Tyler Stearns |
Monday’s Rose Bowl between Michigan and Alabama featured on ESPN was special. Michigan won 27-20 on Alabama’s failed quarterback draw to book a ticket to the National Championship game in Houston on January 8. Most fans expected it to be one of the best playoff games we have seen since the start of the round of four tournament. Played in the best venue in the country, on a sunny Southern California day, the game lived up to its billing. The defense stole the show. Michigan’s defensive line was stellar, especially in the first half. They took down Jalen Milroe 5 times in the period as Alabama struggled to move the ball. Alabama held Michigan to 13 points in the first half and pitched a shutout in the second half until Michigan tied the game on a JJ McCarthy pass to Roman Wilson with 1:34 to go in the fourth quarter. The final play of the game in overtime came down to a 4th and goal stop as the entire D-Line swarmed Milroe in the backfield. Sure it was a questionable play call, but hats off to the Michigan D-Line that just showed on that play doing what it had done all day.
The second of the College Football Playoff games was the Sugar Bowl matchup between Texas and Washington. College football pundits largely expected this game to be an offensive showdown. While each team came in with a lot of weaponry at the skill positions, the battle in the trenches was expected to be the key. If Texas’ defensive line led by T’Vondre Sweat could get past the Joe Moore Award-winning Washington offensive line, they would have a chance to disrupt the high-powered UW attack. Conversely, Washington’s D-Line and its edge rusher Bren Trice would need to focus on pressuring Quinn Ewers who had been red hot to the end of the regular season. The first half of the game was tied 21-21 with each quarterback facing pressure, but having time to make plays and move the ball downfield. The battle at the line of scrimmage was epic with Washington’s Trice a standout with 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, but it was Michael Penix and Washington’s first-class receiver crew anchored by Rome Odunze making big plays to take advantage of an overmatched secondary that provided the spark. Penix Jr. neared perfection in completion percentage in the third quarter. He fit the ball into tight windows and evaded pressure making amazing throws on the run. Washington held the lead at two scores until the last few minutes when Texas scored a late touchdown. With one second left, Quinn Ewers missed his receiver and Washington booked its ticket to NRG stadium.
The games were exhilarating. They both demonstrated that despite the disappointment of Seminole fans, the CFP Selection Committee got the matchups right. The drama on the field was as good as it gets and set up a Championship game that is sure to be among the most watched title games ever with Michigan’s tough-as-nails Defense matching up against Penix, the UW O-Line, and the best receivers in college football.
As a Washington State University Cougars fan it will be hard to watch and root for the University of Washington Huskies but I’ll suck it up and do it. Thru clenched teeth I say, “Go Huskies”.
MB
Deer Park, WA