NGT - College football: Playoff and Bowl games

[DaveBrown74]

Solid win by ND. Indiana was beatable but was a pretty darn good team all year, wrecking basically everyone they played but OSU. ND dominated the ground game and was better on third down. Nice win. I'll be surprised if they win another game, but you never know. It's not like any team is that dominant this year.

Thoughts on the other CFP games (I don't really care about the bowls):

PSU -8.5 vs SMU:

SMU has been a great story this year, and I for one think it would be fun if they pulled the upset, but I don't see it happening. In fact I think PSU covers the 8.5 rather easily. SMU hasn't beaten anyone of PSU's caliber, and they haven't had to play in 27 degree weather either. Nittany Lions big here.

Texas -13.5 vs Clemson:

13.5 may feel like a lot but I don't see how you can go the other way here. Texas IMO is the best team in the country, and Clemson is marginal as far as CFP teams go. Like the previous game, I expect this to be lopsided.

OSU -7 vs Tennessee:

Trickier game here. Winning in the Shoe is never easy, but this isn't some all time OSU team. They're certainly very good, but I have been impressed by Tennessee when I have gotten eyes on them this year. I don't have a strong feel on this game but my gut is that it will be close, and I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Vols somehow pulled the upset.

[Philosophers]

Solid win by ND. Indiana was beatable but was a pretty darn good team all year, wrecking basically everyone they played but OSU. ND dominated the ground game and was better on third down. Nice win. I'll be surprised if they win another game, but you never know. It's not like any team is that dominant this year.

Thoughts on the other CFP games (I don't really care about the bowls):

PSU -8.5 vs SMU:

SMU has been a great story this year, and I for one think it would be fun if they pulled the upset, but I don't see it happening. In fact I think PSU covers the 8.5 rather easily. SMU hasn't beaten anyone of PSU's caliber, and they haven't had to play in 27 degree weather either. Nittany Lions big here.

Texas -13.5 vs Clemson:

13.5 may feel like a lot but I don't see how you can go the other way here. Texas IMO is the best team in the country, and Clemson is marginal as far as CFP teams go. Like the previous game, I expect this to be lopsided.

OSU -7 vs Tennessee:

Trickier game here. Winning in the Shoe is never easy, but this isn't some all time OSU team. They're certainly very good, but I have been impressed by Tennessee when I have gotten eyes on them this year. I don't have a strong feel on this game but my gut is that it will be close, and I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Vols somehow pulled the upset.

Jeff - the one thing you may not be considering in the Tennessee vs Ohio State game is that southern schools never schedule games in the north in November and December.  They do not like playing in the cold.  Also, I think Ohio State's fans will be so rabid following their loss to Michigan that they will be insanely loud in the Shoe.  I think this may be the best game of the first round but expect Ohio State to win.

[DaveBrown74]

Jeff - the one thing you may not be considering in the Tennessee vs Ohio State game is that southern schools never schedule games in the north in November and December.  They do not like playing in the cold.  Also, I think Ohio State's fans will be so rabid following their loss to Michigan that they will be insanely loud in the Shoe.  I think this may be the best game of the first round but expect Ohio State to win.

Totally fair points Joe. I agree it will be the best game, so I'm inclined to take the 7 points and play for a close outcome but no doubt OSU could cover. I'm just hoping to be entertained in this one.

Wow, UGA is only a 1 point favorite against ND in the Sugar Bowl next weekend. Amazing respect for ND there. That line surprises me a little. I would have expected the Bulldogs to be more like a 5 or 6 point favorite. Some view them as the best team in the country.

[bamagiantfan]

As the first half ended it was clear to me that Indiana was the better team in that half. Unfortunately for them, squandered opportunities, poor QB play, and mistakes in Notre Dame's end of the field, where most of the first half was played, resulted in a 17-3 half time deficit that could easily have been 17-3 in their favor by avoiding a turnover here or a missed tackle there.

