College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Recap
New Year’s Day Spotlight: Texas Tech vs. Oregon
Looks like Dan Lanning had to learn his lesson and take the points to trust his defense, which was stellar. Dante Moore looked very comfortable against a great Red Raiders defense and did a good job of getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Wide receiver Malik Benson really stepped up, making some big catches to put Oregon in scoring position. However, they played sloppily, taking care of the football. They would have destroyed Texas Tech if not for costly fumbles for negative yards at the worst possible time.
It’s a shame for Texas Tech because they were playing well enough to win on defense. David Bailey was a force and proved why he’ll be drafted in the top-10. His pressure kept Texas Tech in the game for as long as they could. Which brings me back to how poorly Texas Tech was offensively.
Their play-calling didn’t challenge Oregon. Texas Tech really thought they could beat Oregon running the ball horizontally. Also, they didn’t challenge the Oregon defensive backs outside the numbers. Quarterback Behren Morton looked awful and hesitant to drive the ball down the field. Everything became condensed for him, and after Texas Tech went down by multiple scores, there was no getting out of the hole they dug for themselves.
Brandon Finney was the star of the day for the Ducks’ defense. He had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He took away half the field and was always near the football. Also, Matayo Uiagalelei’s strip sack and fumble recovery gave Oregon the shot in the arm they needed and proved to be the major difference in the game.
Upset Special: Ole Miss Over Georgia
Ole Miss’ win over Georgia speaks so much to the solidarity of that team and playing through internal turmoil. So many people counted them out after the departure of Lane Kiffin to LSU. However, it was made clear that not everyone was on board with Kiffin. And, not everyone was willing to abandon ship on a great season from the Rebels. Pete Golding, who is losing much of his offensive staff to LSU, rallied the troops and kept them focused. Major praise to Charlie Weis Jr., who called a great game plan for Trinidad Chambliss.
Chambliss was arguably the best player on the field between two programs loaded with talent. He threw for over 360 yards and engineered a nine-point comeback in the second half and did it with his arm and mobility. His anticipation, touch, and grit opened a lot of eyes with his game against Georgia.
The kicking game was also great, led by Lucas Caneiro, who made three big kicks, including the game-winner. A much-maligned Ole Miss defense made just enough stops when it mattered to hold off a surging Bulldogs offense. Now in the Semifinals, the Rebels are playing with house money and have emerged as an improbable contender for a National Title.
Who Helped Themselves the Most in the Quarterfinal?
Sticking with Ole Miss, Pete Golding and Trinidad Chambliss helped themselves the most last week. First, Golding is making Lane Kiffin regret leaving as abruptly as he did, whether Kiffin will publicly admit it or not. The team has flourished in the last month of the season with their backs against the wall. Golding has ignited a fire under this team that believes they can do anything if they are unified, and that’s exactly what they have been. Their surge has attracted a lot of positive attention to the program in that Ole Miss is being linked as the favorite to land former five-star recruit Deuce Alexander. Kiffin’s departure put the baton in Golding’s hands, and now he is sprinting to the finish line.
As for Chambliss, finishing the campaign as strongly as he has only means that he can parlay his success to the next level. Chambiss has requested that he be granted another year of eligibility to stay in college football. Yet after the year he has had, it may be wise to strike while the iron is hot. His quarterback counterparts have struggled this year and battled injuries.
Drew Allar saw his stock plummet this year and suffered an injury. Cade Klubnik had a shaky season after being tabbed a Heisman contender. You can also say the same about Garrett Nussmeier. Chambliss would be one of the hottest names going into the draft process, and it’s largely because of how he has come on in the last two weeks, specifically his game against Georgia.
College Football: CFP Semifinal Spotlight and Upset Special
Wednesday Spotlight: Ole Miss vs. Miami (FL)
At this point in the tournament, it’s hard to argue that Trinidad Chambliss isn’t the second-best arm talent in the College Football Playoff. Chambliss and his receivers are going to challenge the Miami defense vertically and have the ability to strike in bunches. That said, the Georgia defense doesn’t compare to what Miami’s defense can do to alter a passing game. Miami contained a high-flying Ohio State offense that may have the best assembled offensive talent in the country.
Carson Beck has been red hot as of late and has taken care of the football. Georgia exposed the interior defensive line of Ole Miss and had a lot of success on the ground. The Rebels will have to find a way to limit Mark Fletcher and not let Malachi Toney be the showstopper that he has been all season. This one could be decided by Lucas Caneiro and Carter Davis as to who moves on to the National Title Game.
Upset Special: Oregon Over Indiana
At this stage in the playoff, it’s about who can fight fire with fire. The Indiana defense is suffocating, but the Oregon Ducks’ defense stood tall to completely dominate a potent Texas Tech team last week. Their linebackers were flowing to the ball and putting the pressure on Behren Morton. You have to think that’s the best chance for Oregon to hang with Indiana, by making the game a rugged stalemate.
Dante Moore looks very poised, and Oregon is starting to incorporate more of the supporting cast outside of Kenyon Sadiq and Dakorien Moore, with Benson taking a more prominent role. Expect Dan Lanning to roll the dice more and pull out all the stops as he’ll always go down swinging. The Ducks are prepared for Indiana running backs Roman Hemby and Kobe Black, and the true freshman Finney Jr. is going to be ready for showtime. Ducks win a fistfight over Indiana 20-17.
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