College Football Playoff Open Thread
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Three hopefully great games today:
Last night was a pretty good Penn State-Boise State Fiesta Bowl. Penn State won and covered the spread, but it wasn’t really clear they were the better team. Boise had more yards per play until the big run at the end of the game. But Boise screwed up again and again when it mattered and you aren’t going to beat a good Penn State team like that. So the Nittany Lions are on to the semis.
#5 Texas vs #4 Arizona State, Peach Bowl, 1, ESPN (Texas -13)
Arizona State has had an amazing run. Kenny Dillingham is a fantastic coach. The Sun Devils could be dangerous. But then…..they haven’t played anyone even close to as good as Texas. They have some OK wins, over BYU among others. But c’mon. Texas is battle tested and has looked great unless they are playing Georgia. I have to believe the Longhorns win and cover the spread here.
#8 Ohio State vs #1 Oregon, Rose Bowl, 5, ESPN (Ohio State -2.5)
This is hard for me to evaluate objectively because I’m pissed off. So Oregon beat Ohio State. Oregon went undefeated and are the #1 seed. Ohio State also lost a terrible game to Michigan. And Ohio State is favored by 2.5????? Look, Ohio State played a fantastic game against Tennessee. No question about it. I am glad Oregon didn’t play them that day. But one game does not make up for a season. Ohio State probably has the most talent of any team in the nation this year, but they sure haven’t always played like it. I know they are pissed about Oregon beating them. But the truth is that no one believes in Oregon because of their name. Anything could happen in this game, but I will take my Ducks to win outright, not to mention the points. I just can’t see any logical reason for that spread, given the evidence and the fact that Oregon has already beaten them. The good thing about this spread is that the Ducks are pissed off too. This spread is also just begging for dumbass chuds to bet Ohio State by the field goal.
#7 Notre Dame vs #2 Georgia, 8:45, ESPN, Sugar Bowl (Georgia -1).
I have to go with Notre Dame here for one reason–Georgia is starting an unproven backup QB. Now, Carson Beck has not been great this year. Maybe the backup is better, maybe he isn’t. But given that you can’t know at all what that guy is going to look like in a big game, I don’t see the justification to pick Georgia against a Notre Dame team that is clicking on all cylinders right now.