2021 College Football Part III: Playoffpalooza and the Transfer Portal

[WVRed]

New Thread

[Assembly Hall]

IU's Penix to Washington.

[Revering4Blue]

IU's Penix to Washington.Reunited with Kalen DeBoer. Makes sense.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

[kaldaniels]

Deion Sanders is getting the top ranked recruit in the county to come to Jackson State?!

[cumberlandreds]

Deion Sanders is getting the top ranked recruit in the county to come to Jackson State?!

Deion was named COY at the FCS level for 2021. Amazing!

[RedTeamGo!]

Deion was named COY at the FCS level for 2021. Amazing!

lol, has nothing to do with that. Deion got Barstool Sports to give the kid a huge NIL deal.

[kaldaniels]

lol, has nothing to do with that. Deion got Barstool Sports to give the kid a huge NIL deal.

I’m trying to parse whether coaches are allowed to be involved in that. Any idea?

[RedTeamGo!]

I’m trying to parse whether coaches are allowed to be involved in that. Any idea?

I think its all legal. And if it wasn't what is the NCAA going to do? These kinds of things are happening all over the country. The moment the NIL box was opened NCAA basically became completely useless. College football, as we knew it is, is completely over. We are basically just looking at another professional league where players can only play for so many years.

Speaking of Barstool and NIL - guess where Dave Portnoy went to school? Michigan. Guess who is about to start paying players in a major way?

[Boston Red]

Deion won't be at Jackson State in 2023, and that kid will never step foot on campus (as an enrolled student).

[RedTeamGo!]

Deion won't be at Jackson State in 2023, and that kid will never step foot on campus (as an enrolled student).

Why are people saying that kid will never step foot on campus? Like he is going to transfer before the 2022 season?

[Boston Red]

Why are people saying that kid will never step foot on campus? Like he is going to transfer before the 2022 season?

Sorry, I thought I read he was class of 2023.

[Sea Ray]

It's been a good day for my Vols. So far they've nabbed 3 surprise 4* guys (all on defense). They still have that NCAA investigation hanging over them so this is awfully nice

[adkindo]

I’m trying to parse whether coaches are allowed to be involved in that. Any idea?

no, coaches are not allowed to facilitate NIL money to entice a player to sign

Maybe it will work out for the kid, but I personally am skeptical. He will be the toast of the town/media for the next week or so, but after that I expect the spotlight to dim. Next season when guys at FSU are enjoying the riches of FBS Top 25 facilities and lining up to play Clemson, Miami and UNC on ABC/ESPN.....he will be training in SWAC facilities playing against FAMU, Bethune Cookman and Alabama A&M. Remember that week that the media praised Makur Maker for committing and Nojel Eastern for transferring to Howard.

[adkindo]

It's been a good day for my Vols. So far they've nabbed 3 surprise 4* guys (all on defense). They still have that NCAA investigation hanging over them so this is awfully nice

and picked up once WVU committed 4 Star RB Justin Williams.....have a feeling he could be special

[adkindo]

UF QB Emory Jones announced he will transfer, but will play in the bowl game. Not sure I have seen someone announce a transfer, and stick around for a bowl game.

[LARKIN]

Alabama just signed a stud class but also just got the best player in the portal, Eli Ricks from LSU. They may win the title this year, but there’s no question about next year.

[WVRed]

UF QB Emory Jones announced he will transfer, but will play in the bowl game. Not sure I have seen someone announce a transfer, and stick around for a bowl game.

New coaching staff coming in. I’d imagine Mullens holdovers are still coaching in the bowl game as well.

[Assembly Hall]

Alabama just signed a stud class but also just got the best player in the portal, Eli Ricks from LSU. They may win the title this year, but there’s no question about next year.

I "love" it when fans speculate with absolutes.

[Boston Red]

If you're in the CFP, I assume you essentially have your entire team in a bubble from now until NYE. If the kids go home for the holidays, a number of them are absolutely bringing Covid back with them.

[oregonred]

This is absolutely going to be an issue and may quickly become the biggest factor in the next week.

Somehow Saban avoided it last season while the rest of the CF world (and OSU throughout the CFP) seemed to deal with it all year long.

[RedTeamGo!]

If you're in the CFP, I assume you essentially have your entire team in a bubble from now until NYE. If the kids go home for the holidays, a number of them are absolutely bringing Covid back with them.

Harbaugh went to a UFC fight over the weekend and was surrounded by people shaking hands and whatnot. He 100% has COVID right now.

[Boston Red]

Harbaugh went to a UFC fight over the weekend and was surrounded by people shaking hands and whatnot. He 100% has COVID right now.

Smart to get it on the 18th. Gives him time.

[adkindo]

Harbaugh went to a UFC fight over the weekend and was surrounded by people shaking hands and whatnot. He 100% has COVID right now.

I am not even familiar with current testing requirements.....are they testing vaccinated players regularly?

[Bob Sheed]

I am not even familiar with current testing requirements.....are they testing vaccinated players regularly?

Only non-Power 5 players.

[WVRed]

And it begins:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32924077/texas-aggies-pull-gator-bowl-college-football-game-due-covid-19-issues-program-sources-say%3Fplatform%3Damp

[Boston Red]

See if BYU wants to play another bowl game. They locked themselves into a bowl that was below the type of season they had. This would be a more appropriate spot. I mean, with Covid all the normal rules are pretty much out the window.

[cumberlandreds]

I would think a replacement would have to be someone wo played last weekend or the next few days. BYU would be a decent team for them to play.

[Cyclone792]

And it begins:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32924077/texas-aggies-pull-gator-bowl-college-football-game-due-covid-19-issues-program-sources-say%3Fplatform%3Damp

The Curse of Cincinnati sports will probably strike again. In other words, COVID will somehow screw UC.

And once that happens we'll just add it to the list of all the other things that have screwed Cincinnati sports teams for the last 22 years.

[WVRed]

I would think a replacement would have to be someone wo played last weekend or the next few days. BYU would be a decent team for them to play.

Illinois and Marshall are being floated and Marshall just played in a bowl game.

[Chip R]

Looks like it's going to be Rutgers.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32926787/oversight-committee-meet-discuss-whether-rutgers-scarlet-knights-gator-bowl-opposition-wake-forest-demon-deacons

[Bob Sheed]

I like Cincinnati's chances vs COVID more than I like Alabama's chances vs COVID.

[RedTeamGo!]

I like Cincinnati's chances vs COVID more than I like Alabama's chances vs COVID.

IDK, Bama didn't have any issues it last year. I think they had a coach out. "Miraculously" they had no players out for semi or national championship games

[bucksfan2]

IDK, Bama didn't have any issues it last year. I think they had a coach out. "Miraculously" they had no players out for semi or national championship games

Saban missed a game.

I think a lot of the southern teams had the virus early on whereas a lot of the late adaptors to football had the virus towards the end of the season.

[adkindo]

Only non-Power 5 players.

Based on what we know about the newest variant which is clearly the dominant variant in the US now, there is no reason to be testing vaccinated players unless they show symptoms. I think everyone is getting close to accepting there is no running from omicron for youngish and healthy individuals......only the self protection of being vaccinated. We need a paradigm shift to accept that if there are 10 asymptomatic players on the field in a game......that is ok.

[JaxRed]

I predict SEC will have a below .500 record in the bowls.

[adkindo]

Going into the 4th.....UCF up 26-17 on UF. Gatorfan will not be happy if UCF wins this game.

[adkindo]

Hawaii pulling out of bowl tomorrow.....hope Memphis at least gets a day or to to just enjoy Hawaii.

[GAC]

Going into the 4th.....UCF up 26-17 on UF. Gatorfan will not be happy if UCF wins this game.

The SEC is starting out 0-2 (and to Group of Five schools too). Got a feeling though that this is going to be a topsy-turvy Bowl season with lots of "WTH"? lol

[Boston Red]

I don't think there's much WTH about this terrible Florida team losing to pretty much anyone.

[KronoRed]

I don't think there's much WTH about this terrible Florida team losing to pretty much anyone.

Most Florida fans after last night

"We were in a bowl?"

[adkindo]

Most Florida fans after last night

"We were in a bowl?"

Yeah, that is not true. They probably wished this team did not play in a bowl game, but they all wanted desperately to win just to not allow UCF to claim a victory over them. UCF has been the best college team in Florida 3 of the last 5 years (2017, 2018, 2021).

[cumberlandreds]

I saw that two more bowls were canceled. because of our old friend COVID, Fenway Bowl and Military Bowl.

https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/26/military-bowl-fenway-bowl-canceled-covid-bc-uva-smu-east-carolina

[Boston Red]

Hopefully one of the Fenway or Military Bowl teams can fill in for Miami in the Sun Bowl.

[Boston Red]

Who is in charge of testing for these teams anyway? If I'm a playoff team, I'd be having vaccinated kids with no symptoms swabbing their ears at this point if they were required to test.

[GAC]

Who is in charge of testing for these teams anyway? If I'm a playoff team, I'd be having vaccinated kids with no symptoms swabbing their ears at this point if they were required to test.

I understand caution; but what does the science, up to this point, say about this new varient? Highly contagious, yet far less severity as far as level of illness. That should be celebrated as good news! This virus is going to run it's course mask or no mask. Again, not saying don't take precautions, but lets quit treating this thing as the Black Death. I'm vaccinated/Boosted, wear a mask inside when in public. I caught something last week, that was, IMO, mild flu symptoms (headache, sore throat/cough, runny nose. Gone after a day. Was it the seasonal flu or this omnicron? lol

https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/22/omicron-oddity-case-numbers-dont-predict-deaths/


In earlier waves, rising death rates would follow an increase in cases; the impact of rising cases on death rates could be seen visually and validated statistically. Deaths would follow cases upward, and peak roughly two to three weeks after new cases began trending downward. With Omicron, however, we not only don’t see the rise in death rates that were associated with the first waves, but we actually see a continuing decline in death rates, despite a radical increase in cases.

So, according to the math, Omicron cases rising no longer automatically means impending doom and gloom, nor does it require apocalyptic language like we’re hearing from the media and political leaders implying mass waves of death with rapidly increasing case rates.