Notre Dame made the plays that win games. Indiana didn't. That's why they play the games.

One more thing. The announcers' criticism of Indiana and their coaches near the end of the game will catch some heat. I thought it was in poor taste and unfair to the accomplishments of a team who was not expected to do anything in 2024. Holding a microphone comes with some responsibility and an understanding of what is open for discussion and what is not.  the comments were completely out of bounds and in my opinion, should cost one of them their job.

[DaveBrown74]

As the first half ended it was clear to me that Indiana was the better team in that half. Unfortunately for them, squandered opportunities, poor QB play, and mistakes in Notre Dame's end of the field, where most of the first half was played, resulted in a 17-3 half time deficit that could easily have been 17-3 in their favor by avoiding a turnover here or a missed tackle there.

Notre Dame made the plays that win games. Indiana didn't. That's why they play the games.

One more thing. The announcers' criticism of Indiana and their coaches near the end of the game will catch some heat. I thought it was in poor taste and unfair to the accomplishments of a team who was not expected to do anything in 2024. Holding a microphone comes with some responsibility and an understanding of what is open for discussion and what is not.  the comments were completely out of bounds and in my opinion, should cost one of them their job.

What were the comments? I actually dozed off before the end of the game. I would have to go back and listen to be able to opine. Sean McDonough is not really known for being unprofessional or disrespectful. He's a pretty by the book guy. McElroy I have less familiarity with.

I will say, while I fully agree that the Indiana coaching staff deserves major respect for the unexpectedly great season they had, I did think some things in that game were curious, to put it politely. Cignetti's decision to punt from the ND 48 yard line down 20-3 with 10:34 left in the game was absolutely astonishing. I have no problem with him being criticized for that decision, as long as it was done respectfully and professionally. That was crazy.

[bamagiantfan]

What were the comments? I actually dozed off before the end of the game. I would have to go back and listen to be able to opine. Sean McDonough is not really known for being unprofessional or disrespectful. He's a pretty by the book guy. McElroy I have less familiarity with.

I will say, while I fully agree that the Indiana coaching staff deserves major respect for the unexpectedly great season they had, I did think some things in that game were curious, to put it politely. Cignetti's decision to punt from the ND 48 yard line down 20-3 with 10:34 left in the game was absolutely astonishing. I have no problem with him being criticized for that decision, as long as it was done respectfully and professionally. That was crazy.

The decision to punt deserves every bit of criticism it got - and continues to get. Whether or not Cignetti can coach and whether Indiana was really a team deserving of being in the playoffs did not. McElroy stepped over the line in my opinion.

[DaveBrown74]

The decision to punt deserves every bit of criticism it got - and continues to get. Whether or not Cignetti can coach and whether Indiana was really a team deserving of being in the playoffs did not. McElroy stepped over the line in my opinion.

I need to listen to it. I agree with everything you have written above up to the last sentence, but I am not saying I disagree with the last sentence. I just don't have an opinion yet. I need to listen to what he said. I will track it down at some point today.

[Philosophers]

Totally fair points Joe. I agree it will be the best game, so I'm inclined to take the 7 points and play for a close outcome but no doubt OSU could cover. I'm just hoping to be entertained in this one.

Wow, UGA is only a 1 point favorite against ND in the Sugar Bowl next weekend. Amazing respect for ND there. That line surprises me a little. I would have expected the Bulldogs to be more like a 5 or 6 point favorite. Some view them as the best team in the country.

I suspect the GA - Notre Dame points spread is due to the fact that UGA will be starting their backup QB.

[DaveBrown74]

I suspect the GA - Notre Dame points spread is due to the fact that UGA will be starting their backup QB.

No doubt that's a big part of the reason, but is that a good reason? UGA runs an offense that just asks its QBs to be game managers. That is pretty much what Beck is. So was Jake Fromm, Stetson Bennett, etc.

In other words, at UGA I'm not sure how dire the QB position is compared to other places.

ND is quite good though. Not elite, but is anyone elite?