Standings:
1.) Schweinfurth 19-9 (2-6 upset)
1.) Draper 19-9 (1-7 upset)
1.) Hoying 19-9 (1-7 upset)
Just like we all expected after the Fiesta Bowl last year, the Buckeyes come into Championship Weekend 2020 undefeated, heavily favored, and one win away from a certain Playoff berth. That's all that really matters, right?
On a side note, given how precious each game has been this fall (even the rematches), the How Pointless? meter is on a one year hiatus.
FRIDAY
Pac-12: Washington Huskies Oregon Ducks @ Southern California Trojans
Draper: Oh, the Pac 12 has a championship? That's cute. I also enjoy how they spin the wheel to determine the teams, but alas, 2020. Oregon entered the season with the weight of a conference on their shoulders but the Trojans enter with the slim hope that someone on the committee will watch the game on Friday night. USC has won multiple games on last minute prayers....and Oregon has been supremely meh. In these crazy times, I'm going to revert to the prior and give the edge to the team who's coach just got a monster extension. Quack. Ore: 31 -- USC: 27
Hoying: Here come the Trojans and the Ducks, fresh off their grueling five game schedules (shhhhh...) and ready to battle for a nice pat on the head and invitation to one of the few bowls that will probably actually be played. I mean, technically, USC should still be as deep in the playoff hunt as anybody (and a darn sight deeper than teams like Florida or Iowa State) but the Committee's list of random opinions this season does not include giving any credence to the powers out west. And, it's kind of tough to blame them. USC has not looked particularly impressive in any of their games this season, with the possible exception of boatracing Washington State a couple of weeks back. The passing attack is pretty solid but that's about all the Trojans have going for them. Oregon is the team everyone thought was supposed to be good this year in the Pac-12 but the defense just hasn't been there (that's how you lose to your not-very-good rival despite scoring 38 points). This one could easily go either way: USC is a pretty awful team during the first 59 minutes of gameplay but capable of Mario Kart computer player cheatingesque play in the crunchiest of crunch time. If Mario Cristobal is the hot coaching commodity everyone thinks he is, he should be able to find a way to game plan around this. Ducks finally find a way to close out the Trojans this season. Ore: 38--USC: 34
Hoying: Here come the Trojans and the Ducks, fresh off their grueling five game schedules (shhhhh...) and ready to battle for a nice pat on the head and invitation to one of the few bowls that will probably actually be played. I mean, technically, USC should still be as deep in the playoff hunt as anybody (and a darn sight deeper than teams like Florida or Iowa State) but the Committee's list of random opinions this season does not include giving any credence to the powers out west. And, it's kind of tough to blame them. USC has not looked particularly impressive in any of their games this season, with the possible exception of boatracing Washington State a couple of weeks back. The passing attack is pretty solid but that's about all the Trojans have going for them. Oregon is the team everyone thought was supposed to be good this year in the Pac-12 but the defense just hasn't been there (that's how you lose to your not-very-good rival despite scoring 38 points). This one could easily go either way: USC is a pretty awful team during the first 59 minutes of gameplay but capable of Mario Kart computer player cheatingesque play in the crunchiest of crunch time. If Mario Cristobal is the hot coaching commodity everyone thinks he is, he should be able to find a way to game plan around this. Ducks finally find a way to close out the Trojans this season. Ore: 38--USC: 34
Schweinfurth: USC has to lose at some point. Every week they seem to squeak by an opponent who has them on the ropes. UCLA was a boneheaded kickoff away from beating them last week. Oregon has been given a gift here and I do believe they will play like they have nothing to lose here. The close game bug finally bites the Trojans. OU: 42--USC: 41
SATURDAY
Big 12: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Draper: So we have the #6 (what?) Cyclones playing...let's see...Oh crap, Oklahoma? In the Big 12 Title game? Smash the Sooners. Oklahoma doesn't lose these games, and certainly not to Iowa freaking State. While the Buckeyes have been penciled in as the B1G Champ every year, Clemson for the ACC, and Bama (sort of) for the SEC, OU has been the constant in Big 12 country. I don't see that changing under Spencer Rattler. OU returns to the NY6 and Iowa State says goodbye to Matt Campbell (welcome to the B1G). OU: 38 -- ISU: 31
Hoying: Alabama. Ohio State. Oklahoma. The three paragons of elite-level consistency in college football, and the three teams you'd be a fool to bet against in a conference championship game. Yes, Iowa State and Oklahoma already played this season. Yes, Iowa State won that game. But since that date, which anchored the midpoint of a weird three game stretch of mediocre play for the Sooners, Oklahoma has been on a tear, including an evisceration of the Oklahoma State team that beat Iowa State. Of course, Iowa State did even worse things to the Kansas State team that beat Oklahoma, but the Clones haven't been as sharp overall as the Sooners, struggling against Baylor and needing a big comeback to handle Texas. I don't think they're racking up another 37 points against OU this week. It's a terrible irony that the Sooners have the defense this year to make some noise in the Playoff, and they won't be making an appearance despite avenging their loss to the Cyclones this Saturday. Better luck next year (to all of us). OU: 35--ISU: 27
