If you missed this bowl season of college football, I’m sorry. But look no further than right here to catch up on the seven biggest things you didn’t see.
Clemson and Alabama were the two best teams in college football…and it’s not even close.
You can make the argument that USC and Penn State were better than Washington and Ohio State based off how they played to finish off the season, but you can’t make the argument that they were better than Alabama and Clemson. Based off the way they both dominated the semifinal games and how well the championship was played, the CFB playoff committee nailed it. Even if USC and Penn State were the third and fourth best teams in the country, it doesn’t matter because they were no Alabama and Clemson.
The Pitt loss was the best thing to happen to Clemson.
Clemson showed last night that they were the best team in college football, but they didn’t necessarily play that way all year. They scraped by Auburn, Troy, Louisville, Florida State and NC State on their way to a 9-0 start. Then they lost to Pitt. This was clearly the wake-up call this team needed. People say that Clemson got lucky because they should have had more losses, but I disagree. I firmly believe that they would’ve turned their season around after their first loss regardless of when it came. All they needed was that one wake-up call.
Jalen Hurts is not an elite quarterback, and isn’t really close.
I’ve been saying this all year: Jalen Hurts is overrated. Can the kid run the ball? Hell yes. He looked like an elite running back during his go-ahead touchdown run. The game last night, however, showed his major flaws. He is an inaccurate passer who leaves the pocket too soon when there is a weak amount of pressure. He failed to throw for 200 yards TEN times this season. Nick Saban fell victim to a mobile quarterback several times in the last few years and he thought that was the answer for his team, clearly it wasn’t.
The Rose Bowl gave us a preview of what’s to come in CFB.
Behind the national championship, the Rose Bowl may have been the highlight of the bowl season. The best part? We’re going to be seeing a lot more of these guys. Strap in for more Trace McSorley homerun swings, Andrew Luck comparisons for Sam Darnold and 90-yard house calls from Saquan Barkley because these teams are the future.
Michigan missed an opportunity this season.
How talented were the Wolverines this year? Incredibly. They were easily one of the best teams in the country. Quite honestly, I thought they were the most talented team in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, Jim Harbaugh missed his first big opportunity. A 10-3 season is nothing to hang their heads on, but they didn’t win the Big Ten. They didn’t make the playoff. They didn’t even win their bowl game. And now they lose 10 (!!!) starters on defense and a chunk of offensive starters. It’s time to see if Michigan can reload like Ohio State.
Watch out for Baker Mayfield.
If it wasn’t for a horrible three game start to the season, Oklahoma would’ve had a shot at the playoff, and Mayfield would’ve had a better shot at the Heisman. It took a lot of resolve from the Sooners to rattle off nine straight wins to end the season after being eliminated from playoff contention three games in. Now that it’s his senior season, it’s your time, Baker. Even with the losses of Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, this team can compete for a title.
The SEC is losing its dominance.
This was the worst year for the SEC in a long time. Alabama was elite and Florida and Auburn made some strides, but the rest of the league took a step back. Even something as little as Mississippi State’s nail-biter win over a middle of the pack MAC team like Miami shows that this league is not as dominate as it used to be. They will need more than one elite team to gain its prominence back. I’m looking at you, LSU and Ole Miss.