04/23/24
January 01, 2016
Tide open as TD favorites vs. Tigers: Clemson blew out Oklahoma and Alabama shut out Michigan State to set up the CFB National Championship game.
posted by billsaysthis to football at 11:56 AM - 7 comments
Oklahoma-Clemson was closer than the final score makes it appear -- 23-17 Clemson with five minutes left in the third quarter.
I hope Clemson has one more upset left in it, but Alabama dealt Michigan State such a crushing defeat I think this might be another Nick Saban year.
I expected these games to be bigger in the sports world in the days leading up to them, like it feels in the week leading up to the conference championships in the NFL. But the bowl schedule and long break after the regular season hurt their appeal.
I wonder if it would be different if there was only a one- or two-week break between the regular season and these two playoff games, then another one week before the championship.
posted by rcade at 01:08 PM on January 01, 2016
I didn't think that Lane Kiffin was going to turn Coker loose the way he did, and that Coker would be that effective against the MSU defense. That was eye opening.
Alabama looks very tough. They're playing with great focus, effort, and discipline. Jolly Santa Saban must have staffers following the players around with a box of habanero suppositories in case any of 'em fuck up.
They have over a week to game plan for Clemson, and they have a number of ways they can go on offense. For Clemson to win, I think the Bama DL has to reenact the opening cabaret scene from Das Boot the night before the game and Coker has to have an off day. Which many QB's who are more skilled than he is have certainly had before. Jameis looked like a dollar store Tarvaris Jackson against Oregon last year.
posted by beaverboard at 01:26 PM on January 01, 2016
Clemson will have to play as well as they can and hope that Alabama only plays an average (for Alabama) game. Ole Miss only beat them because of a couple of lucky long plays and an insane 5-0 turnover margin.
One touchdown favorites? Jesus, take Bama and the points.
posted by Etrigan at 06:01 PM on January 01, 2016
Ratings were down by 1/3 from last year thanks to ESPN and the CFP committee wanting to establish New Year's Eve as a football appointment day.
posted by Etrigan at 08:03 PM on January 01, 2016
Alabama has dominant offensive and defensive lines. Clemson secondary is leaky when opposing QBs are given any time. Unless Coker lays a humongous turd this one should be over before the half.
posted by cixelsyd at 12:46 PM on January 03, 2016
Only caught a little of the latter but sure seemed like boys against men to me. The margins of victory in the two games definitely caught me by surprise, especially for Clemson since I thought Oklahoma would show the Tigers up easily.