Hoying: Alabama. Ohio State. Oklahoma. The three paragons of elite-level consistency in college football, and the three teams you'd be a fool to bet against in a conference championship game. Yes, Iowa State and Oklahoma already played this season. Yes, Iowa State won that game. But since that date, which anchored the midpoint of a weird three game stretch of mediocre play for the Sooners, Oklahoma has been on a tear, including an evisceration of the Oklahoma State team that beat Iowa State. Of course, Iowa State did even worse things to the Kansas State team that beat Oklahoma, but the Clones haven't been as sharp overall as the Sooners, struggling against Baylor and needing a big comeback to handle Texas. I don't think they're racking up another 37 points against OU this week. It's a terrible irony that the Sooners have the defense this year to make some noise in the Playoff, and they won't be making an appearance despite avenging their loss to the Cyclones this Saturday. Better luck next year (to all of us). OU: 35--ISU: 27
Schweinfurth: It is hard to beat a team twice in a year (that goes for this and the game below). Oklahoma has looked better, but not great. On paper, the Sooners are the superior team and Matt Campbell has done some amazing things with the Cyclones. I just can't see ISU winning two against the Oklahoma. OU: 45--ISU: 35
ACC: Clemson Tigers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Draper: Will this game go as everyone expects now that Trevor Lawrence has returned? Yes, I think so. Clemson hasn't lost in the regular season lately so I'm guessing this is revenge. I have not bought in to Notre Dame this year regardless of the record. This has been to my detriment at times, but I don't see the Irish pulling off another win against the Orange giant. Clemson seems to have taken a step back from the past few years, but I wonder if they're just slow playing until the playoff. Trevor Lawrence has certainly reminded us why he is almost a lock to be a Jet next year. Notre Dame still backs into the playoff, but Clemson lays the wood. Clem: 38 -- ND: 24
Hoying: Is it just me, or does there seem to be a lack of intrigue in this year's conference championship games? Yeah, maybe it's because the only ones that really matter are the Big Ten and the ACC (Bama is going to the Playoff either way and Florida is not), but it seems like the conventional wisdom has picked a clear winner in most of the games. Bama. Buckeyes. OU. And...Clemson. Is this warranted? Yeah, Notre Dame needed everything in the bag to get by Clemson the first time...in OT...at home...with Lawrence out, but the Irish have been playing really good football this year. Better even than in 2018, where they went undefeated against the Revenge Tour and a bunch of "meh"s before getting blasted by Clemson 2016 Fiesta Bowl style. Clemson is in danger of losing its hat seeing how it's precariously hanging on an early blowout win over a Miami team that was just badly exposed last week against North Carolina. These teams may be just as equally matched as their prior clash would indicate. But never underestimate the revenge factor. Notre Dame was clearly feeling it under the lights in South Bend after the humiliation they suffered at the Tigers' hands in the Playoff, and now Clemson is clearly annoyed that they've been knocked out of the driver's seat in the ACC for the first time since the days of Famous Jameis. If anybody can craft disrespekt out of nothing, it's Dabo, and despite the fact that everybody and their momma is picking Clemson to win this weekend, you can bet the Tigers are going to play with their hair on fire, salivating at the prospect of facing the Buckeyes for the third time in the last five years. Good luck against Alabama, Notre Dame. You're going to need it. Clem: 31--ND: 30
Hoying: Is it just me, or does there seem to be a lack of intrigue in this year's conference championship games? Yeah, maybe it's because the only ones that really matter are the Big Ten and the ACC (Bama is going to the Playoff either way and Florida is not), but it seems like the conventional wisdom has picked a clear winner in most of the games. Bama. Buckeyes. OU. And...Clemson. Is this warranted? Yeah, Notre Dame needed everything in the bag to get by Clemson the first time...in OT...at home...with Lawrence out, but the Irish have been playing really good football this year. Better even than in 2018, where they went undefeated against the Revenge Tour and a bunch of "meh"s before getting blasted by Clemson 2016 Fiesta Bowl style. Clemson is in danger of losing its hat seeing how it's precariously hanging on an early blowout win over a Miami team that was just badly exposed last week against North Carolina. These teams may be just as equally matched as their prior clash would indicate. But never underestimate the revenge factor. Notre Dame was clearly feeling it under the lights in South Bend after the humiliation they suffered at the Tigers' hands in the Playoff, and now Clemson is clearly annoyed that they've been knocked out of the driver's seat in the ACC for the first time since the days of Famous Jameis. If anybody can craft disrespekt out of nothing, it's Dabo, and despite the fact that everybody and their momma is picking Clemson to win this weekend, you can bet the Tigers are going to play with their hair on fire, salivating at the prospect of facing the Buckeyes for the third time in the last five years. Good luck against Alabama, Notre Dame. You're going to need it. Clem: 31--ND: 30