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1066649196/omicron-will-cause-more-infections-but-lower-hospital-rates-analysis-shows

[adkindo]

I understand caution; but what does the science, up to this point, say about this new varient? Highly contagious, yet far less severity as far as level of illness. That should be celebrated as good news! This virus is going to run it's course mask or no mask. Again, not saying don't take precautions, but lets quit treating this thing as the Black Death. I'm vaccinated/Boosted, wear a mask inside when in public. I caught something last week, that was, IMO, mild flu symptoms (headache, sore throat/cough, runny nose. Gone after a day. Was it the seasonal flu or this omnicron? lol

https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/22/omicron-oddity-case-numbers-dont-predict-deaths/



https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1066649196/omicron-will-cause-more-infections-but-lower-hospital-rates-analysis-shows

I read an article yesterday that a much higher percentage of Omicron cases are actually testing negative for vaccinated individuals.....not even going to try to repeat the science for why that is happening....mostly because I do not really remember/fully understand the details. Many cases have only shown those type of symptoms for 24-48 hours for vaccinated people, so I would not be surprised at all if you actually were positive. Based on the wastewater analysis the CDC gas been reviewing in Orange County (Central Florida), it was suggested it would be difficult to throw a rock and not hit someone actually infected with Omicron.

[Boston Red]

Anyone else going to the Cincinnati/Alabama game Friday? Pretty short drive for us, and I have a nephew who goes to UC who is going down for the game. Ended up getting tickets for the boys and I relatively high up in the upper deck, but at the 50 yard line, for $125 each. With fees, about $500 all in for three tickets, so not bad at all. Should be a good time, and hopefully it will be a decent game.

[Sea Ray]

Doubt it'll be a decent game but good for you for securing reasonable tickets and going. :thumbup:

[Boston Red]

Louisville is embarrassingly bad in Scott Satterfield's third season.

Air Force's QB is 3 for 3 passing for 165 yards and 2 TDs. 55 yards per pass.

[WVRed]

Louisville is embarrassingly bad in Scott Satterfield's third season.

Air Force's QB is 3 for 3 passing for 165 yards and 2 TDs. 55 yards per pass.

I’d imagine the new AD is going to want a fresh start so Satterfield and Mack may be updating resumes.

[RedTeamGo!]

Is the SEC outside of Bama and Georgia just absolute trash or what?

[Boston Red]

Getting your bowl canceled 4.5 hours before kick is pretty tough. I hope NC State finds another game somehow.

[Boston Red]

Is the SEC outside of Bama and Georgia just absolute trash or what?

Apparently. Maybe Georgia, too.

[RedTeamGo!]

Apparently. Maybe Georgia, too.

It’s so weird… TT is a bad team and they are just completely destroying Miss St.

[Sea Ray]

Is the SEC outside of Bama and Georgia just absolute trash or what?

Let's wait and see how Tennessee does before saying that :D

[RedTeamGo!]

Let's wait and see how Tennessee does before saying that :D

SEC is 0-4 against the likes of Army, UCF, Texas Tech, and Houston. Absolutely embarrassing. That’s PAC-12 like.

It shows how fraudulent the SEC is with regard to rankings. Miss St started the season 5-3 and was inexplicably ranked 17th right before they played and got blown out by Alabama, which gave Bama a top 25 win.

[Boston Red]

SEC is 0-4 against the likes of Army, Air Force, Texas Tech, and Houston. Absolutely embarrassing. That’s PAC-12 like.


Hey now, the Air Force loss was by a terrible ACC team and not a terrible SEC team! Central Florida is the fourth SEC loss.

[RedTeamGo!]

Hey now, the Air Force loss was by a terrible ACC team and not a terrible SEC team! Central Florida is the fourth SEC loss.

You’re right! I’ll edit. Florida getting housed by UCF is just as embarrassing.

[Boston Red]

The "get in" price for Michigan/Georgia has dipped below $200 after starting out at around $600. So anyone in south Florida over the weekend and looking for something to do...

The national championship tickets are absurd right now. Almost $800 for the cheapest ticket. However, if you happen to be a Cincinnati fan I think you can take comfort in the fact that surely those tickets are mostly held by Alabama fans currently. If UC happens to do the unthinkable in two days, I suspect there will be a lot of tickets flooding the market.

[Sea Ray]

SEC is 0-4 against the likes of Army, UCF, Texas Tech, and Houston. Absolutely embarrassing. That’s PAC-12 like.

It shows how fraudulent the SEC is with regard to rankings. Miss St started the season 5-3 and was inexplicably ranked 17th right before they played and got blown out by Alabama, which gave Bama a top 25 win.

It appears you're chomping at the bit to slam the SEC. As I recall they got 13 Bowl bids. It's early and it's also a weird year with C19, transfers, opt outs and all. But if at the end of the day, it's a down year for the conference, then it's a down year.

[BuckeyeRed27]

The "get in" price for Michigan/Georgia has dipped below $200 after starting out at around $600. So anyone in south Florida over the weekend and looking for something to do...

The national championship tickets are absurd right now. Almost $800 for the cheapest ticket. However, if you happen to be a Cincinnati fan I think you can take comfort in the fact that surely those tickets are mostly held by Alabama fans currently. If UC happens to do the unthinkable in two days, I suspect there will be a lot of tickets flooding the market.

If the game ends up being Cincinnati v Michigan $800 is going to be an extreme bargain!

[Reds Freak]

Chaotic game in Nashville. Game of the bowl season if you don't like a lick of defense.

[kaldaniels]

It’s wild but there seems to be quite a few business decisions being made in this UT-Purdue game.

[Boston Red]

This is what non-playoff Bowl games should look like.

[Reds Freak]

This is what non-playoff Bowl games should look like.

Except without a Broadway Street bachelorette party reference every other play by the announcers.

[RedsBaron]

Tennessee was robbed by the officials.

[kaldaniels]

Tennessee was robbed by the officials.

Are you talking about the play where the offensive player was pulling the runner forward?

Tough ruling on forward progress, but not a robbery.

[BuckeyeRed27]

That was a slightly tough call, but he was stopped.

[GAC]

Chaotic game in Nashville. Game of the bowl season if you don't like a lick of defense.

That was hilarious to watch lol

B10 starting off solid this Bowl season. 5-0

[Assembly Hall]

that was hilarious to watch lol

b10 starting off solid this bowl season. 5-0

sec, sec, sec...

[RedsBaron]

That was a slightly tough call, but he was stopped.

Before the whistle blew, without him being down, the TN runner clearly reached the ball across the goal line. If he was stopped, the whistle should have blown. I have no connection to either school but the refs blew the call.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Before the whistle blew, without him being down, the TN runner clearly reached the ball across the goal line. If he was stopped, the whistle should have blown. I have no connection to either school but the refs blew the call.

The whistle being blown doesn’t have to happen for forward progress to be called.

[Stray]

Lets go Bearcats!

[RedTeamGo!]

Regardless of the call - Purdue’s two best players sat and still beat an SEC team in basically a road game. An SEC team that gave Bama a fight for 3 quarters. Maybe UC does have a shot today. SEC looks like trash.

[Roy Tucker]

Wisconsin possesses the ball and grinds out the last 9:57 of the game. 18 plays.

They should have called it the Hamburger Bowl.

[cumberlandreds]

Before the whistle blew, without him being down, the TN runner clearly reached the ball across the goal line. If he was stopped, the whistle should have blown. I have no connection to either school but the refs blew the call.

I'm far from a Tennessee fan but they did get a bad call. Whistle was blown too quick and it cost them a TD and maybe the game. I think everyone knew the SEC was down this year. But don't worry they will be back.

[Boston Red]

Wisconsin possesses the ball and grinds out the last 9:57 of the game. 18 plays.

They should have called it the Hamburger Bowl.

As someone who had the under 42.5, it was glorious!

[Sea Ray]

Before the whistle blew, without him being down, the TN runner clearly reached the ball across the goal line. If he was stopped, the whistle should have blown. I have no connection to either school but the refs blew the call.

Correct.

Definitely a down year for the SEC but my Vols have come a long way since losing over half their 2020 starters to the portal. That said, the defense needs a lot of work

- - - Updated - - -


The whistle being blown doesn’t have to happen for forward progress to be called.

That's what happens when forward progress is called. W/O the whistle, play continues

[BuckeyeRed27]

Correct.

Definitely a down year for the SEC but my Vols have come a long way since losing over half their 2020 starters to the portal. That said, the defense needs a lot of work

- - - Updated - - -



That's what happens when forward progress is called. W/O the whistle, play continues

That is not correct. There does not need to be a whistle for forward progress to have been ruled.

[Sea Ray]

That is not correct. There does not need to be a whistle for forward progress to have been ruled.

There should be a whistle but that's neither here nor there to this discussion. My point is that it was a bad officiating decision or in other words "call", to say that his forward progress had stopped. It hadn't

[RedTeamGo!]

There should be a whistle but that's neither here nor there to this discussion. My point is that it was a bad officiating decision or in other words "call", to say that his forward progress had stopped. It hadn't

It had, he waited too long to reach the ball out. Poor decision by the RB.

[BuckeyeRed27]

It had, he waited too long to reach the ball out. Poor decision by the RB.

Yep he needed to stretch earlier. He waited until he was stopped and then did it. If they would have given the TD I think it would have been ok too, but he had been stopped.

[Boston Red]

These playoff games are fun. Looking right down on the 50 with my 2 boys. My youngest has never really been to a big game, so this is awesome to experience with him. The older boy has been to two World Series games, so...not that excited for him!

[kaldaniels]

I’ve been the biggest doubter of how UC would fare against the big boys…

But with all my heart, Go Bearcats!!!

[LARKIN]

These playoff games are fun. Looking right down on the 50 with my 2 boys. My youngest has never really been to a big game, so this is awesome to experience with him. The older boy has been to two World Series games, so...not that excited for him!

Congrats on getting to see the greatest dynasty in sports.

[WVRed]

Bama strikes first and only pass was on the TD.

Looks like Saban is going to run it down Cincys throat.

[Sea Ray]

Bama strikes first and only pass was on the TD.

