As the late Bernie Mac once said: “Who ya wit!” Yes, the final four teams were announced Sunday morning for the NCAA College Football Playoff. In what’s been a crazy season, there was a small margin for error. Lose one game and more ground to cover in stating your case. Regardless of a team’s body of work, coaching and personnel factor into the decisions. It’s going to be dicey after the chaos has settled after conference championships concluded. Oh, the joys of finding outliers and making sense of the final four.
1. Michigan Wolverines: (13-0) Big Ten Champions. In what’s been a very interesting three weeks for Michigan, they finished the season undefeated and won the Big Ten Championship over West Division winner Iowa Hawkeyes. Adversity and controversy surrounded the team with Connor Stallions, who was accused of sign stealing put head coach Jim Harbaugh in timeout. In what became their identity, Michigan still won without losing sight. A three game suspension for Harbaugh forced the Wolverines to maul any team in their path. Finishing the season strong and Jim Harbaugh returning for the Rose Bowl matchup against Alabama, Michigan is on a mission to win it all without being trampled by the Tide.
2. Washington Huskies: (13-0) Pac-12 Champions. Let the barking begin as the Huskies won the Pac-12 Championship title in their last season before emerging to the Big Ten in 2024. Led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr, Washington finished the season undefeated en-route to securing their spot Friday night after defeating Oregon. This is one team who can score points and is well coached. In a season where Washington basically had to win out, mission accomplished in a very competitive power five conference. The Huskies need to bark even louder and flex their stamina to have a chance against Texas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. They can’t afford to leave any meat on the bones if winning a national title is their goal.
3. Texas Longhorns: (12-1) Big-12 Champions. Let’s go for a bull ride shall we! The Longhorns return to prominence arrived on que as they booked their first trip to the playoff. A team who’s seen more head coaches than wins over the last few seasons, Texas has more to prove than any team mentioned. One of the best teams to start the season by beating Alabama, Texas’ lone loss came to rival Oklahoma mid-season. In what’s been a case for having a strong defense and solid offense, Texas’ path to the final four was without controversy. Yes, they play in the Big-12 and still managed to win their final conference title before leaving for the SEC in 2024. Led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, Texas looks primed and ready to compete against Washington in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Will the Horns hook the Huskies without being afraid of the loud barking?
4. Alabama Crimson Tide: (12-1) SEC Champions. Roll Tide trampled into the SEC title game knowing the assignment: beat Georgia and restore order. Mission accomplished as Alabama beat their conference rival in dramatic fashion. Head coach Nick Saban is recapturing the magic in what makes Alabama football special. Back on the national stage as one of the best teams and securing their spot Saturday night. It hasn’t been a pretty season for the Tide; as they took an early season loss to Texas at home; while the media was questioning the play of quarterback Jalen Milroe’s capability to meet the Alabama standards. If there was a moment he did, watch the final drive against instate rival Auburn last weekend in which ended with a game winning touchdown. Will Nick Saban return to the national championship game and win his eighth title? Alabama’s stampede will start in Pasadena, California which they’ll roll up on the Michigan Wolverines.
Of course, there’s teams who were left out and not much more they could’ve done to improve their chances. For the sake of chaotic context, how would it play out for the following teams?
Florida State Seminoles: (13-0) ACC Champions. The biggest spear occurred with quarterback Jordan Travis’ season ending with a gruesome lower leg injury two weeks ago. A playoff spot was gone and not much more they could’ve done. Despite winning the conference and going undefeated, Florida State was left out of the final four. Devastating as it sounds, players put in the work and stayed in the hunt until they got speared by the injury bug and not being selected for a playoff spot. Florida State had its best season since 2013; while head coach Mike Norvell has slowly built this team back into the national spotlight. It’s going to be a very vengeful bowl game for the Seminoles. Whoever they play in the New Year’s Six games, they’ll be ready to throw the spear at their opponent.
Georgia Bulldogs: (12-1) SEC East Division Champions. The bark wasn’t loud enough to defeat Alabama; grip wasn’t strong enough to hold on. In what’s been a three year run for the Bulldogs, they were sent back to Athens, Georgia with their bowls emptied. Head coach Kirby Smart has been one of the best coaches in the nation as they’ve produced NFL talent every year. There’s nothing to be ashamed of losing to Alabama. Being number one most the last few seasons comes with territory. Every dawg has its day and Saturday night wasn’t in their favor. Despite the SEC Championship being held in their backyard not too far from Athens, Georgia. Look for the Bulldogs to bark even louder in their New Year’s Six bowl game.
Oregon Ducks: (10-2) Pac-12 Title Runner-Up. Duck tales weren’t waddling their way to the college football playoff after losing to Washington Friday night in their final Pac-12 conference game. Having a strong offense and solid defense, Oregon couldn’t paddle past the Huskies, as they rallied late but a bad decision to onside kick cost the Ducks a trip to getting some grapes. As they fly out of the Pac-12, a bigger and stronger conference in the Big Ten awaits in 2024. Oregon awaits their next opponent to be announced for a nice bowl game to finish the 2023-24 season.
Ohio State Buckeyes: (11-1) Big Ten Conference Runner-up. A bad batch of Buckeyes can’t get past their rival Michigan. Having a solid schedule in the Big Ten, head coach Ryan Day has been good against other teams. With the conference getting a boost of new teams in 2024, they’ll have to heavily recruit and hit the transfer portal in competing with Michigan, Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington. In what’ll be the best conference next season, Ryan Day may find himself losing sleep if he can’t get it together. With wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr likely declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, Ohio State will be middle of the pack in a top heavy conference. Winning double digit games isn’t good enough; winning national championships is the objective. The Buckeyes look to continue their season in finishing with a bowl game win.
As college football fans sit and wait for the bowl games to be announced in another week, the final four teams will have three weeks to prepare for their quest to win a national championship. Nothing will be easy; the journey taken for a title doesn’t come without adversity. Only the strong survive in the battles fought. Timing is everything; patience is a virtue in accomplishing greatness. As the final four have knocked on the door and entered. Will they open the door to a national title? All of this and more will be answered in the weeks to come.
Stai tuned…
