The next two weeks promise to be, as usual, the busiest of the calendar year for most folks around West Central Ohio. Family gatherings, holiday parties, last-minute shopping, and gift returns will all take a backseat to the true meaning of the season, which is of such special significance to so many. Here’s wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
The College Football Playoffs started with first-round games over the weekend, and I have to say that it resembled most early games in the OHSAA playoffs with four blowout wins (okay, I’ll grant you that Clemson only lost to Texas by 14) by the higher seeded teams. A few quick first thoughts—it pays to have the home-field advantage as all four home teams dominated from the start of each game; the ACC wasn’t as strong as most of its fans thought as not only Clemson but SMU proved unable to put up much in the way of resistance to SEC and Big Ten opponents (Texas and Penn State respectively); Indiana (although the Hoosiers had a historically great season finishing 11-2) and Tennessee were in no way nearly as talented as Notre Dame and THE; and Alabama and Ole Miss fans are probably apoplectic since they were left out of the playoffs!
It will be interesting to see how Arizona State and Boise State fare after receiving first-round byes by virtue of winning their conference crowns. It just seems that this year, there is a huge gap in talent between the top six or eight teams and the rest of the field (can you say NIL money?). Here are my not-so-bold predictions for the quarterfinals—
—The Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve pits Penn State against those pesky Broncos from Boise State. Over the years, Boise has pulled upsets in bowl games (the most memorable was in 2007 when the Broncos beat Oklahoma as they scored on a “hook and lateral” late in the game to force overtime and then won on a “Statue of Liberty” play. Also making a lasting impression was their star running back proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend in the end zone!). Not this year, however, as Penn State’s defense is too stout, and the Nittany Lions move on to the semis.
—The Rose Bowl features THE looking to avenge an earlier loss to the Number One ranked Ducks of Oregon in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. I just think that it will be almost impossible for Oregon to beat the Bucks twice in one year, especially if Ryan Day and Chip Kelly allow QB Will Howard to throw the ball to the best-receiving corps in the game. THE by 10-14 points (I don’t think the oddsmakers in Las Vegas will agree, but what do they know!).
—In the Peach Bowl, I’m going with Texas in a fairly close game over an Arizona State team that had a tremendous turn-around this fall, finishing 11-2 after winning only three games last year.
—Finally, I like Notre Dame to handle Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Dawgs might be missing their starting QB, my grandsons are huge Fighting Irish fans, and I just like the ND mystique. Irish by a touchdown.
While helping my wife prepare holiday meatballs, I came up with today’s trivia question—I’ll be shocked if anyone gets any part of this correct without doing some research. What teams play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on the 28th, and what schools meet in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on January 3rd?
I had a chance to see the Franklin-Monroe boys basketball game Friday night as they hosted Dixie. I don’t get to nearly enough county or small school games around the area due to commitments at Greenville and my grandsons’ games in Granville. It is always impressive to witness the enthusiasm and energy of the fans and players as they represent their communities on winter nights and the intensity with which the teams play. As an aside, hats off to the F-M Pep Band which is small but mighty—loved the song selections from the ‘60s and ‘70s!!
Here’s a thought—I know that league rules come into play for some schools, but why do elementary students have to pay to attend games? To build up enthusiasm for programs let them in free and, while on this subject, let the older kids in for maybe a buck or two at the most. There would be a lot more seats on the bleachers as it’s pretty costly as of now for a family to attend a contest. I realize some schools already have this in effect, but most don’t!
The Bengals still have a chance (just like in the classic movie Dumb and Dumber!) after beating the Browns but will need to win out and hope for a loss or two from other teams. And what will the Browns do about their quarterback situation next year?
Finally, the Miami Hurricanes take on the Cyclones of Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl (my favorite is strawberry) while Minnesota’s Golden Gophers face the Hokies of Virginia Tech in the Mayo Bowl (always a classic as the condiment is eaten in a variety of ways by somewhat unwilling participants!). Again, have a Merry Christmas, enjoy those Christmas sweaters and gift return lines!!