Looks like Saban is going to run it down Cincys throat.

Exactly what I predicted weeks ago:


UC has no chance vs Alabama IMO. They may score late garbage points and close the gap but I'd still put money on Alabama. It basically boils down to this:

Alabama will overpower the Bearcat defense. The Bearcats run a 3 man D-line that includes guys that weigh 255, 275 and 285 lbs. Alabama's O-line has 5 guys and their weights range from 295---->350 lbs. This will wear down UC and keep Ridder and their offense off the field. Alabama will rarely have to pass but when they do, they'll make it count. Quite simply UC doesn't have the men to match up.

https://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?122442-2021-College-Football-Thread-Part-Two-The-Road-to-the-Playoffs&p=4359806&viewfull=1#post4359806

[Reds Freak]

Exactly what I predicted weeks ago:



https://www.redszone.com/forums/showthread.php?122442-2021-College-Football-Thread-Part-Two-The-Road-to-the-Playoffs&p=4359806&viewfull=1#post4359806

Maybe give it more than one drive.

[Sea Ray]

Maybe give it more than one drive.

All it took was one drive to see the strategy Saban came out with. That's my point

[RedTeamGo!]

Yeah, SR is right. UC’s defense is making Brian Robinson look like Derrick Henry.

[Reds Freak]

Yeah, SR is right. UC’s defense is making Brian Robinson look like Derrick Henry.

And yet, here they are only down a TD after a quarter and they've only touched the ball once. Plenty of time to make an adjustment.

[RedTeamGo!]

And yet, here they are only down a TD after a quarter and they've only touched the ball once. Plenty of time to make an adjustment.

I agree, Bama’s defense is ass (outside of Anderson) - just sayin, UC’s defense is going to have a long day.

[Roy Tucker]

UC is a second half team, but Alabama has owned the line of scrimmage. UC has to hang in there.

[kaldaniels]

Big stop there.

[GAC]

If I had any criticism of the Bearcats at all in this first half it would be some poor tackling.

[kaldaniels]

I love how after something like a Bama missed field goal you know the production is going to instantly cut to a pissed off Saban.

[GAC]

208 total yards for Alabama versus 67 for Cincinnati. It's amazing the score is only 10 to 3. Come on Cincy!

[Sea Ray]

I love how after something like a Bama missed field goal you know the production is going to instantly cut to a pissed off Saban.

But he wasn't real pissed. He was upbeat

[GAC]

Missed opportunity there

[GAC]

The bearcats have got to figure out a way to stop Robinson.

[Sea Ray]

I'm surprised Alabama isn't running it more

[Sea Ray]

Best thing for UC is that Young is not playing well

[Roy Tucker]

172 rushing yards for Alabama in the first half. That’s a killer there.

UC gives up a TD but a nice kickoff return. UC has to score.

[Reds Freak]

I think the UC defense strategy has been fine. They just have done squat on offense after that first drive, which has killed them.

[GAC]

Over 300 total yards for Alabama. Not good. Let's see if the Bearcats can make some adjustments at half.

[Roy Tucker]

Alabama is just a better team.

UC has been a second half team but this is Alabama.

[Sea Ray]

I think the UC defense strategy has been fine. They just have done squat on offense after that first drive, which has killed them.

The D strategy has been fine. Their problem is that they're outmanned

[dabvu2498]

UC’s passing game is inadequate for this opponent.

[Hillsdale87]

Ridder needs to take a Xanax at halftime. The OL is not holding up, but he looks terrified as soon as the first read is covered. He's missed quite a few that he should have had


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

UC is fortunate to only be down 14. It'd sure be nice to score a TD on the first possession of the second half

[BuckeyeRed27]

UC is fortunate to only be down 14. It'd sure be nice to score a TD on the first possession of the second half

They basically have to. They are going to have to score pretty much every time they have it because they aren’t going to stop Bama every time.

All Bama has to do is run. I don’t think there’s anything Cincinnati can do to stop it.

[Boston Red]

TD first drive of 2nd half or it's over.

[klw]

Pretty sick of the Funderstuck ad already.

[Sea Ray]

I don't think FGs will mean much in this game

[RedTeamGo!]

Cowardly field goal, gotta go for it there.

[Roy Tucker]

I don’t get why UC isn’t trying more downfield passes. I know the OL is an issue but you gotta try. Little dink passes play right into Alabama’s athleticism.

[Hillsdale87]

UC is probably not going to win this game, but they have proven that they have as much right to be here as any other 4 seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kaldaniels]

Saban is just pulling out enough to win.

And Ridder, I know you are outmanned, but as a first-rounder you gotta find a way to make something happen.

[kaldaniels]

UC is probably not going to win this game, but they have proven that they have as much right to be here as any other 4 seed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With all due respect to Cincinnati, Bama has owned them this game but has just chosen to not turn on the jet engine.

There are 20 minutes left for that to change. It’s not over yet.

[RedTeamGo!]

Saban is just pulling out enough to win.

And Ridder, I know you are outmanned, but as a first-rounder you gotta find a way to make something happen.

So far this game has looked like Bama playing a non SEC team the week before conference schedule begins. They are using maybe 25% of their playbook.

[BuckeyeRed27]

With all due respect to Cincinnati, Bama has owned them this game but has just chosen to not turn on the jet engine.

There are 20 minutes left for that to change. It’s not over yet.

I’m honestly not sure this version of Bama has that jet engine. At the very least they don’t have the switch to just turn it on.

But Cincinnati can’t do anything to slow down the Bama front 7.

[kaldaniels]

Cincy has had 3 or 4 attempts at drives (not counting the recent FG drive) where if they scored a TD it would make this a real game and has failed miserably each time.

[WVRed]

So far this game has looked like Bama playing a non SEC team the week before conference schedule begins. They are using maybe 25% of their playbook.

This kinda reminds me of the Bengals game a few years ago when they played the Jets week 17 and basically threw the game by not showing anything because they had the division wrapped up.

Then they played the Jets again the following week in the wild card and still lost.

Can you blame Bama though? It’s working and not giving Harbaugh or Kirby anything to review for film.

[Roy Tucker]

Not that there was much doubt, but that Alabama TD seals the deal. 24-6 Alabama.

[Boston Red]

UC's offense is just awful.

[Sea Ray]

UC's offense is just awful.

Alabama's making them look that way

[Boston Red]

Alabama's making them look that way

No, that offense looked terrible often in the AAC, too.

[Roy Tucker]

Alabama's making them look that way

Yeah, it’s the quality of the opposition. But UC’s offensive line is getting exposed. Alabama has 300+ lb tackles anchoring the lines and good big smart linebackers. I thought UC would have success against Alabama’s thin secondary but they just aren’t even getting a chance to.

[Sea Ray]

No, that offense looked terrible often in the AAC, too.

In the AAC UC's lowest output was 27 pts and they scored over 50 twice. There's no comparison to tonight

[RedTeamGo!]

UC's offense is just awful.

UC scored like 50 against Houston in the conf championship. Bama is just Bama. The crazy part is this is Bama when they are a bit down. Last year’s Bama team was significantly better than this year.

[Sea Ray]

Looks like 2 FGs is all UC will muster today

But a 21 pt game looks better than what Bama did to OSU last yr

I agree with RTG that this is a down yr for Bama

[Reds Freak]

An uninspiring offensive game plan and execution. And when you get TD catches in your hands, you gotta catch them.

[WVRed]

In non playoff news, WVU is losing their top QB and WR to the portal and fans are melting down wanting Neal Browns head on a platter.

[schmidty622]

Much better game than I expected, especially after the first Bama drive. Cincy matched up really well everywhere except Oline and QB, IMO. I certainly don't think that was a blowout or embarrassing for UC at all.

Now betting on Georgia but rooting for Michigan. Win-Win I guess!

[757690]

As much as I despise TTUN, I think they make the Big Ten proud and give the SEC another Bowl loss today.

[RedTeamGo!]

As much as I despise TTUN, I think they make the Big Ten proud and give the SEC another Bowl loss today.

I think this is a really bad matchup for UM. Those two mountains at the cointoss are a big reason why. UM is a power running team and that is exactly what UGA was built to stop. Georgia is the complete opposite of Ohio State.

[RedTeamGo!]

That was dumb by Harbaugh to for it there. It’s 5 minutes into the game and you already playing panicked?

[Hillsdale87]

That was dumb by Harbaugh to for it there. It’s 5 minutes into the game and you already playing panicked?

I thought it was the right call. Guy was open. Gotta hit that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hillsdale87]

With all due respect to Cincinnati, Bama has owned them this game but has just chosen to not turn on the jet engine.

There are 20 minutes left for that to change. It’s not over yet.

I didn't mean UC looked like they could play with Bama. Bama was clearly much better. But the 1 v. 4 matchup is almost always a blowout. UC didn't look any worse than most past 4 seeds


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[757690]

I think this is a really bad matchup for UM. Those two mountains at the cointoss are a big reason why. UM is a power running team and that is exactly what UGA was built to stop. Georgia is the complete opposite of Ohio State.

Looks like my natural pessimistic instincts are wrong, thankfully.

[LARKIN]

I told you guys there wasn’t a chance. Just different caliber athletes.
I will say tho, I give Cincy credit, this was closer than most of the playoff games have been.

[Hillsdale87]

UC certainly looked like they belong more than Michigan does.

I really wish OSU would have beaten Michigan. I still think OSU is likely the better team and would have been more of a threat in the playoffs with their ability to score. But I'm glad I'm not watching OSU get beaten down right now. I think they'd move the ball better, but I can't imagine how they would stop Georgia


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[Sea Ray]

As much as I despise TTUN, I think they make the Big Ten proud and give the SEC another Bowl loss today.

Really?

[Sea Ray]

Ohio State definitely would have given a better game than UC but I think Notre Dame would have also lost by 3 TDS

Georgia is really prepared for this game. Kudos to them

[wolfboy]

UC fan here. One of few it seems. Not hanging my head this evening. The Michigan score is a good reminder that a lot of these semifinal games are blow outs. I'm a little frustrated at the lack of adjustments on both sides of the ball from the coaching staff, but what can you say. Sauce Gardner and Myjai Sanders increased their income potential this evening. Dez Ridder not so much. I'm still really proud of these kids. They did more to put UC football on the map than anyone else ever. It was a really good season for my Bearcats and the future looks bright with Coach Fick at the helm.

