Key Takeaways
- The College Football Playoff’s first round saw Alabama overcome a 17-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma, while Miami advanced with a low-scoring 10-3 victory over Texas A&M.
- Group of Five representatives Tulane and James Madison were defeated decisively by Ole Miss and Oregon, respectively.
- The first round was marked by a lack of competitiveness, with several games being one-sided and uneventful.
- The committee’s decision to include Alabama and Miami over Notre Dame was justified by their first-round wins, but the inclusion of Tulane and James Madison was questionable.
- The quarterfinals are set, with matchups including Miami vs. Ohio State and Alabama vs. Indiana.
Introduction to the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff’s first round was marked by a mix of exciting comebacks and one-sided affairs. The most competitive matchup of the round saw Alabama overcome a 17-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma, with the Crimson Tide rallying to win 34-24 in Norman. In contrast, Miami’s 10-3 victory over Texas A&M was a low-scoring affair that lacked excitement. The Group of Five representatives, Tulane and James Madison, were defeated decisively by Ole Miss and Oregon, respectively, with the Rebels winning 41-10 and the Ducks winning 51-34.
Alabama’s Comeback Victory
Alabama’s comeback victory over Oklahoma was a stunning turnaround, with the Crimson Tide looking like a different team in the second half. After digging themselves a 17-0 hole, Alabama’s flip switch was flipped, and they began to dominate the game. The Sooners, on the other hand, gave up a 10-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, botched the clock at the end of the first half, and missed two field goals. Oklahoma’s last 10 possessions were marked by five punts, two missed field goals, one turnover, one touchdown, and the end-of-first-half sequence. The comeback victory was a testament to Alabama’s resilience and Oklahoma’s collapse.
Implications for Michigan
The implications of Alabama’s comeback victory are significant for Michigan, which is searching for a new coach. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama’s coach, is reportedly being considered for the Michigan job, but his performance in the first round may have given him pause. DeBoer’s ability to rally his team from a 17-point deficit is a testament to his coaching abilities, and he may be hesitant to leave Alabama for Michigan. Meanwhile, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, who was considered for the Florida job, has signed an extension and is no longer a candidate for the Michigan job. The road to finding a new coach for Michigan may lead to former Jaguars offensive coordinator and current Washington coach Jedd Fisch.
Justification for the Committee’s Decision
The committee’s decision to include Alabama and Miami over Notre Dame was justified by their first-round wins. Alabama’s comeback victory over Oklahoma and Miami’s 10-3 victory over Texas A&M demonstrated that they belonged in the playoff. However, the inclusion of Tulane and James Madison was questionable, given their decisive defeats to Ole Miss and Oregon, respectively. The committee’s mandate is to choose the 12 best teams, but the first round’s lack of competitiveness raises questions about the selection process.
Quarterfinals Matchups
The quarterfinals are set, with matchups including Miami vs. Ohio State and Alabama vs. Indiana. The early lean is a final four of Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Georgia. The hope is that a chalky first round will lead to some exciting semifinal games. The Orange Bowl matchup between Oregon and Texas Tech and the Sugar Bowl matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia are expected to be closely contested affairs. The College Football Playoff is heating up, and the quarterfinals promise to be an exciting round of games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the College Football Playoff’s first round was marked by a mix of excitement and lack of competitiveness. Alabama’s comeback victory over Oklahoma was a thrilling affair, while Miami’s 10-3 victory over Texas A&M was a low-scoring affair. The Group of Five representatives, Tulane and James Madison, were defeated decisively by Ole Miss and Oregon, respectively. The committee’s decision to include Alabama and Miami over Notre Dame was justified by their first-round wins, but the inclusion of Tulane and James Madison was questionable. The quarterfinals promise to be an exciting round of games, with matchups including Miami vs. Ohio State and Alabama vs. Indiana.
