Did you watch the end of the Chargers/Broncos game? That was an exciting game between two crappy teams. First you have the Chargers going for it on fourth down twice and getting the first down both times. The big catch by Williams was exciting. But that is not what I want to talk about right now.
I want to focus on the Broncos next possession: with eight seconds to go, the game is tied, Drew Lock opts to go deep instead of taking a knee and going into OT. It paid off as the Chargers defensive back committed pass interference and the ball was placed at the spot of the foul, giving the Broncos a chance for the field goal with three seconds. Naturally they nailed it and the Chargers saw their season end (more on that in another second).
I will never understand why teams do not do this at the end of games (or the half). The odds of a Pick 6 in that situation have to be somewhat low. As long as the QB keeps the ball above the defenders and towards the sidelines, it should be okay, right? Also, the odds of defensive pass interference has to be a little higher than the odds of an interception. That was really what Lock was shooting for and he got it.
Which brings me to the defensive back (I am too lazy to look up who it was). How do you commit that penalty there? It was such a bad penalty. And it was insanely stupid! If he allows the receiver to just catch the ball and wraps him out and tackles him in-bounds, the quarter would have ended. The pass was not close enough to the sideline, which is something a defender should probably have in the back of their mind.
The loss drops the Chargers to 4-8. When they went for it on fourth down, one of the announcers said “well, they have to go for it. They have to win out to be 9-7.” Thanks! I could not do that math myself. I hate 87% of announcers.
I feel bad for the Alabama kicker. I have no clue who I wanted to win that game. I love chaos in the rankings, I also love seeing underdogs win, but I really do not like Auburn. Naturally that game made me think it was time for another college football playoff prediction…here we go!
- LSU (12-0)–they crushed Texas A&M. You can argue #1 & #2, either team deserves the spot. It all depends on conference title games. If LSU beats up Georgia then I think they deserve the top spot.
- Ohio State (12-0)–it was a close game for a little bit with Michigan, but then the Buckeyes just ran away with it. I think they need to destroy Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game in order to jump back into number one.
- Clemson (12-0)–they look like the team that won the national championship last year. They have an easy conference championship game and they should win big against…umm…hold on, let me check…Virginia. Does it really matter?
- Georgia (11-1)–the Bulldogs have to hate that loss to South Carolina. If they were undefeated going against LSU in that SEC Championship, you could give either team a nod for a loss. But now? Georgia has to win to stay in it. I think if they do win, LSU drops to #4. Obviously the next few teams are rooting for the Tigers.
- Utah (11-1)–Utah’s defense is good. I think they are the only defense that could maybe stop Ohio State’s running game. I want to see that game. They have to beat Oregon and they need to make a statement while doing it.
- Oklahoma (11-1)–The Sooners are still in the hunt. They need to beat Baylor and they have to do it convincingly. Maybe even play some defense. They have been skating by the past few weeks and need a big win to prove they are legit.
- Baylor (11-1)–If they can avenge that loss to Oklahoma, then things could get interesting. They would need Oregon to beat Utah though. And obviously they need Georgia to lose.
Okay, those are the only teams that have any chance. It would take a whole bunch of unlikely scenarios to have a two loss team jump into the top four. I guess Florida would be the best option (only losses to LSU & Auburn). For that to happen though, Georgia would have to beat LSU (and it would need to be bad). Wisconsin beats Ohio State (again, bad). Virginia beats Clemson…okay, we have moved into fantasy land. I guess we need Baylor to win, but it has to be a super high scoring affair, like 62-60. No defense at all…and if all that happens. Then maybe the CFP committee would put…well not Penn State or Florida or any of the other two loss teams in the top four. Sorry, but it just will not happen.
It was a great season and hopefully the Nittany Lions end up with a big bowl game. Will they end up in the Rose Bowl against Oregon? Or maybe Utah if they do not get into the top four.
And yes, I will predict all of the bowl games again this year.
