STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 21: Dani Dennis-Sutton #33 of the Penn State Nittany Lions … [+]
The opening days of the 12-team College Football Playoff were expected to provide some exciting and competitive matchups from a collection of FBS programs.
Instead, fans witnessed overmatched opponents becoming on-field fodder in an otherwise forgettable introduction to modified postseason football.
Four College Football Playoff games were played across two days this past week from Friday, Dec. 20 to Saturday, Dec. 21. Each matchup featured Power 4 opponents that were chosen for the playoff as at-large selections by the CFP committee.
The end results were four consecutive double-digit victories by home teams who hosted their first-ever playoff game. Most matchups were decided in the first half while some took more of a meticulous approach that still never felt close.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – DECEMBER 20: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball … [+]
While the Indiana Hoosiers are regarded as college football’s feel good turnaround story of the season, the likelihood of them making a deep postseason run felt slim.
Having their first game out the gate be against fellow instate rival Notre Dame didn’t make matters any better.
The Fighting Irish were efficient on the ground and through the air by amassing 394 yards of total offense and five scoring drives. A 98-yard touchdown run by Jeremiah Love got the party started as Notre Dame raced out to a 27-3 lead with 4:50 left in the fourth that ended up a 27-17 victory.
Before the game, Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti told members of ESPN’s College GameDay that his team didn’t just beat top-25 opponents they ‘“beat the (explitive) out of them.’’ On the season, IU was outscored by two playoff-bound top-25 opponents in Ohio State and Notre Dame 65-32.
Both are the lone losses from Indiana’s 11-2 campaign.
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 21: Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs … [+]
There was some initial doubt about if a 11-2 Southern Methodist University team deserved an at-large playoff bid after losing the ACC Title Game to the Clemson Tigers.
The program received the final at-large nod over the the Alabama Crimson Tide and were rewarded a road matchup versus the Penn State Nittany Lions.
While the Mustangs’ defense held tall early, starting quarterback Kelvin Jennings tossed two backbreaking pick sixes in the first and second quarter. Penn State raced ahead 14-0 before executing two consecutive offensive scoring drives to finish the half up 28-0.
SMU would eventually get on the board during the second half, but fell in defeat 38-10 against the Big 10 conference runner-ups.
The Mustangs averaged under two yards per rush on 36 carries and converted only three of their 14 third downs. Jennings had under 200 yards passing as SMU watched the Nittany Lions nearly outgain their entire offense on the ground alone.
The defeat began online discussions of why the CFP committee should prioritize competitive teams over most deserving opponents. One point to their discussion was referencing SMU’s underwhelming 1-2 record versus ranked opponents this season.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: Quintrevion Wisner #26 of the Texas Longhorns runs the ball for a … [+]
The most competitive matchup of last weekend featured two former national champions in the Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers. Both came off of emotional conference championship performances with Texas losing the SEC championship game and Clemson upsetting SMU in the ACC title game.
The Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead with an efficient opening scoring drive. Texas matched the score and then some with three consecutive offensive scoring possessions that were finished off by two touchdown runs and a touchdown pass.
After Clemson finally re-entered the scoring column with a field goal, Texas responded with another touchdown drive. Up 28-10, it seemed as if the Longhorns were on track to roll into the quarterfinal.
Instead, Clemson hopped back in it thanks to two touchdown tosses from their junior quarterback Cade Klubnik. Klubnik threw for over 330 yards passing and three scores, but couldn’t overcome a 77-yard touchdown holy by Texas’ Jayden Blue that put the game out of reach at 38-24.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – DECEMBER 21: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a … [+]
The one thing Ohio State wanted to show doubters is that they were a legit playoff team following their upset defeat versus an underwhelming Michigan Wolverines team.
A home playoff game against the 10-2 Tennessee Volunteers was an ideal opportunity, and Ohio State did not disappoint. OSU scored touchdowns on their first three possessions to jump out to a 21-0 lead before starting the third quarter with three more consecutive scoring drives after the Vols cut the deficit to 21-10 before the half.
Quarterback Will Howard and receiver Jeremiah Smith starred for the Buckeyes with dominant individual showings. Howard threw for 311 yards and two scores while Smith snagged two touchdowns and went over 100 yards receiving in the team’s 42-17 victory.
Tennessee was outgained 473-256 and only mustered 104 passing yards from 31 attempts. While they didn’t turn the ball over, the Vols registered three three-and-outs and ended 8 offensive possessions with a punt.
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