We got a stinker then a stunner, and a healthy slice of football fun Saturday in the CFB National Semifinals as LSU and Clemson advanced to the championship match set for Monday, Jan. 13 in New Orleans. In what promises to be a classic, the de facto home team, LSU, is an early three-point favorite.
LSU looked every bit the top dog in eviscerating Oklahoma 63-28 behind an absurd performance by QB Joe Burrow, who threw for seven touchdowns and 403 yards — in the first half alone. Do you think Oklahoma has been bad for the brand for the Big 12? The Sooners are now 0-4 in the CFB playoffs and looked woefully outclassed.
This college football season has been dominated by three schools: LSU, Clemson and Ohio State. Saturday’s second game, pitting the Buckeyes and the defending champ Tigers, was a true dandy and wasn’t decided until the final seconds when Clemson picked off a Justin Fields pass in the end zone, capping a 29-23 dazzler. So let’s dive into that one …
First of all, what exactly is a “football move?” I ask because the biggest play in a game loaded with them was determined by the replay official, who I now assume is behind a curtain somewhere in Kansas near the Emerald City. You know the play: The Clemson receiver caught the pass with complete control, took three steps, then on the fourth step had the ball punched out of his hands. The play was ruled a fumble on the field, and Ohio State picked up the loose ball and ran it in for the touchdown. Huge play.
But on the challenge, the TD was negated because it was somehow ruled an incomplete pass. I have no idea what a complete pass is anymore. He had to make a football move, so obviously running with the football doesn’t register. So please tell me: What does the receiver have to do? Punt the ball? Lateral? Those are football moves. Yell out “Omaha!” forcefully? Adjust his protective cup?
Look, I’m not a Buckeye apologist or a referee hater. I just want to know what the rules are on the game I’m watching. I give Clemson all the credit. The Tigers won the game because they didn’t beat themselves. Ohio State made several crucial mistakes, including a blatant roughing-the-punter penalty, and a targeting call in the first half that turned the momentum of a game that OSU was surely dominating.
And then there’s Trevor Lawrence. My goodness, what a talent. This cat is 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, with a rocket arm, a surgeon’s touch and the footspeed to outrun an OSU secondary littered with NFL prospects. Lawrence hasn’t lost a game in his two years, and he’s the main reason LSU isn’t favored by double-digits. That game-winning, 94-yard, four-play drive at the end was astounding. He’ll be the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
But in two weeks he’ll be vying against Joe Burrow, the presumptive top pick in the 2020 NFL draft. I say presumptive because it’ll probably be the Bengals making the selection, and they haven’t gotten anything right since the Reagan Administration. (Ok, so we’re talking about the Ickey Shuffle. Does that count?)
My question: What was Burrow thinking at halftime yesterday? Was it: “Can I throw another TD pass during the halftime show?” Or was it: “Oh my gawd, I’m making this so the Bengals CAN’T HELP but pick me in the draft. I’ve gotta mess up something.” Perhaps that explains his fumble in the second half — to muddy the waters, so to speak.
Like Lawrence, Burrow has it all. The first thing that jumps out is his absolutely gorgeous deep ball, right on the button to great receivers. (Remember Geno Smith? He had better receivers at WVU than he did his first few years in the NFL. Burrow is facing the same fate.) Burrow has uncommon accuracy, sweet pocket presence and is mobile enough to stay upright. Downside? He’s got a nasty mean streak. I’m kidding, of course. He’s a nice kid, just cutthroat on the ballfield. He’s the kind of guy you’d love to have on your team.
One thing I wouldn’t love — and I figure I’m in the minority on this one — is an extended playoff system. Four teams is enough. Keep in mind that, of the 12 semifinal games thus far (instituted in 2015), nine have been blowouts. You want more of that? And which school got left out this year? Oregon lost two games in a weaker conference than the Big 12. Florida lost to LSU and Georgia. Georgia lost twice. Alabama had its shot. You get the picture. Oklahoma was the right pick at No. 4, but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway.
I think the CFB is headed toward an eight-team playoff, and I think it’s the wrong move. The two best teams will be playing in New Orleans. We got it right. Leave it alone. And I’ll see you in two weeks!
