Ohio State was Gifted College Football Playoff Appearance for Money

While the manner in which Ohio State Buckeyes and their 3^rd string quarterback Cardale Jones dismantled the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game could have technically made the difference in putting OSU over the top and into the College Football Playoff, let’s make no mistake about it: Ohio State was given a spot in the playoff because they are the more reputable program and will draw the most viewers.

I strongly feel that if Ohio State met up against either Texas Christian University or Baylor, they would lose the game, but this apparently doesn’t matter for the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.  Picking either TCU or Baylor would have led to great controversy, given that both teams had just one loss and were playing great football.  For me, TCU should have been given a chance since their only loss was to the top-5 team, Baylor.  In fact, that loss was to a higher ranked team than both Oregon and Alabama, who are both in the playoff.  Then again, if TCU were allowed in we would have to hear the endless whining by Baylor since they beat TCU earlier in the year. But their loss was to a 7-5 West Virginia.  Meanwhile, Ohio State lost to a Virginia Tech team that ended 6-6, without a winning record and barely bowl eligible.

And so while football reasons marginally suggest TCU should be in the playoff, let’s take a look at one of the truly decisive factors: school population size.  Doesn’t the NCAA have a habit of trying to make as much money as possible?  Wouldn’t it likely be more profitable if a larger school with more of a college football history were present in the playoff?  OSU has one of the largest undergraduate student bodies in America with around 44,000 enrolled.  Baylor follows with 13,000.  TCU is behind them with just 8,500.  Wouldn’t it make sense to gift the playoff berth to a school with 3 or 4 times as many alumni as the others?  Also factor in the population of Ohio, the supportive family members of these students, and the many people who support the program without any direct association and it’s obvious that OSU provides the bigger draw.  Interestingly enough, the final rankings follow suit with the schools’ sizes.  Had a larger Big 12 school like Texas or Oklahoma finished with just one loss, you had better believe they would be involved in the playoff!

Ohio State also has a proud history of 14 National Titles.  TCU actually has 2 of their own but none since 1938!  Baylor has never won.  When the playoff boasts a game like Ohio State vs. Alabama for the semifinal, more people will watch than Alabama vs. TCU or Baylor.  Additionally, it keeps the American South to just 2 teams and gives the Midwest part of the country a team to cheer for.  In essence, it looks nicer on the map, and it will allow the NCAA to charge more money for TV advertisements and other methods of income that the institution repeatedly capitalizes on.  Who cares if college football is again embroiled in a national championship controversy; the NCAA will get top dollar for this final four.

But this argument is largely moot because Alabama would have beaten any team they were paired up against.  Sure, Ohio State’s coach Urban Meyer might get his team prepared, but they will definitely be beaten soundly.  And so maybe the whole idea of the playoff is righteous after all.  Arguing over the 4^th best team in the country isn’t quite like fighting over who’s 2^nd.  However it plays out, the best team in the country is likely to be Alabama, Oregon, or Florida State.  Would one of the exciting Texan teams been able to shake up another year of major, traditional (and boring) football programs winning the title?  We’ll never know…

Is College Football Set For 1 Last BCS Championship Controversy?

 With the NCAA college football season heading down its final stretch, the time has come for preparations for the BCS National Championship match.  2013 is the final year in which there will be a single game that determines the winner, as in 2014 a 4-game playoff will be adopted by the NCAA.  But as it stands, this year could end up being quite controversial, as 5 major national contenders are undefeated and could potentially finish the year as so, leaving one final major controversy in the old BCS system that has plagued the game for so many years.

Right now the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles, Ohio State Buckeyes, Baylor Bears, and the Oregon Ducks have yet to lose a game.  They each have a legitimate case for being the nation’s best team, and yet each is still facing major challenges up ahead.  By the end of the season, which of these teams will still be hanging strong and ready to win a BCS title?  Or will they all lose, opening the floodgates for numerous other team’s faint hopes?  Or will we be facing a final controversy with 3 or 4 teams equally qualified for that title match?

Fortunately, there are countless big games ahead for all these teams, meaning someone will surely slip up.  Baylor has had the softest schedule so far this year and haven’t played a top 25 opponent all season, but are facing a make-or-break section of their schedule ahead.  They face 10^th ranked Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday, and then have games against the Texas Tech Raiders and Oklahoma State Cowboys (both ranked).  Texas also looms large at the end of their season.  I foresee at least one loss for the team that currently has the nation’s best offense.

