Semifinals Set for College Football Playoff

The field is set for the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, and we will have a new National Champion this season.

Miami continues to validate its selection as one of the teams in the College Football Playoff field of 12. The Hurricanes beat Texas A & M in the first round, setting up a quarterfinal matchup with defending National Champion Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. The Hurricanes scored a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd quarter, including one on a 72 yard interception return by Keionte Scott to take a 14-0 halftime lead on the way to a 24-14 victory over the Buckeyes. Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin completed 22 of 35 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions. Jeremiah Smith caught the touchdown pass and had 157 receiving yards for the Buckeyes. Ohio State, a 7 ½ point favorite over Miami, ends the season at 12-2, losing their last two games to Indiana and the Hurricanes.

Oregon used a shut down defense in shutting out Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. The Ducks’ defense forced four turnovers and held the Red Raiders to 0 for 3 on fourth down. Brandon Finney Jr. intercepted Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton twice and recovered a fumble.

Indiana made its first appearance in the Rose Bowl since the 1968 game, which ended in a 14-3 loss to USC. This one against Alabama went much better for the Hoosiers. After a scoreless 1st quarter, the Hoosiers scored 17 in the second and never looked back in an absolute blowout of the Crimson Tide 38-3. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza showed why he won the Heisman Trophy, completing 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama was held to just 23 yards rushing while Indiana ran wild with 215 rushing yards. It was Indiana’s first Rose Bowl victory and first bowl victory of any kind since 1991. On the other side, Alabama suffered its first loss by 35 point or more since 1998. The Crimson Tide dropped to 11-4, doing nothing to dispel the critics who thought a three loss team should not be in the field, and  the crushing nature of the defeat didn’t help either.

The fourth and final quarterfinal game was the Sugar Bowl between Mississippi and Georgia. This one was a back and forth thriller. Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro began the scoring with a pair of 1st quarter field goals from 55 and 56 yards. Georgia scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and led 21-12 at halftime, and the Bulldogs had a 24-19 lead after three quarters.

Ole Miss began a high scoring fourth quarter with two touchdowns, with a two point conversion and a kicked extra point for a 34-24 lead. Georgia answered with a touchdown, and a field goal with 56 seconds left to tie it at 34-34. After the kickoff, Ole Miss ran six plays and reached the Georgia 30 yard line. It was 4th down at the 30 with six seconds left and Carneiro kicked a 47 yard field goal to give Mississippi the lead at 37-34. The Bulldogs then fumbled the kickoff out of bounds for a safety, making the final 39-34 Ole Miss.

Semifinals

Mississippi will play Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8th. The two did not play during the regular season. The other semifinal will feature two Big 10 teams, with Oregon facing Indiana in the Peach Bowl on January 9th. The Ducks’ only loss this season was at the hands of Indiana by a score of 30-20 in Eugene on October 11th. The winners will play for the National Championship on January 19th.