College Football is ready for its new era. All year it’s been, “Who’s in?” Now, we know. The Oregon Ducks manhandled Jameis Winston and his Florida State Seminoles in the Rose Bowl Game, 59-20. Pasadena was filled with Ducks fans, and they better be ready to travel to Arlington. Oregon quieted haters who always say they don’t win big games. Marcus Mariota, in his first game since winning the heisman, again proved why he is the best player in college football.
In New Orleans, Alabama was expected to handily beat the “not deserving” Ohio State Buckeyes. Many questioned if they should have been in the playoff, but they proved themselves in the Sugar Bowl. They beat the Crimson Tide 42-35 in a highly exciting game. Third string quarterback Cardale Jones again impressed in only his second game. It’s been a long road for the Buckeyes since they lost in September to Virginia Tech, but they made it.
I really love the new playoff, and the new bowl schedule. The 6 biggest games divided into New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day is very fun, as you have the biggest games to watch and two fun days. It just adds to the excitement of those days. I also love the number of bowl games, and do not think there are too many. Yes, there are the Rice vs Fresno State blow outs out there, but how many fun games were there? The 2OT Miami Beach Bowl, the inaugural Camellia Bowl, and how about the finish in the Bahamas Bowl? There have been so many great bowls between teams who get so much from playing in them. It’s fun for the fans, the players, for everyone. For two weeks all the smaller bowls provide the fun leading to the New Year’s 6 bowls and the College Football Playoff. To me, all of them are just as exciting. Bowl season really is the most wonderful time of the year.
P.S. There are no SEC teams in the final for the first time since 2005 (USC vs Texas). The SEC’s rule over football looks to be ending. What a big day for the BIG 10.