[WVRed]

I think this is a really bad matchup for UM. Those two mountains at the cointoss are a big reason why. UM is a power running team and that is exactly what UGA was built to stop. Georgia is the complete opposite of Ohio State.

I said before Georgia played Bama that Georgia would get exposed because to that point they hadn’t faced a Heisman caliber QB like Bryce Young.

Michigan isn’t Bama. Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy aren’t Bryce Young. If anything Michigan is the B1G equivalent of Georgia in that as you said they are built on power running team. Georgia is just better than Michigan and the matchup favors the Dawgs.

That said I’d have loved to have seen CJ Stroud against Georgia. Would have probably been a shootout.

[KronoRed]

What a couple of dud games.

[RedTeamGo!]

What a couple of dud games.

This was an odd season. All year it seemed like Bama and Georgia were a cut above everyone else. Clemson and OSU were both really down, OSU finally got caught with their defensive pants down in the Minnesota and Oregon games. Michigan got hyped late because they squeaked by everyone on their schedule (other than Sparty), beat up the worst Buckeye team in a decade, and then tore apart a trash Iowa team. The last few weeks UM was getting hyped up but anyone that actually watched the games this year knew Georgia was going to do this to a fraudulent UM team. UC deserved to make it here, but their schedule after ND was easy peasy. Bama is a really tough draw for underdog teams. Saban simply doesn’t take underdogs lightly. He had the Tide ready and as a result UC never had a chance. This game was over the second it was announced. Bama talent + Saban = no chance for UC. The only way to beat Bama in a CFP scenario is to have similar talent level, excellent coaching, and a good amount of luck. UC had excellent coaching, not enough luck today, but the talent is not remotely comparable. It will be interesting to see what they do in the Big 12 - going to be fun to watch. Really, UM’s talent is not remotely comparable to Georgia either. The two most talented teams according to 247sports are meeting in the national championship.

This was the year for a team other than Bama to win it with the big boys being a lot younger than a lot of solid programs with super seniors and veterans. Alas, it’s going to be Bama winning it all again. They looked suspect quite a bit this season but the moment they absolutely crushed Georgia in the SEC title game the rest of this season was going down very predictably. Good grief when does Saban finally retire??

[Sea Ray]

You see now the talent that Georgia and Alabama have and why it's so daunting for a school like my Vols to compete. Two schools like that on our schedule every year. It now appears that Texas A&M and LSU will also be stockpiling talent. It's rough. It's certainly a down year for the SEC as a whole but even in a down year, they've got the two best teams and will crown another national champion

Ohio State did not have the resume but they clearly would have scored a TD or two were they in either of these games. They were easily one of the 4 best teams. The Oregon game killed their resume

[adkindo]

Ohio State did not have the resume but they clearly would have scored a TD or two were they in either of these games. They were easily one of the 4 best teams. The Oregon game killed their resume

If Ohio State was on their game, their offense was more dynamic and would have put up more points......but their defense would have likely got exposed just as bad if not worse than Cincinnati and Michigan.

[adkindo]

I expect UGA to put up more of a fight this time, but my money would still be on Alabama winning by more than a TD. They both have athletic freaks all over the field, but 'Bama has the better QB and HC.

[GAC]

To those with a sense of humor, but who also that felt Michigan would win ....

https://c.tenor.com/5vKnZA8IzwIAAAAM/ray-liotta-laughing.gif

As stated earlier, it was a bad match-up. I easily took Georgia, with no reservations. I watched the Wolverines all year, and other then the OSU game - and I give credit where credit is due. they out-coached and kicked the Buckeye's butt - I wasn't impressed with this year's Wolverine team. Improved? Sure. But they were barely beating (escaping) average to so-so teams, lost to MSU, and could/should have lost to Rutgers (thanks to missed PI call on throw into endzone by the Knights). That Rutgers game raised huge concerns about Michigan's offense. Rutger's D shut the Wolverines down in the second half.

Michigan never faced off vs an elite defense such as Georgia's. Georgia "slowed" Haskins, and made Michigan try to win on the arms of their tandem QB team. Again. I was very impressed with what their offense accomplished vs the Buckeyes. But again, the Buck's were having issues all season with their defense, which was erratic. Looking at Michigan's offense overall in '21 I didn't think they had a chance vs the Bulldogs. Especially a Georgia team (defense) that got somewhat embarrased by 'Bama in the SEC championship, and were out to prove something. Hungry like the wolf! lol

The Bearcats?

They put up a good fight. Ridder couldn't do anything for the most part. But I don't see this as being an embarassment for their program. First "Group of Five" program to break that barrier and make the CFP. And you don't think a lot of those Cincy players didn't have the jitters being on that national stage and facing off against ALABAMA! LOL

Their defense played pretty good too vs the #1 ranked team in the country ('Bama). This 'Bama team put up 41 points vs the #1 team, and defense, in the country (Georgia). QB Young put up 340 yds passing. Bearcats allowed 180 yds. They couldn't win in the trenches, got bullied IMO, and that's why 'Bama ran the ball down their throats for 300 yards.

Hey! I was a Bearcat skeptic when it came to their making the CFP. But they belonged there.

[GAC]

I expect UGA to put up more of a fight this time, but my money would still be on Alabama winning by more than a TD. They both have athletic freaks all over the field, but 'Bama has the better QB and HC.

Maybe. But 'Bama QB Young didn't come close to having the passing game yesterday he had vs Georgia in the SEC game. Yeah, they ran the ball at will (300 yds); but Young was still 1/28 for 181 yds. Neither of the QBs yesterday were able to throw down field effectively.

I think Georgia's gonna make some adjustments. Georgia may have the better team. But 'Bama has the better coach. Saban OWNS Kirby Smart lol

[jwdoc77]

Maybe. But 'Bama QB Young didn't come close to having the passing game yesterday he had vs Georgia in the SEC game. Yeah, they ran the ball at will (300 yds); but Young was still 1/28 for 181 yds. Neither of the QBs yesterday were able to throw down field effectively.

I think Georgia's gonna make some adjustments. Georgia may have the better team. But 'Bama has the better coach. Saban OWNS Kirby Smart lol

The one thing UGA has going for them is when the talent is close to even, it is really damn hard to beat a team twice in the same season. That being said, Saban is a wizard….so that probably cancels that.


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[Roy Tucker]

I can’t think of anything more uninteresting than a national championship game between Alabama and Georgia. Let’s watch 2 teams from the same conference play for the 3rd time this season. Oh boy. I think I’d rather watch an HGTV movie.

[Sea Ray]

I can’t think of anything more uninteresting than a national championship game between Alabama and Georgia. Let’s watch 2 teams from the same conference play for the 3rd time this season. Oh boy. I think I’d rather watch an HGTV movie.

2nd time.

It just so happens that the best 2 teams are from the same conference and that won't change until recruiting changes

[Sea Ray]

To those with a sense of humor, but who also that felt Michigan would win ....

https://c.tenor.com/5vKnZA8IzwIAAAAM/ray-liotta-laughing.gif

As stated earlier, it was a bad match-up. I easily took Georgia, with no reservations. I watched the Wolverines all year, and other then the OSU game - and I give credit where credit is due. they out-coached and kicked the Buckeye's butt - I wasn't impressed with this year's Wolverine team. Improved? Sure. But they were barely beating (escaping) average to so-so teams, lost to MSU, and could/should have lost to Rutgers (thanks to missed PI call on throw into endzone by the Knights). That Rutgers game raised huge concerns about Michigan's offense. Rutger's D shut the Wolverines down in the second half.

Michigan never faced off vs an elite defense such as Georgia's. Georgia "slowed" Haskins, and made Michigan try to win on the arms of their tandem QB team. Again. I was very impressed with what their offense accomplished vs the Buckeyes. But again, the Buck's were having issues all season with their defense, which was erratic. Looking at Michigan's offense overall in '21 I didn't think they had a chance vs the Bulldogs. Especially a Georgia team (defense) that got somewhat embarrased by 'Bama in the SEC championship, and were out to prove something. Hungry like the wolf! lol

The Bearcats?

They put up a good fight. Ridder couldn't do anything for the most part. But I don't see this as being an embarassment for their program. First "Group of Five" program to break that barrier and make the CFP. And you don't think a lot of those Cincy players didn't have the jitters being on that national stage and facing off against ALABAMA! LOL

Their defense played pretty good too vs the #1 ranked team in the country ('Bama). This 'Bama team put up 41 points vs the #1 team, and defense, in the country (Georgia). QB Young put up 340 yds passing. Bearcats allowed 180 yds. They couldn't win in the trenches, got bullied IMO, and that's why 'Bama ran the ball down their throats for 300 yards.

Hey! I was a Bearcat skeptic when it came to their making the CFP. But they belonged there.

Where were all these bold predictions 3 weeks ago? Instead folks here on RZ were predicting close games:


I took Cincy +13.5. Seems like a crazy high number. Georgia -8 is also probably too many.


That's my thought too. If Bama is so good and it's a guaranteed blowout, then why bother playing the game at all?

Maybe someone should go out to Oakland and see if they can find that 1990 World Series banner that was guaranteed to fly. Oh wait, it's a good thing the Reds were actually allowed on the field that year.


UC has had problems all year against the run. They also start slow - more of a second half team. And the less said about their kicking game, the better. You know how they do that chyron where a team is in FG range? When UC gets the ball close, they should just put that chyron on the extra point line. However, Bama has played poorly at times this year. Notably in the loss against A&M and the Auburn game which they had no right to win. I'm sure Saban will hype UC up like they are a super team but the players may not buy it. Plus UC gave Georgia all they could handle in the bowl game last year so they showed they could hang with the SEC's best. Bama should be favored but let's not pretend it's impossible for UC to win.

No, it was impossible for UC to win. I made that quite clear. Can you all see that now?

