be significant. Clemson and Oklahoma, two of the nation's top 15 scoring offenses, will touch gloves in the Orange Bowl and may not stop scoring for 15 consecutive hours.
While each defense has some fantastic individual players capable of changing the game, this contest will almost certainly be about touchdowns.
There will be points—lots and lots of points. Just be sure to keep those New Year's Eve plans flexible, because this one might alter the expected schedule. In fact, don't make any plans at all. Football should be the plan.
The Magnificent Quarterbacking
It may not have the same feel as Mariota-Winston a year ago, but the four quarterbacks in the College Football Playoff are (1) talented and (2) unique in how they operate.
Clemson's Deshaun Watson, soon to be a Heisman finalist, is deadly on the ground and through the air. Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield, who has provided a handful of Johnny Manziel-esque highlights, has morphed from a walk-on to one of the most exciting players in college football.
Watching Watson and Mayfield go back and forth might be the highlight of the entire playoff.
Michigan State's Connor Cook, battling a shoulder injury, is as good a pocket passer as there is in the nation when he's healthy—and health will certainly be a storyline to follow with Alabama's defensive line on deck. And Jake Coker, maybe the biggest wild card of the group, has flashed moments of brilliance as he has developed under offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.
There is star power and potential. There is youth and also experience. There are legacies to be built. And above all, there is an abundance of talent under center.
The Big, Bad Running Backs
Oh, it's not just about the QBs. The running backs in this game—a lineup of big, explosive backs—will have had their say when it's all said and done.
Alabama's Derrick Henry, tipping the scales at a cool 242 pounds, will head into the semifinal with 1,986 yards—tops in the nation. He also logged 90 carries in his last two games. A few weeks off won't hurt.
Michigan State freshman LJ Scott, weighing in at 233 pounds, is coming off his heroics in the Big Ten Championship Game, where he converted on the most thrilling one-yard touchdown run of the season.
Then there's Samaje Perine, the Sooners' forgotten 230-pound superstar. Having rushed for 485 yards over the past three games, the bruiser appears to be hitting his stride.
Last but not least is Clemson's Wayne Gallman, the most explosive running back in the playoff.
While the 215-pounder may not get the same national recognition as some of the other backs, his 187 yards against North Carolina played an enormous role in the Tigers' path to this point.
They are big. They are fast. They are mean. Look out.
Like the Semis, the National Championship Will Be Loaded
Let's not assume victory in either semifinal. Yes, Alabama will be a significant favorite over Michigan State. Oklahoma vs. Clemson will be slightly more complicated.
Regardless of the winners, we are guaranteed to see a championship featuring teams that handle business differently. Clemson and Oklahoma, as mentioned above, do it with points. Alabama and Michigan State, as mentioned above, score points but also incorporate an element of physicality.
However the bracket plays out, these two different styles will clash. That's a good thing; the depth of such a confined bracket is remarkable.
Would ESPN love to see Alabama and Oklahoma? From a sheer ratings and interest standpoint, absolutely. But it's never that easy. For further proof, go back exactly one year.
The New Year's Eve Problem That Won't Actually Be a Problem
The speculation started long ago. How will fans react to games being played on New Year's Eve and not New Year's Day? Will they still watch? Will occupying a busy night diminish the interest at all?
ESPN has changed its advertising for these games to address this very issue, which will soon be a non-issue:
Of course people will watch. You will watch.
For starters, it's the College Football Playoff, and there are many reasons—a handful of which are mentioned above—to tune in. And quite simply, no matter the teams that would be competing, most of us would watch regardless.
Yes, last year's semifinal games on New Year's Day drew record ratings, and maybe this year's scheduling change won't quite match it. Maybe it will.
The point is that this will be made into a much larger issue than it will actually be. The games will be great, the ratings will be fine, and NYE partygoers will watch football instead of drawn-out NYE programming.
When you put it like that, it doesn't sound so bad.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