Another team with a tough road ahead is Alabama, who faces LSU and Auburn in addition to another SEC force should they make the SEC Championship.  If anyone is prepared for such a challenge Alabama surely is, as Nick Saban is vying for his 3^rd straight national title with quarterback AJ McCarron.

Oregon has been a usual national contender in recent years.  With a formidable rushing attack and a strong defense, they have every chance to be in the title game.  Up ahead though will be a major task against Stanford that could decide their fate this weekend, though the rest of their schedule is favorable.

Ohio State has probably the easiest run-in, with their massive rivalry against Michigan looking to be the toughest test.  Ohio State went undefeated last year but was ineligible for the postseason.  Head coach Urban Meyer looks to have righted the ship and could well see this team through to the big match.  However, the soft Big Ten has presented favorable matchups for the Buckeyes and it would be curious to see how they would fare against an Alabama or Oregon.

Lastly, there is Florida State, with freshman quarterback Jameis Winston. The team looks a major force and to me to be the best team in the nation.  They have already passed major tests against Clemson and Miami, though they may have to play Miami once more in the ACC title game and still must play rivals Florida.  Nevertheless, their dominance in those games suggests they can handle another test.

So how will it all play out?  The beauty of college football is that we really don’t know.  Games can always go either way, and chances are some of these losses may even occur against teams not deemed that big of a threat.  However, my money is on a Florida State – Alabama title game, with Alabama’s experience pulling them through.  However, I also have a hunch that the old BCS format will go out with a bang, and that either Ohio State or Oregon could get frustrated and left out.  Either way, it will surely be an interesting final month of college football to determine who plays in that glorious BCS Championship game!

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Will Anyone Be Able to Dethrone the Alabama Crimson Tide this Year?

Although there are still quite a few undefeated schools at this midpoint in the college football season, there is one university that stands head and shoulders above all the others: Alabama.  The Alabama Crimson Tide has won the last two BCS National Championships and looks just as capable of winning it again this year.  While some people predicted that the team would suffer after losing 9 key players to the NFL Draft, including the majority of their offensive line, the team just keeps rolling along with big victories.

Although Alabama plays in the dreaded SEC, their schedule is looking quite soft.  If they can win a major matchup against LSU in a couple weeks, and win the SEC Championship in December, Alabama will likely be headed to another BCS National title game.  And who would possibly be talented enough to stop this team from a third straight title?

Oregon looks capable offensively, but everyone knows what typically happens when they go up against a legitimate SEC defense.  Clemson is a strong team, but we’ve all witnessed their slip-ups against minor colleges.  Ohio State may return to the title game as well, though I still don’t see them as really being able to beat the Crimson Tide.  Nick Saban has instituted a program that is unstoppable.

Losing leading running back Eddie Lacy was supposed to cause a disruption in the team’s offense.  Enter TJ Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, and Jalston Fowler.  The defensive backfield was supposed to become problematic following Dee Milliner’s departure to the NFL.  Well, now safety Vinnie Sunseri sparks fear into opposing quarterbacks, having returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns, including a game-clincher from Johnny Manziel.

The team simply reloads every year, and their coaches get every recruit trained to the fullest of their capabilities, making Alabama the most fearsome and talented college football team in America.  And after so much success, teams now legitimately fear this team, which further adds to their strength.  They play with confidence and dominance, and haven’t been challenged since their thriller against Texas A&M.

Looking ahead, their schedule really is quite soft.  Perhaps the game at Auburn to close out the season could be a potential slip-up, but I would be greatly surprised.

Another factor going in the team’s favor is the leadership under senior quarterback AJ McCarron.  While some critics point to the fact that the talent around him boosts his stats, McCarron has done everything that has been asked of him and makes very few mistakes.  He can make all the necessary throws and is surely going to be given an opportunity in the NFL.

Therefore, I really don’t think anyone is capable of dethroning Alabama this year.  But I could be wrong.  College football is all about strange upsets, and the team might even fall to Arkansas this week.  But this is where Saban’s coaching comes in to play.  Alabama players always come into games focused and ready to win, no matter who is the opponent.  They never seem to slip up against the teams they should beat, and their success stems from this intensity.  Something tells me Alabama might just be celebrating another National Championship at the end of this season yet again.

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