My clairvoyance isn't perfect. I overrated Mich. I thought they'd beat Georgia. I ought to know better about overrating Big Ten teams. I should have paid closer attention to the recruiting rankings of Mich. OSU is the only Big Ten team that has the talent Ga and Bama have. Upsets can happen week to week but when you've got about a month to plan, get healthy etc, talent generally prevails

[Roy Tucker]

2nd time.

It just so happens that the best 2 teams are from the same conference and that won't change until recruiting changes

Thanks. It seemed like the 3rd or 4th time. But as an Ohio State fan, I guess I can’t complain.

It doesn’t help that Saban is a very unpleasant man and all-round jerk. But he sure knows how to win college football games.

[Sea Ray]

Thanks. It seemed like the 3rd or 4th time. But as an Ohio State fan, I guess I can’t complain.

It doesn’t help that Saban is a very unpleasant man and all-round jerk. But he sure knows how to win college football games.

You want a nice guy as your coach, Dave Shula is available. Saban is what wins

[RedTeamGo!]

I can’t think of anything more uninteresting than a national championship game between Alabama and Georgia. Let’s watch 2 teams from the same conference play for the 3rd time this season. Oh boy. I think I’d rather watch an HGTV movie.

I am not an SEC fan but I’d rather watch clearly the two best teams in the country play for the national championship than a fraud like UM or a team severely lacking talent like UC play for it. The more I think about that UC game it was honestly like watching a cat play with a mouse. Wasn’t competitive and Bama used maybe 25% of their playbook.

[Roy Tucker]

You want a nice guy as your coach, Dave Shula is available. Saban is what wins

I don’t care about being a nice guy. Just don’t be a complete butthole.

But yeah, he wins. And he’ll continue to win as long as he coaches there. They have a juggernaut.

[kaldaniels]

I am not an SEC fan but I’d rather watch clearly the two best teams in the country play for the national championship than a fraud like UM or a team severely lacking talent like UC play for it. The more I think about that UC game it was honestly like watching a cat play with a mouse. Wasn’t competitive and Bama used maybe 25% of their playbook.

I don’t know how the game ended so far as this goes but at one point yesterday Saban had run the ball more (%-wise) that he had ever done as a coach in his career. He was absolutely toying with UC.

I’m seeing a lot of “see, UC belonged in the playoff” and based on how the season played out, I agree they earned their shot. But I don’t base that on yesterday’s performance. I think Bama could have put up a 50-spot on them.

I’m a Browns fan so through the years I know what it is like to have a better team just going through the motions as they over power you. That’s how I felt yesterday. It’s the worse kind of way to see your team perform.

[cumberlandreds]

SEC may be down overall, mainly because LSU and Florida were the pits this year. But they do have without question the two best teams in the nation. I hope UGA will give Bama a better game this time around and I think they will. But you should never bet against Saban.

[RedsBaron]

SEC may be down overall, mainly because LSU and Florida were the pits this year. But they do have without question the two best teams in the nation. I hope UGA will give Bama a better game this time around and I think they will. But you should never bet against Saban.

I agree. I think the talent on Alabama and Georgia is roughly equal, but I would never bet against Nick Saban.
I know we have some Browns fans here, including GAC. If I was a Browns fan it would drive me crazy to know that for several seasons in the 1990s the Browns had both the greatest NFL coach ever in Bill Belichick and the greatest college football coach ever in Saban, but made no Super Bowls.

[*BaseClogger*]

Has anybody reckoned with the fact all of these CFP semifinal games are crap but we also want the field expanded? #1 vs #8 isn’t going to be any more competitive…

[757690]

Wasn’t competitive and Bama used maybe 25% of their playbook.


I’m seeing a lot of “see, UC belonged in the playoff” and based on how the season played out, I agree they earned their shot. But I don’t base that on yesterday’s performance. I think Bama could have put up a 50-spot on them.


There isn’t a single coach in the history of college football who would hold back during a semi-final Bowl game. I agree that Bama dominated UC for the entire game, but no way that they could have won by more but chose not to. The game was too close and meant too much. One mistake and suddenly you just played your last game of the season.

[RedTeamGo!]

Has anybody reckoned with the fact all of these CFP semifinal games are crap but we also want the field expanded? #1 vs #8 isn’t going to be any more competitive…

I strongly disagree.

Let’s say they expand to 12 teams, top 4 teams get byes the first round. The first round of games would be very competitive. Then we would get the best of the next 8 playing the top 4. Do we honestly think we got the top 4 teams this year? I really don’t believe so. The first round would knock out the frauds and we’d get the best teams in the 2nd round. It would also prevent so many players from opting out of meaningless bowl games. It would save the college football postseason IMHO.

[Boston Red]

Even if the #1 team still always romped, at least we'd get some good other games. Does anyone really care about any of today's games?

[Sea Ray]

Has anybody reckoned with the fact all of these CFP semifinal games are crap but we also want the field expanded? #1 vs #8 isn’t going to be any more competitive…

The idea with expanding the field is that we'd get teams like Ohio State and Utah in the mix. These teams may very well fare better than UC and Mich did yesterday. If the answer's no, then an expanded field would give UC a shot at winning a playoff game. That'd be exciting. I agree that the actual champion would likely not change very often but when games are weekly upsets are more likely

- - - Updated - - -


Even if the #1 team still always romped, at least we'd get some good other games. Does anyone really care about any of today's games?

Good point.

In answer to your question: yes. I do. I'm glued to the TV till midnight tonight

[Sea Ray]

There isn’t a single coach in the history of college football who would hold back during a semi-final Bowl game. I agree that Bama dominated UC for the entire game, but no way that they could have won by more but chose not to. The game was too close and meant too much. One mistake and suddenly you just played your last game of the season.

Why take risks when you can win by 3 TDs just by handing the ball off at 8 yards a pop? If Alabama had to score more they could have but they opted to take the safest win. The only way UC has a chance is if they grab turnovers.

[Roy Tucker]

Why take risks when you can win by 3 TDs just by handing the ball off at 8 yards a pop? If Alabama had to score more they could have but they opted to take the safest win. The only way UC has a chance is if they grab turnovers.

Young didn’t look comfortable in many throwing plays. It would have been interesting to see him have to make throws against a strong UC secondary. But yeah, if you’re averaging 8 yards a carry and run for 301 yards in the ground, there was no need to force the passing game. UC just got whipped.

[RedTeamGo!]

There isn’t a single coach in the history of college football who would hold back during a semi-final Bowl game. I agree that Bama dominated UC for the entire game, but no way that they could have won by more but chose not to. The game was too close and meant too much. One mistake and suddenly you just played your last game of the season.

Nah, you’re wrong about this. Bama regularly holds back in the semi. Did it last year against ND and did it this year against UC.

[Sea Ray]

Young didn’t look comfortable in many throwing plays. It would have been interesting to see him have to make throws against a strong UC secondary. But yeah, if you’re averaging 8 yards a carry and run for 301 yards in the ground, there was no need to force the passing game. UC just got whipped.

Young did not have a good game. It appeared the pressure got to him

[elrojo]

Young did not have a good game. It appeared the pressure got to him

Yes, he'll have to better next time out or Georgia will romp.

[757690]

Nah, you’re wrong about this. Bama regularly holds back in the semi. Did it last year against ND and did it this year against UC.

Bama went up 14-0 after ten minutes in that game, so no, they did not hold back. Maybe after the game was in the bag in the second half, they let up, but every team does that and it’s not the same as holding back the entire game.

Again, when one turnover or one big play can make the game competitive, no coach would ever play less than 100% in a bowl game, let alone a semi-final game. If they did, they are unbelievably stupid, and Saben is a lot of things but he is not stupid.

[kaldaniels]

Has anybody reckoned with the fact all of these CFP semifinal games are crap but we also want the field expanded? #1 vs #8 isn’t going to be any more competitive…

No, but it all but guarantees at least we will be getting the 4 “best” or “best playing” teams come playoff time. Opt-outs make this hard to evaluate now, but maybe Utah would make a run. If included, OSU may play lights out on the speed tracks once the games migrated south.

It’s pretty unarguable that the 2014 OSU team was one of the best playing teams that year come December. But they were this close to missing out. Don’t we want teams like that included? Maybe not, but I do.

[*BaseClogger*]

I strongly disagree.

Let’s say they expand to 12 teams, top 4 teams get byes the first round. The first round of games would be very competitive. Then we would get the best of the next 8 playing the top 4. Do we honestly think we got the top 4 teams this year? I really don’t believe so. The first round would knock out the frauds and we’d get the best teams in the 2nd round. It would also prevent so many players from opting out of meaningless bowl games. It would save the college football postseason IMHO.

Genuinely stopped following CFP developments years ago... is 12 teams realistically what they are considering? I thought 8 teams is more likely.

If they go beyond 8 teams they'll probably consider shortening the regular season, right? Having to play 3 potential playoff games on top of a 13 game regular season is basically an NFL season...

[RedTeamGo!]

Bama went up 14-0 after ten minutes in that game, so no, they did not hold back. Maybe after the game was in the bag in the second half, they let up, but every team does that and it’s not the same as holding back the entire game.

Again, when one turnover or one big play can make the game competitive, no coach would ever play less than 100% in a bowl game, let alone a semi-final game. If they did, they are unbelievably stupid, and Saben is a lot of things but he is not stupid.

Bruh, they ran the first 8 plays of the game with their mediocre running back while having a Heisman winner at QB. They held back.

[RedTeamGo!]

Genuinely stopped following CFP developments years ago... is 12 teams realistically what they are considering? I thought 8 teams is more likely.

If they go beyond 8 teams they'll probably consider shortening the regular season, right? Having to play 3 potential playoff games on top of a 13 game regular season is basically an NFL season...

They’ve been saying 12 for the last few years now. They are very close to getting 12 started as soon as 2023. Should hear pretty soon. 8 hasn’t been on the table in a very long time. It would only be 1 extra game with 12 teams. It would add one more weekend. I think the players would be a-ok with that. And you could just eliminate an early OOC game, or in the SEC’s case the d2 weekend in November.

