Football fix on the way tomorrow night when Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma settle up on the field. Already been a bunch of good bowl games but these two games are what it's all about and what we've waited for. The write ups online are manifold so check those out for real game analysis and detail. High School playoffs went 16-4 so I'm anxious to see how these do.
Oklahoma-Clemson
OU 11-1 played a unspectacular schedule with little jumping out except the ot win at Knoxville over quirky Vols in game #2, 31-24. Other games used for the ratings were any losses, in this case Texas 17-24, and wins against power teams Baylor 44-34, TCU 30-29 and Ok St 58-23. Typical Big-12 "O" at 46ppg but against weak to average teams (Kan, K St, I St, Akron, TT)....but came on strong at end closing with wins against the quality mentioned above on consecutive weekends.
Clemson 13-0 had a few more games of note, beating Notre Dame 24-22, FSU 23-13 and UNC 45-37. Also beat talented, erratic NC St 56-41 and a young (next year!) Louisville team 20-17. Tigers have a young D (20ppg) that has had issues against offenses not as prolific as Big-12 teams Sooners faced. But hey, 13-0 is 13-0. Multiple, dangerous offense like Sooners at 38ppg.
Rating: 1.84 OU
Vegas: -3.5 OU
Alabama-Michigan State
Alabama 12-1 rolled through quality op in the SEC since the 43-37 loss at home to Ole Miss Week-3, beating Georgia 38-10, Arkansas 27-14, Tennessee 19-14, LSU 30-16 and Florida 29-15, handily! Other wins of note are Tex A&M 41-23, Wisconsin 35-17 and Miss St 31-6. They average 34ppg and allow 14. Impressive stuff against that group.
MSU's (12-1) quality opponents aren't as impressive as Alabama's beating Oregon 31-28, Michigan 27-23, OSU 17-14 and Iowa 16-13. Lost to Nebraska 38-39. Super tight games. Other wins of note came against a bad Penn State team winning 55-16 and Air Force 35-21. Overall, the Spartans look like Alabama Lite.
Rating: 6.49 Alabama
Vegas: -10 Alabama
Projected playoff winner at this point is Alabama beating Oklahoma by 1.64.
Oklahoma-Clemson
OU 11-1 played a unspectacular schedule with little jumping out except the ot win at Knoxville over quirky Vols in game #2, 31-24. Other games used for the ratings were any losses, in this case Texas 17-24, and wins against power teams Baylor 44-34, TCU 30-29 and Ok St 58-23. Typical Big-12 "O" at 46ppg but against weak to average teams (Kan, K St, I St, Akron, TT)....but came on strong at end closing with wins against the quality mentioned above on consecutive weekends.
Clemson 13-0 had a few more games of note, beating Notre Dame 24-22, FSU 23-13 and UNC 45-37. Also beat talented, erratic NC St 56-41 and a young (next year!) Louisville team 20-17. Tigers have a young D (20ppg) that has had issues against offenses not as prolific as Big-12 teams Sooners faced. But hey, 13-0 is 13-0. Multiple, dangerous offense like Sooners at 38ppg.
Rating: 1.84 OU
Vegas: -3.5 OU
Alabama-Michigan State
Alabama 12-1 rolled through quality op in the SEC since the 43-37 loss at home to Ole Miss Week-3, beating Georgia 38-10, Arkansas 27-14, Tennessee 19-14, LSU 30-16 and Florida 29-15, handily! Other wins of note are Tex A&M 41-23, Wisconsin 35-17 and Miss St 31-6. They average 34ppg and allow 14. Impressive stuff against that group.
MSU's (12-1) quality opponents aren't as impressive as Alabama's beating Oregon 31-28, Michigan 27-23, OSU 17-14 and Iowa 16-13. Lost to Nebraska 38-39. Super tight games. Other wins of note came against a bad Penn State team winning 55-16 and Air Force 35-21. Overall, the Spartans look like Alabama Lite.
Rating: 6.49 Alabama
Vegas: -10 Alabama
Projected playoff winner at this point is Alabama beating Oklahoma by 1.64.