The Hawkeyes dropped only one spot, to fifth, after losing to MSU 16-13 in the Big Ten Championship Game, even though they proved to be the overrated and offensive-challenged team we thought they were. So I have no problems with where we are now.
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The next time someone howls about the need for an eight-team playoff, remember this season.
The other semifinal pits the nation’s top-ranked team (Clemson) against its hottest (Oklahoma) in the Orange Bowl. The Golden Bears feature star quarterback Jared Goff as the future of head coach Sonny Dykes remains muddled, with the university and Dykes still haggling over a contract extension. Alabama and Michigan State met in the Citrus Bowl following the 2010 season, with the Crimson Tide rolling to a 49-7 win.
The third game between ranked teams is one of those intra-city rivalries that nearly assures a close, physical game.
Clemson’s 45-37 victory against No. 10 North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday was far from ideal, but the Tigers still are.
Alabama got 189 yards from Derrick Henry on a staggering 44 carries against Florida’s stingy defense Saturday to win the SEC title game 29-15.
It’s safe to say Dantonio’s success in East Lansing, including at least 11 wins in five of the last six seasons, has more than won the respect of his former boss.
The Buckeyes had the highest percentage of games in the 90th percentile last year (73%), best in the country, while this year just 58% of their games were in the 90th percentile.
In two years the Big Ten has sent two teams to the College Football Playoff, with Ohio State winning the National Championship last season in the first year of the playoff.
“We’re going to play on edge”, Dantonio said. “They talk about a whole bunch of other stuff, but definitely what they saw (in the Ohio State win over Michigan) is what they’re going to get”. Alabama opened this season with a 35-17 victory over the Badgers.
Clemson and Oklahoma have split four meetings, dating back to 1963.
The days ahead of the Rose Bowl will help keep Iowa in the spotlight.
In Norman, Oklahoma, assistant coaches, players and fans attended a watch party while quarterback and coach were traveling. Ohio State won the National Championship against overwhelming odds, and it appears Dantonio’s Spartans might be on the same path this season.
Coach Dabo Swinney is making good on his promise for a postseason pizza shindig at Memorial Stadium. The players were allowed to sleep in for the announcement.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the Tide is preparing for a second straight playoff appearance, it was just another Sunday. This is the eighth week Michigan State will be ranked No. 1, moving the Spartans into a tie with West Virginia and St. John’s on the all-time list. The school plans to honor its 2000 national champions, which beat the Gators in the NCAA finals.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done, we’ve earned what we’ve gotten”, said Izzo at his press conference on Monday.
Michigan State had two chances to tie the score, but Michael Geiger missed one 52-yarder to the left and his second 52-yard attempt when it hit the front of the crossbar and bounced harmlessly into the end zone as the half ended.
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On Dec. 31, the Peach Bowl pits AAC champion Houston against Florida State.