[BuckeyeRed27]

They’ve been saying 12 for the last few years now. They are very close to getting 12 started as soon as 2023. Should hear pretty soon. 8 hasn’t been on the table in a very long time. It would only be 1 extra game with 12 teams. It would add one more weekend. I think the players would be a-ok with that. And you could just eliminate an early OOC game, or in the SEC’s case the d2 weekend in November.

The other huge advantage would be eliminating these 25-30 day layoffs. It hurts the teams and makes the start of some of these games look nothing like what the teams looked like in November. Plus it would help the college football product by having a lot of meaningful games start happening a week or so after the end of the season, not a month. Can you imagine if the NFL division round was on February 15th? That’s basically what college football does now.

[757690]

Bruh, they ran the first 8 plays of the game with their mediocre running back while having a Heisman winner at QB. They held back.

They dominated using the run game. It worked great, they won by 3 touchdowns, it was a smart decision. That’s not holding back, that’s just being smart. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself of this narrative, it’s wrong.

It’s lunacy to suggest that any team in a semi-final game would hold back, sheer lunacy.

[GAC]

No, it was impossible for UC to win. I made that quite clear. Can you all see that now?

You're a trip. The ego that never ends and must be listened to! :laugh:

[GAC]

This is a really good game between Iowa and Kentucky. A critical interception by Iowa with Kentucky driving. 17-13 Iowa, and Kentucky just made a critical stop on 4th down Iowa has to punt.

I think Penn State's Franklin coached a bad game earlier, really made some questionable stupid calls in my opinion.

[RedTeamGo!]

They dominated using the run game. It worked great, they won by 3 touchdowns, it was a smart decision. That’s not holding back, that’s just being smart. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself of this narrative, it’s wrong.

It’s lunacy to suggest that any team in a semi-final game would hold back, sheer lunacy.

Bama held back against UC. All you’re telling me is you don’t watch a lot of Bama football, or really college football in general.

[757690]

Bama held back against UC. All you’re telling me is you don’t watch a lot of Bama football, or really college football in general.

What you’re telling me is that you think Nick Saben is the dumbest football coach in the history of the game. He, for absolutely no reason, decided to keep UC in a semifinal game for the national championship.

But if you say so, it must be true, lol.

[Sea Ray]

You're a trip. The ego that never ends and must be listened to! :laugh:

Be fair GAC. You cherry picked my post. I also admitted where I was wrong:

My clairvoyance isn't perfect. I overrated Mich. I thought they'd beat Georgia. I ought to know better about overrating Big Ten teams. I should have paid closer attention to the recruiting rankings of Mich. OSU is the only Big Ten team that has the talent Ga and Bama have. Upsets can happen week to week but when you've got about a month to plan, get healthy etc, talent generally prevails

[WVRed]

They dominated using the run game. It worked great, they won by 3 touchdowns, it was a smart decision. That’s not holding back, that’s just being smart. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself of this narrative, it’s wrong.

It’s lunacy to suggest that any team in a semi-final game would hold back, sheer lunacy.

Is it possible for both of you to be right?

The running game worked and Saban milked it. He knew he had the advantage going in on the ground and ran with it.

He could have turned Bryce Young loose and hung 50 on them. He chose not to. Had he done that, it would have opened up the playbook and given more game film for Kirby Smart (or Jim Harbaugh at the time) to go over in 10 days.

Chess, not checkers.

[Sea Ray]

What you’re telling me is that you think Nick Saben is the dumbest football coach in the history of the game. He, for absolutely no reason, decided to keep UC in a semifinal game for the national championship.

But if you say so, it must be true, lol.

It's an argument neither side can win. The point here is that Saban could have won by 50 by taking more chances but he chose to win comfortably by 21. We'll never know for sure if he could have won by 50. No sense in saying anyone is wrong or right. We'll never know

[RedTeamGo!]

Buckeyes have 4 of their best players out but they look like absolute trash on both sides of the ball. Beyond ready for this season to be over.

[GAC]

I've seen enough of this Ohio State - Utah game early to know that Day doesn't have this team prepared to play. What a joke! LOL

[RedTeamGo!]

I've seen enough of this Ohio State - Utah game early to know that Day doesn't have this team prepared to play. What a joke! LOL

I mean, 4 of 5 best players opted out, but yeah, they are ass.

[Roy Tucker]

I've seen enough of this Ohio State - Utah game early to know that Day doesn't have this team prepared to play. What a joke! LOL

They look flat as a pancake. Defense is confused and offense can’t get off the blocks. 14-zip Utes.

I was hoping this was going to be a good game but I don’t think so.

[Roy Tucker]

Utah has the cheerleaders. Dang.

[goreds2]

You gotta play 60 minutes. Let’s see how the game is in 4th qtr.

[RedTeamGo!]

Utah has the cheerleaders. Dang.

One of them looks like my cousin “Fat Johnny”

[Reds Freak]

Impressed with Utah's QB so far. Looks smooth.

[Bourgeois Zee]

What you’re telling me is that you think Nick Saben is the dumbest football coach in the history of the game. He, for absolutely no reason, decided to keep UC in a semifinal game for the national championship.

Or conversely, Saban saw his team was absolutely in control for the entirety of the game and decided against opening up his playbook. (Young too, fwiw.)

Like, y'know, Saban pretty much admitted to doing in the post-game presser (https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/everything-nick-saban-and-alabama-said-after-thumping-cincinnati-27-6-walsh).


Q. Did this feel almost like a throwback game early in your time at Alabama where you guys run over people, where you rely on your defense? Did it feel like maybe kind of when you first got to Alabama?

COACH SABAN: Right. Well, we've had a couple games like that this year, but sometimes you've got to take what the defense gives. And a lot of these running plays that we had had RPOs and passes attached to them. But by the way they line up on defense, it's a give read. So you don't end up throwing the ball, and they play a lot of man-to-man. So sometimes they took the RPOs away. I thought Bryce [Young] did a really good job of making good decisions and taking advantage runs when we had them and a couple of advantage throws when we had them. So that's just part of it.

But we know that we have to have great balance on offense. When we're the best, we can run it, but we can make plays in the passing game. And we're missing a few players in some of those spots. So this will give us another opportunity to get some of these other guys the confidence they need to continue to be able to make a contribution.

Q. Obviously, any win is what you want. But the way you were able to physically manhandle them up front, was that any more gratifying to see the way you guys were able to control that line?

COACH SABAN: I think you always want to control the line of scrimmage. I think it's important in any game. And we were able to do that on both sides of the ball. And I think that was a big part of having success in this game.

Now, we probably didn't make as many explosive plays because of that, but it shrinks the game. You don't have to play as many plays on defense. We did a good job on third down and fourth down on defense and got off the field. So the combination of those things with a couple of red area stops and being able to control the line of scrimmage up front were probably the key to being successful in this game.

[Sea Ray]

Utah has some awfully fast white boys...

[Sea Ray]

Britain Covey who ran back that KO for a TD:


Britain Covey is a 5-9, 170-pound All Purpose Back from Provo, UT. He is ranked No. 1350 in the country by 247Sports.

Covey is the No. 18 recruit in Provo, UT (84604) State and is the No. 30 All Purpose Back in the nation.

Covey has a 247Sports rating of 82, making him a 3-star prospect.

https://247sports.com/player/britain-covey-73095/

Ranked 1350th in the country. Amazing

[757690]

Or conversely, Saban saw his team was absolutely in control for the entirety of the game and decided against opening up his playbook. (Young too, fwiw.)

Like, y'know, Saban pretty much admitted to doing in the post-game presser (https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/everything-nick-saban-and-alabama-said-after-thumping-cincinnati-27-6-walsh).

That’s exactly what I am saying he did. He chose to run because it was the smartest way to win the game. In the quote you posted, Saben said he took what the defense gave them, and UC was taking away the pass with they way they lined up. He said that running shrinks the game, rests the defense. It was a strategic choice.

RTG is arguing that Saben was holding back, not trying his best, toying with UC. Running the ball as a way of taking it easy on UC. That’s just silly. No coach does that in a semi-final game.

[RedTeamGo!]

Britain Covey who ran back that KO for a TD:


https://247sports.com/player/britain-covey-73095/

Ranked 1350th in the country. Amazing

He has New England Patriots written all over him

[Sea Ray]

This Rose Bowl game is crazy! Track meet doesn't cover it

- - - Updated - - -


He has New England Patriots written all over him

I'd love to have him for special teams and selected gadget plays. Don't think he could stay healthy as a fulltime player but he's got speed and guts

[RedTeamGo!]

Just an embarrassing performance by OSU. Entire defensive coaching staff needs to be purged.

[goreds2]

Just an embarrassing performance by OSU. Entire defensive coaching staff needs to be purged.

Looks like we adjusted. Gave up only 3 points in the 3rd qtr. :thumbup:

[KronoRed]

Good games today, makes up for the snore fest yesterdays games were.

[RedTeamGo!]

Wow, can’t believe OSU pulled that out. JSN is best WR they have. Stroud will be a Heisman candidate next year. Absolutely must fix the defense.

[Bourgeois Zee]

RTG is arguing that Saben was holding back, not trying his best, toying with UC. Running the ball as a way of taking it easy on UC. That’s just silly. No coach does that in a semi-final game.

Running the ball shortens the game and results in lower scores. It's also conservative by nature. Saban did not show his playbook. Instead, he continued to run the ball.

That's what RTG was arguing-- I'm in full agreement that Saban could have run up the score on UC if he wanted to show his playbook. He was willing to take the (sure) win only. And you're simply wrong about coaches choosing not to run up the score (and thereby show what they have in the playbook), even in the semi-finals. Coaches have done just that for eons. They know running the ball eats up clock and results in far fewer scoring opportunities.

[757690]

Running the ball shortens the game and results in lower scores. It's also conservative by nature. Saban did not show his playbook. Instead, he continued to run the ball.

That's what RTG was arguing-- I'm in full agreement that Saban could have run up the score on UC if he wanted to show his playbook. He was willing to take the (sure) win only. And you're simply wrong about coaches choosing not to run up the score (and thereby show what they have in the playbook), even in the semi-finals. Coaches have done just that for eons. They know running the ball eats up clock and results in far fewer scoring opportunities.

You’re misunderstanding the debate.