Schweinfurth: To be honest, this game doens't move the meter for me. I don't think Notre Dame is this world beater everyone has made them out to be. Ian Book is kinda meh. After watching round 1, I believed this game would have been different if Trevor Lawrence was allowed to play. We finally get to see it this week, and I'm not sure it will be very close. Unfortunately, that just means we have to listen to Dabo run his mouth for two more weeks. Clem: 35--ND: 21
SEC: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida Gators
Draper: I feel a little like a broken record, but in college football, the rich keep getting richer. Death, taxes, and Bama. Florida has been a surprising good team this year that absolutely crapped the bed last week. Can the coaches get them to believe in the outside shot at a playoff berth? Probably not, but who knows. On the other hand, Bama has been otherworldly this year. They've steamrolled every contender and I don't think this changes. While Kyle Trask may have been the Heisman frontrunner, I think Mac Jones steals it in the SEC Championship. Quarterback on the best team? Seems like a recipe for success. Ala: 38 -- Florida: 24
Hoying: I'm not here to downplay Alabama's performance this season, but when was the last time this defense was really tested? Not against Georgia: this was back when the Dawgs still thought Stetson Bennett was a viable option. Really, the only good offense the Tide has faced was Ole Miss back in their third game, and they got absolutely lit up for 647 yards and 48 points. If that Tide defense shows up in this one, we could be looking at a long overtime battle as neither offense ever leaves the field except via the end zone. The problem is, if the Gators fail to hold serve even once, the Alabama offense won't do them the courtesy of stumbling back. There's no offense in the nation more potent than Alabama's, and Florida just showed last week that they're even capable of giving up big points to bad teams, too. When I made by midseason Heisman prediction in favor of Mac Jones, it was in anticipation of Alabama going nuclear in this matchup and Kyle Trask falling a step behind. I originally thought this would be another Bama by a million battle, but I think Florida can score enough in this one to keep it interesting. Then again, I thought Georgia would keep it close with LSU last year. Ala: 45--Fla: 34
Hoying: I'm not here to downplay Alabama's performance this season, but when was the last time this defense was really tested? Not against Georgia: this was back when the Dawgs still thought Stetson Bennett was a viable option. Really, the only good offense the Tide has faced was Ole Miss back in their third game, and they got absolutely lit up for 647 yards and 48 points. If that Tide defense shows up in this one, we could be looking at a long overtime battle as neither offense ever leaves the field except via the end zone. The problem is, if the Gators fail to hold serve even once, the Alabama offense won't do them the courtesy of stumbling back. There's no offense in the nation more potent than Alabama's, and Florida just showed last week that they're even capable of giving up big points to bad teams, too. When I made by midseason Heisman prediction in favor of Mac Jones, it was in anticipation of Alabama going nuclear in this matchup and Kyle Trask falling a step behind. I originally thought this would be another Bama by a million battle, but I think Florida can score enough in this one to keep it interesting. Then again, I thought Georgia would keep it close with LSU last year. Ala: 45--Fla: 34
Schweinfurth: I do believe Alabama is beatable, you just have to be able to score on every possession. So, think about Florida, do they have a defense that can stop Bama? I'm not sure. Can they score with Bama? I don't think so. Trask has been good, but Florida has been a one trick pony all year. Saban will find a way to slow Trask down and then game over man. Ala: 42--Fla: 28
AAC: Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ Cincinnati Bearcats
Draper: Cincinnati joins Indiana and Coastal Carolina on the list of those spurned by the committee. I know they have no real wins of note, but they have looked good in their games thus far and remained unscathed (which is saying something). Tulsa was seen as the contender to the Bearcats prior to the cancellation, but now we get to see the game fo realz. Fickell has truly built something special this year, and it's a shame they can't show it on a bigger scale (until the NY6 maybe). The Bearcats won't let up this week proving that they're Ohio's only BCS Ohio's 2nd team in the NY6. UC: 40 -- Tulsa: 24
Hoying: You can't deny great matchups like this one forever. After round one between the cream of the AAC was delayed, and then delayed again, and then cancelled, round two (one?) is now finally upon us. The Bearcats have looked as impressive this season as any since their magical 2009 run that knocked on the door of the BCS National Championship Game, but no amount of style points will get them anywhere near the postseason tourney this year. That's bad news for the Golden Hurricane, who will likely have to take the brunt of the Bearcats' frustrations this week. Tulsa's a good team, with a pretty good defense, but Cincinnati has been playing at Power 5 level for the past few seasons under Fickell, who will likely find himself at Power 5 level in the near future (I would say please not anywhere maize and blue, but I'd still like Ryan Day's chances against him). Cincinnati is great in all phases of the game (you can nitpick the passing attempt if you're desperate to find something) and they won't trip up with their first major bowl appearance in over a decade in their sights. UC: 31--Tulsa: 16
