With the first round of the CFP Playoffs now in the books, and the quarterfinals set to begin in eight days, now is the time for teams and fans to look ahead to arguably the de facto national title game rematch between No.8 Ohio State and undefeated newcomer and B1G champion Oregon.
(8) Ohio State vs. (1) Oregon: A sequel to both college football’s biggest and hottest new conference rivalry, the Buckeyes and Ducks meet in a Rose Bowl rematch out in Pasadena.
In what was considered an instant classic in a very noisy and loud Autzen Stadium, Oregon outlasted Ohio State, 32-31.
A month has passed since that matchup, with the Buckeyes losing their season finale vs. Michigan 13-10 and defeating No.9 Tennessee in the opening round of the CFP Playoffs in Columbus.
Are the Buckeyes ready to pay back the Ducks?
Depends on which Ohio State tram arrives in Pasadena.
Will they get the team that is explosive and dynamic in wins over Indiana, aforementioned Tennessee and Penn State, or the team that looked scared, inept and conservative against Michigan at home?
Heaven forbid they get the team that had some unforced mental errors vs. Oregon, such as QB Will Howard’s ill-timed game-ending slide, the first time.
That’s the thing with Ohio State.
Arguably, they are the most talented team in the country—even more than the Ducks—but they often beat themselves in among critical self-destructive mistakes at the wrong time.
Make no mistake, Day’s future is still very much under fire, despite winning vs. the Vols in Columbus, the stench from that embarrassing 13-10 loss vs. That Team Up North still lingers over both him, the shocked and angry Bucks fanbase and nothing short of winning the school’s ninth national title will save his job.
(6) Penn State vs. (4) Boise State: While some could argue that the Nittany Lions have the easiest path to a national title, many are choosing to overlook Ashton Jeanty and the Boise State Broncos at their own peril.
Yes, Penn State outclassed an inferior SMU team, 38-10 in the cold at Beaver Stadium, now as both teams are set to meet in Arizona at the Fiesta Bowl, but the Mustangs don’t have the likes of a 2,000-plus running back that the Broncos do.
If there is any one game or moment that a team from an overlooked conference such as the Mountain West would get up for, with the extra motivation of their player in Jeanty finishing second in the Heisman vote could get more juiced up for, it’s the Broncos and Jeanty.
And Penn State is the perfect mark.
College football blue blood, from arguably the second best conference in college football, after the SEC (Sorry, B1G fans, but it’s true!)
AND, you’re an underdog?
Many PSU fans are already circling this game as a win, and making plans for the semifinals.
If I’m a BSU fan, player or alum, you best believe that this blog, or any other digital content from now to gameday will be used as bulletin board material to help fire up a clearly overlooked—and flying in under the radar—Broncos squad.
If there is the perfect definition of a trap game. This is it.
You’ve been warned, Penn State.