First, I never said that coaches always run up the score. That is not what this is about.

Everyone agrees that Saben came in with a more conservative game plan. RTG has said that it was because he was holding back, that Saben didn’t to use the best game plan, that he was toying with UC. I am saying that this game plan was the best game plan, and Saban himself said so in the article you quoted.

I don’t buy the notion that Saben didn’t want to expose his best game plan, afraid of giving Georgia too much to scout for the championship game.

First, if you don’t win, there is nothing for Georgia to scout. You have to prioritize winning this game above everything else, and every coach in a semi-final game does this. None of them go into the game with an inferior game plan, in order to keep their best one secret. You do that, and that’s the last game you play this season.

Second, Georgia and everyone and their cousin already has Bama’s best game plan fully scouted and researched. They have played 13 games before this one, and already played Georgia. There isn’t anything about Bama’s game plan that Georgia doesn’t already know.

[Bourgeois Zee]

You’re misunderstanding the debate.

I don't think I am. I think you're mischaracterizing RTG's comments.

He said 'Bama used "about 25% of their playbook" and that they "held back" against UC.

That checks out, as based on Saban's comments vis a vis running the ball (because the Tide had bigger, stronger, more athletic horses up front). It also checks out vis a vis Saban doing the same thing in previous seasons.

I also completely disagree about UGA knowing Saban's game plan. He, as a coach, is masterful at finding holes and exploiting them, and his teams are incredible at creating those mismatches from game to game. There's not another team in America as good as Alabama in that regard.

[757690]

I don't think I am. I think you're mischaracterizing RTG's comments.

He said 'Bama used "about 25% of their playbook" and that they "held back" against UC.

That checks out, as based on Saban's comments vis a vis running the ball (because the Tide had bigger, stronger, more athletic horses up front). It also checks out vis a vis Saban doing the same thing in previous seasons.

I also completely disagree about UGA knowing Saban's game plan. He, as a coach, is masterful at finding holes and exploiting them, and his teams are incredible at creating those mismatches from game to game. There's not another team in America as good as Alabama in that regard.

These are the quotes I was responding to:


the more I think about that UC game it was honestly like watching a cat play with a mouse. Wasn’t competitive and Bama used maybe 25% of their playbook.


Saban was absolutely toying with UC. I’m a Browns fan so through the years I know what it is like to have a better team just going through the motions as they over power you.


Bruh, they ran the first 8 plays of the game with their mediocre running back while having a Heisman winner at QB. They held back.

It's not just saying that Saben used a more conservative game plan. It's saying that Saben wasn't using his best game plan. It was an intentional slight at UC, saying Bama didn't even have to use their best to beat them. I disagree with this. This was Saben's best game plan for this game, even if it was different from the usual game plan.

[Bourgeois Zee]

These are the quotes I was responding to.

RTG is, IMO, correct on all counts.

We all agree that Bama only used about 25% of their playbook against Cincinnati. So, check.

Was Bama overpowerering the Bearcats? Again, yup. Saban said so in his post-game presser. That's why he and Young stayed on the ground. The Bearcats couldn't beat Bama there. Why throw it?

Did 'Bama "hold back"? Again, yeah, you can absolutely argue they did. By not having his Heisman Trophy-winning QB throw the ball, Saban purposefully did not use Young to his fullest extent. He held back.


It's not just saying that Saben used a more conservative game plan. It's saying that Saben wasn't using his best game plan. It was an intentional slight at UC, saying Bama didn't even have to use their best to beat them. I disagree with this. This was Saben's best game plan for this game, even if it was different from the usual game plan.

I don't think RTG was intentionally disparaging UC anymore than any other team. Bama was clearly the better team. Saban didn't need to use his best plays to beat them. Had Saban had to break out Young at his best, he would have. He clearly didn't need to, so he didn't.

[kaldaniels]

Yeah, it’s no “slight” towards Cincy. It’s just an honest response to those pointing at that game saying “see, UC belonged!” Whatever levers Saban would have chosen to pull yesterday, the win was in the bag.

UC did belong. But that game is not proof of that.

[RedTeamGo!]

Yep, not ripping on UC. The game yesterday should be seen as a gut check for UC now they they are going to the Big 12. If they want to play in the CFP they need to get more talent. It’s as simple as that. The worst thing the UC program can do after that game is say “see, we’re good enough!” No. Not good enough. An absolute accomplishment making it to the CFP this year. That’s in the past now. Fickell needs to figure out a way to compete at that level. The good news for Bearcats fans is that Fickell is a great coach and I can assure you he understands what happened yesterday. The absolute worst thing you can do in college football is become complacent and rest on your laurels.

[757690]

RTG is, IMO, correct on all counts.

We all agree that Bama only used about 25% of their playbook against Cincinnati. So, check.

Was Bama overpowerering the Bearcats? Again, yup. Saban said so in his post-game presser. That's why he and Young stayed on the ground. The Bearcats couldn't beat Bama there. Why throw it?

Did 'Bama "hold back"? Again, yeah, you can absolutely argue they did. By not having his Heisman Trophy-winning QB throw the ball, Saban purposefully did not use Young to his fullest extent. He held back.



I don't think RTG was intentionally disparaging UC anymore than any other team. Bama was clearly the better team. Saban didn't need to use his best plays to beat them. Had Saban had to break out Young at his best, he would have. He clearly didn't need to, so he didn't.

The bold part makes my point.

He wasn't "holding back." He was being smart. Running the ball was the smartest game plan, the best game plan to ensure victory. You said it perfectly, why risk throwing the ball, why risk interceptions, when you can dominate by running the ball? Using Young was not the best game plan, it was riskier, and why take the risk when you can win with running the ball. That game plan was not the second best game plan, it was the best game plan. Any and every team would choose to run the ball all day, if they knew they could dominate on the ground the way Bama did yesterday.

No coach would ever use their second best to try to win a semi-final game. Zero. It's lunacy to suggest it. Every coach uses his best game plan to win a game of this magnitude. No coach would ever take that risk, risk making this the last game of the season. Every coach uses his best in games like this.

[757690]

This is from the Saben interview you quoted:


sometimes you've got to take what the defense gives. And a lot of these running plays that we had had RPOs and passes attached to them. But by the way they line up on defense, it's a give read. So you don't end up throwing the ball, and they play a lot of man-to-man. So sometimes they took the RPOs away.

He's making clear that running was the best game plan, that UC took the pass away from them, which is why the ran so often. Straight from the horse's mouth.

[RedTeamGo!]

Again, you must legit not watch Bama ever. Lol.

He also said about Mercer a few years ago “they gave us everything we could handle” after beating them 49-3 or something. It’s Saban.

[Sea Ray]

If 757690 really knew what he was talking about he'd at least know how to spell Saban. His continual misspelling of the most famous college coach in the land is a clear indication that he doesn't know what he's talking about and that he rarely if ever watches Alabama play. It's a dead giveaway

[757690]

If 757690 really knew what he was talking about he'd at least know how to spell Saban. His continual misspelling of the most famous college coach in the land is a clear indication that he doesn't know what he's talking about and that he rarely if ever watches Alabama play. It's a dead giveaway

Lol. One of the silliest comments ever.

Let the record show... that I have watched most of Bama's games this year (and most years, they are always on every Saturday) along with most of the games of the teams that have been battling for the title this year. It's been an exciting and outstanding college football season.

[kaldaniels]

If I ever start talking multiple times about “Bidan” in political posts it’s fair game to take a shot at me.

[757690]

Yeah, it’s no “slight” towards Cincy. It’s just an honest response to those pointing at that game saying “see, UC belonged!” Whatever levers Saban would have chosen to pull yesterday, the win was in the bag.

UC did belong. But that game is not proof of that.

Give me a break.

“My sister throws better than you.” I didn’t mean that as a slight. I was just completing my sister. :rolleyes:

Anytime anyone says that team A doesn’t have to play it best to beat team B, they are slighting team B. You even threw in an extra insult at UC (the win was in the bag) in this attempt to deny you were insulting UC.

[757690]

If I ever start talking multiple times about “Bidan” in political posts it’s fair game to take a shot at me.

I know you would take a shot at them. But only after others have piled on. You would come in pretending to be a peacemaker, but take harshest shot of them all. It’s what you’re best at.

[757690]

It’s funny. I post a direct quote from the coach himself, about his own motivation, backing up what I’ve been saying about his motivation, and I am the one who doesn’t know what I am talking about.

[GAC]

I mean, 4 of 5 best players opted out, but yeah, they are ass.

Actually 19

https://www.10tv.com/article/sports/football/ohio-state-football/ohio-state-defeats-utah-in-rose-bowl/530-cd313719-8a61-4194-ac78-e274aa8ec8cd

It wouldn't have mattered if they were all there when it comes to this defense. Like watching a B12 games lol

When your defense is this bad - don't care how good your offense may be - you're going to have a rough time in the B10. It's been OSU's Achille's Heel for the last several years IMO.

[Hillsdale87]

I'm not a UC fan, but I think the idea that Bama held back because they didn't let Young cook is silly. I'd compare this game to the OSU-Northwestern game last year, except Bama was actually disciplined enough to press their advantage the whole game while OSU was stubborn for way too long. Both OSU and Bama had elite QBs in those games, but based on matchup and scheme, keeping the ball in their hands didn't give them the best chance to win.

Bama didn't really have much of an advantage, if any, in the passing game. UC's corners were the best they'd faced all year and Bama was missing Metchie. They never got it rolling in the passing game, and Young looked uncomfortable most of the game. But they could rip off chunks on the ground whenever they wanted, so that's what they did.


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[RedTeamGo!]

It’s funny. I post a direct quote from the coach himself, about his own motivation, backing up what I’ve been saying about his motivation, and I am the one who doesn’t know what I am talking about.

With regard to Saban - yes, quoting him and taking his words at face value means you know nothing about Saban (Saben)

[Bourgeois Zee]

Bama didn't really have much of an advantage, if any, in the passing game. UC's corners were the best they'd faced all year and Bama was missing Metchie. They never got it rolling in the passing game, and Young looked uncomfortable most of the game. But they could rip off chunks on the ground whenever they wanted, so that's what they did.