Hoying: You can't deny great matchups like this one forever. After round one between the cream of the AAC was delayed, and then delayed again, and then cancelled, round two (one?) is now finally upon us. The Bearcats have looked as impressive this season as any since their magical 2009 run that knocked on the door of the BCS National Championship Game, but no amount of style points will get them anywhere near the postseason tourney this year. That's bad news for the Golden Hurricane, who will likely have to take the brunt of the Bearcats' frustrations this week. Tulsa's a good team, with a pretty good defense, but Cincinnati has been playing at Power 5 level for the past few seasons under Fickell, who will likely find himself at Power 5 level in the near future (I would say please not anywhere maize and blue, but I'd still like Ryan Day's chances against him). Cincinnati is great in all phases of the game (you can nitpick the passing attempt if you're desperate to find something) and they won't trip up with their first major bowl appearance in over a decade in their sights. UC: 31--Tulsa: 16
Schweinfurth: Cincinnati should win this game. I want to take a moment to defend the Bearcats here. These guys got screwed, hard, by the committee this week. I have never understood the committee's decisions and the "eye" test drives me crazy. I do believe that we should go back to a BCS style system that involves computers, because then strenth of schedule and quality opponents are truly taken into account. That system would have the Bearcats ranked 5th. I'll be rooting for Fickell this weekend just so we can see how this really plays out and to lock up a NY6 bowl. UC: 35--Tulsa: 20
Big Ten: Northwestern Wildcats vs. THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Not going to lie, I'm concerned about this WR COVID talk. Without that concern, this could get ugly FAST. With that concern.....it's probably going to get ugly FAST. The Buckeyes have been taking the slings and arrows for the 'favorable' treatment they've received (don't let that distract you from a forfeiture against TTUN would still have landed the Bucks in Indy, or that 2 of the cancellations were beyond their control, or that the only other option is 3 win PSU, or that....) and I think they're sick of it. This team wants to show they are here to win, and Northwestern has volunteered as tribute. I've watched some NW games this year and have been thoroughly unimpressed. The only prayer is for the wildcat (the scheme not the team) to pull off some monstrous BS. They can't throw so the weak OSU secondary shouldn't be an issue. On the other side, if the Buckeyes have all or at least most of the WR corps, it's bombs away. Maybe this is an opportunity for the young ones to step up. If Wilson and Olave do play, watch out. Fields adds at least 5 scores and likely sits for the 4th quarter as the Buckeyes make their final statement. NU: 10 -- OSU: 63
Hoying: Northwestern has been a nice story for the second year in the last three (what happened last year, though? yeesh), but we saw how that ended last time, and that was against the worst Ohio State defense in living memory. The Wildcat offense may not be as eye-gougingly awful as they were last year but they're still a far cry from the Northwestern spread monsters of the past. No, that offense lives on through Kevin Wilson and the Buckeyes' devastating attack which has yet to be slowed down, let alone stopped, this season. There's only one threat to this Buckeye team this Big Ten season, and it's not anything multicellular (or cellular at all, I suppose). It looks like Ohio State may be without Chris Olave for a while, which sucks, but it's not like they don't have plenty of gamebreaking weapons in the arsenal. It's true that most of them are untested, as Olave and Wilson have gobbled up the vast majority of Justin Fields' passing yards this season, but better to have to break in new guys against Northwestern than Clemson or Alabama. The Cats have a nice defensive scheme that they've been able to ride to success this season. Problem is that it's too turnover-dependent, and I think Fields has learned his lesson after the Indiana debacle (during which he managed to rack up 300 yards and 2 TDs anyway). Plus, as we learned in East Lansing, if all else fails, just line up and bash them over and over with Teague and Sermon, sprinkling in a healthy dose of Fields (as long as it's a dose of healthy Fields) to keep them honest. Northwestern cannot score enough points to hang with Ohio State. The end. On to the Rose Bowl (wherever that is). NU: 13--OSU: 45
Schweinfurth: Can Northwestern score enough to keep up with Ohio State. The answer to that is emphatically no. Northwestern is a good comeback story from last year, and they will be a tough out. Pat Fitzgerald teams are always tough teams, but this game was something like 56-7 last year. Ohio State didn't lose enough talent on offense and the Wildcats didn't gain enough offense for me to be overly worried. If the rumors are true and Olave is out, it will be time for some of these other highly skilled wideouts to shine. Bucks win and on to the playoffs! NU: 17--OSU: 56
