Binge Sports: The College Football Playoff-(1)Alabama v. (4)Ohio State, (2)Oregon v. (3)Florida State-Vote For The Winners!
Okay, here we go. After years of waiting and whining through the BCS, an actual playoff will determine a national champion in the world of college football. Welcome to Binge Sports coverage of the inaugural College Football Playoff.
We’ve seen some great moments and some great games this year, and with the four teams that remain, chances are we’ll have some more. So let’s get to it. As I’ve done in the past, I’ll give you a quick breakdown of the teams, followed by a preview of the match-up, and of course my favorite part, an opportunity for you to vote for the winners. Both of these games are on New Year’s Day, so vote early and vote often. We’ll start with the early game….
Thursday, January 1st, 2015–5E/4C–ESPN
(2) OREGON DUCKS (12-1, PAC-12 CHAMPIONS)
(3) FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (13-0, ACC CHAMPIONS)
Current Line: Oregon favored by 9
THE BREAKDOWN:
Outside of the big story that is simply the Rose Bowl itself, the talk of this game begins under center as the last two Heisman Trophy winners, Florida State QB Jameis Winston and Oregon QB Marcus Mariota, face off in Pasadena in what has the chance to be amazing game.
A wise man once said “to be the man, you gotta beat the man”. And that’s the task in front of Oregon on Thursday. The high-octane offense of the Ducks (46.3 points per game) leads the way as they look to dethrone the Florida State Seminoles, who enter this game as the reigning, defending national champions and have won 29 consecutive contests. Granted, FSU hasn’t been winning big (7 games won by 6 points or less), or winning pretty, but they’re still winning. Winston leads an offense that will have a great chance to move the ball on the Oregon defense, who only ranks 103rd against the pass.
And speaking of defense, the Seminole defense may finally be the healthiest that it’s been all year and it’s certainly going to have to be to keep this game close. The Ducks will have five players on the field with more than 25 receptions this year, a 1300-yard rusher in Royce Freeman (16 TD as well), and obviously Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota, who only threw 2 interceptions this season while throwing 38 touchdowns.
I think that Florida State can keep it close for a while. Let’s face it. You don’t win 29 games in a row without doing some things right, but in the end, I just don’t think they can keep up with the Ducks. I’m going with Oregon here, 41-31.
[yop_poll id=”158″]
Thursday, January 1, 2015–8:30E/7:30C–ESPN
(1) ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (12-1, SEC CHAMPIONS)
(4) OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (12-1, BIG 10 CHAMPIONS)
Current Line: Alabama favored by 10
THE BREAKDOWN:
As usual, Alabama is just plain good. Besides one of the best defenses that Nick Saban has ever assembled, he’s got probably the most dynamic skill player in college football in wide receiver Amari Cooper (115 catches, 1656 yards). He’ll be looked at quite a bit on Thursday night as running back T.J. Yeldon continues to recover from multiple leg injuries. That leaves the Alabama offensive line, not the best it’s ever been,with the big job to give quarterback Blake Sims time to get the ball to Cooper. That won’t be the easiest task as Ohio State boasts a dangerous defensive front, led by unanimous All-American Joey Bosa (13.5 sacks, 20 tackles for losses).
The biggest question mark for the Buckeyes, however, remains on the other side of the ball in quarterback Cardale Jones, who will only be making his second career start. I must say that the first one was quite impressive. Playing a very smart style, he went 12 for 17 with 257 yards and three touchdowns in that 59-0 drubbing of Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game. But this is Alabama, and this is the chance to play for a national championship. Can Cardale Jones impress again. We’ll find out on Thursday.
Nick Saban and Urban Meyer have combined to win six titles. They’ve faced each other three times, with all three times being games where both teams were in the top ten. Saban currently has a 2-1 edge and I think he gets win number three here, 35-24.
[yop_poll id=”157″]
Who you got? Justify your picks below or follow us @BingeSports or hit me up @THElukenorris. I’ll be posting the results in the new year during my preview of the national championship game in a couple of weeks. But until then, be on the lookout for some NFL playoff previews coming up later this week. And of course, more fan votes. And never forget, Binge Sports has all the balls.