Alabama has the Heisman Trophy winner and one of the best passing attacks in college football. They'd also played (and ate up) one of the best defenses in modern college football history a month earlier-- and dominated them via passing.

They had the advantage on Cincinnati in the passing attack.

So why didn't they pass more?

Two reasons:

1. They also had the advantage on Cincinnati when rushing.

2. While passing the ball allows for higher scoring, it's also fraught with more costly turnover possibilities.

Saban chose to rush the ball almost exclusively, as it's relatively safer, eats up clock/ time of possession, and allows more control over the pace of the game. As a result of that decision, he also limited Young and chose to ignore lots of his playbook and likely won by far less than he might by airing it out. (As his team has done much of the season.)

In short, while Cincinnati absolutely belonged in the game, they were clearly the lesser team. No slight on them-- Alabama is that much better than just about everyone this year (even in a down season). Saban knew all of this as he watched the game unfold.

[Sea Ray]

Lol. One of the silliest comments ever.

Let the record show... that I have watched most of Bama's games this year (and most years, they are always on every Saturday) along with most of the games of the teams that have been battling for the title this year. It's been an exciting and outstanding college football season.

We're not talkin' Houshmandzadeh or Ghiaciuc here. It's a simple 5 letter last name and you continue to misspell it. It shows that you haven't seen Saban on the screen too often. it's really quite telling

[Hillsdale87]

Alabama has the Heisman Trophy winner and one of the best passing attacks in college football. They'd also played (and ate up) one of the best defenses in modern college football history a month earlier-- and dominated them via passing.

They had the advantage on Cincinnati in the passing attack.

So why didn't they pass more?

Two reasons:

1. They also had the advantage on Cincinnati when rushing.

2. While passing the ball allows for higher scoring, it's also fraught with more costly turnover possibilities.

Saban chose to rush the ball almost exclusively, as it's relatively safer, eats up clock/ time of possession, and allows more control over the pace of the game. As a result of that decision, he also limited Young and chose to ignore lots of his playbook and likely won by far less than he might by airing it out. (As his team has done much of the season.)

In short, while Cincinnati absolutely belonged in the game, they were clearly the lesser team. No slight on them-- Alabama is that much better than just about everyone this year (even in a down season). Saban knew all of this as he watched the game unfold.

Ohio State against Northwestern last year had 4 future first round picks at WR and a QB who was better than Bryce Young, but NW had talented corners and was focused on stopping the pass. Overall I doubt they were more talented than UC on defense, but it worked. A well coached team with a few good players can take away some of what you're good at, but both NW and UC didn't have the interior pieces to compete with the big boys at OSU and Bama. That's where the biggest advantage was, and that is ultimately what won the game for both teams.

If Bama had gone out trying to throw the ball against UC's corners, and with the coverage UC played, I don't think it would have worked as well as what they chose to do, which is run it down their throats. UC was hoping they would try to do what they had done so successfully all year. Credit to Saban who didn't feel the need to try to force the pass and took what he knew he could get.


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[Todd Gack]

Alabama has the Heisman Trophy winner and one of the best passing attacks in college football. They'd also played (and ate up) one of the best defenses in modern college football history a month earlier-- and dominated them via passing.

They had the advantage on Cincinnati in the passing attack.

So why didn't they pass more?

Two reasons:

1. They also had the advantage on Cincinnati when rushing.

2. While passing the ball allows for higher scoring, it's also fraught with more costly turnover possibilities.

Saban chose to rush the ball almost exclusively, as it's relatively safer, eats up clock/ time of possession, and allows more control over the pace of the game. As a result of that decision, he also limited Young and chose to ignore lots of his playbook and likely won by far less than he might by airing it out. (As his team has done much of the season.)

In short, while Cincinnati absolutely belonged in the game, they were clearly the lesser team. No slight on them-- Alabama is that much better than just about everyone this year (even in a down season). Saban knew all of this as he watched the game unfold.

Agree with #1.

But UC's secondary is pretty darn good. They have some talent at corner and arguably more than most SEC teams.

[Bourgeois Zee]

If Bama had gone out trying to throw the ball against UC's corners, and with the coverage UC played, I don't think it would have worked as well as what they chose to do, which is run it down their throats. UC was hoping they would try to do what they had done so successfully all year. Credit to Saban who didn't feel the need to try to force the pass and took what he knew he could get.


That's part of Saban's thinking, I'm sure.

[adkindo]

If Bama had gone out trying to throw the ball against UC's corners, and with the coverage UC played, I don't think it would have worked as well as what they chose to do, which is run it down their throats. UC was hoping they would try to do what they had done so successfully all year. Credit to Saban who didn't feel the need to try to force the pass and took what he knew he could get.

This is exactly what happened.....Cincinnati basically schemed to force 'Bama to beat them running the ball, and 'Bama obliged. Cincinnati thought it was their best chance, and I agree with their approach. FWIW, I thought Cincinnati represented well against 'Bama.....they just did not have the quantity of talent to win.

[Chip R]

If anyone saw more than one UC game, you would know that teams have been able to run the ball on them. A JV coach would know that the best game plan against a defense that you can run against is to run the ball down their throats. I know everyone wants to throw the ball now but why take a chance against a defense that is excellent against the pass? Saban did not open up his playbook because he didn't have to. If UC had been able to stop the run, I"m sure he would have opened it up more.

I think one reason these semifinal games are such routs is that the teams have a month to rest up and game plan.

[WVRed]

Caleb Williams is in the portal and Georgia is a rumored fit.

Kirby might actually get a QB.

[KronoRed]

Caleb Williams is in the portal and Georgia is a rumored fit.

Kirby might actually get a QB.

He's had QB's before, he's got one now, for some reason though he doesn't like to play them.

[RedsBaron]

Despite Alabama's 41-24 defeat of Georgia earlier this season, Georgia is favored by 2.5 points in the championship game. I wouldn't be shocked if the Bulldogs win this time, but I am somewhat surprised they are favored. Nick Saban must love Alabama being the underdog.

[Rojo Rijo]

Caleb Williams is in the portal and Georgia is a rumored fit.

Kirby might actually get a QB.

LOL in his 5 years at UGA Kirby has had 3 different QBs who were the #1 in their class, two of them were ranked as high as the #1 overall player - Fields, Daniels. No coach has done less with more as far as QB talent.

[BuckeyeRed27]

https://theathletic.com/news/could-jim-harbaugh-return-to-the-nfl-i-think-its-real/fp7uejcUpuzW/

Jimmy is either trying to get his salary back or he’s actually trying to leave.

[Sea Ray]

https://theathletic.com/news/could-jim-harbaugh-return-to-the-nfl-i-think-its-real/fp7uejcUpuzW/

Jimmy is either trying to get his salary back or he’s actually trying to leave.

I think he needs to decide what kind of job he wants, regardless of money. The 2 jobs are completely different.

[RedTeamGo!]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Harbaugh doesn’t like the NIL stuff at all and is tired of recruiting. He’s also friends with the owner of the Raiders and might be tempted to take the Bears job. He’s 58, he could sign a 10 year $100 million deal and call it a day. Obviously he loves Michigan, but he’s not dumb, he knows this is likely the best team he will have ever assembled at UM and his generational talents are all done.

[Hillsdale87]

https://theathletic.com/news/could-jim-harbaugh-return-to-the-nfl-i-think-its-real/fp7uejcUpuzW/

Jimmy is either trying to get his salary back or he’s actually trying to leave.

I would guess he's looking for a raise. His agent is trying to get more money out of Michigan


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RedTeamGo!]

Ratings came out today, more people watched the Rose Bowl than either CFP game. Wow.

[WVRed]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Harbaugh doesn’t like the NIL stuff at all and is tired of recruiting. He’s also friends with the owner of the Raiders and might be tempted to take the Bears job. He’s 58, he could sign a 10 year $100 million deal and call it a day. Obviously he loves Michigan, but he’s not dumb, he knows this is likely the best team he will have ever assembled at UM and his generational talents are all done.

Could be wrong but I don’t see him being a great fit with Fields.

Whoever gets the Bears job is going to be tasked with maximizing his potential. I know he had Luck in college and Kaepernick in SF but I’d think there would be someone better.

[RedTeamGo!]

Could be wrong but I don’t see him being a great fit with Fields.

Whoever gets the Bears job is going to be tasked with maximizing his potential. I know he had Luck in college and Kaepernick in SF but I’d think there would be someone better.

I think Fields is getting **** on a lot, but the his OL was garbage this year and Nagy is terrible.

[KronoRed]

Ratings came out today, more people watched the Rose Bowl than either CFP game. Wow.

Seems like these semi final games are almost always blow outs, people have caught on....also enough with the December 31st crap, put these games on new years day.

And you know...expand the playoffs so games like the Rose bowl and Fiesta bowl are also playoff games.

[JaxRed]

I predict SEC will have a below .500 record in the bowls.

SEC ends 6-8

[GAC]

I'm not even sure I'll watch the NC game. Sports media, IMO, is having a hard time creating a lot of hype for this rerun. ;)

[WVRed]

I think Fields is getting **** on a lot, but the his OL was garbage this year and Nagy is terrible.

Yes and no.

Fields has Patrick Mahomes upside. He also has Dwayne Haskins downside (minus the immaturity). He was the QB with the biggest boom/bust in last years draft class.

He needs a QB friendly coach to maximize his potential. I don’t see that being Harbaugh. Maybe Greg Roman or Brian Daboll.

[RedTeamGo!]

He’s nothing like Haskins other than they both played at OSU

[Rojo Rijo]

Jimbo and A&M off to a hot start under new NIL conditions for the '22 class. He's landed 3 of the top 5 players and 12 of the top 63. He has a total of 4 five stars and 20 four stars.

[Roy Tucker]

I'm not even sure I'll watch the NC game. Sports media, IMO, is having a hard time creating a lot of hype for this rerun. ;)

Me too. The CFP semis were a dud and I anticipate the finals will be as well. I don’t know what the TV ratings will be, but I think the powers to be are blowing what could be a compelling playoff series. An all-SEC final is a real turn off to me. Changes are sorely needed.