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Page C4
Lake Oconee News
Friday, December 11, 2015
AthlonSports
SUPER SEMIFINALS
ALABAMA 2
1 CLEMSON
MICHIGAN STATE 3
4 OKLAHOMA
CLEMSON
DEFINING MOMENT On Nov. 7, Clemson and Florida State, the three
time reigning ACC champions, entered the fourth quarter tied at 13.
Clemson proved its playoff mettle with a dominating fourth quarter.
Deshaun Watson shook off an uneven start to lead two fourth-quarter
scoring drives, completing 9-of-ll passes for 97 yards in the final frame.
Meanwhile, the Clemson defense held FSU to three futile possessions,
including a game-sealing fumble. Clemson beat the Seminoles 23-13 to
go wire-to-wire atop the CFP rankings.
BIGGEST QUESTION Clemson’s defense was worn down near the end of
the season. Since a shutout of Miami on Oct. 24, the Tigers have allowed
five of their final six opponents to top six yards per play. That includes al
so-rans like NC State, Syracuse and South Carolina. The lapses have been
wholesale, but one of the keys has been turnovers. Clemson has forced
nine turnovers in the last six games compared to 14 in the first seven.
FINAL ANALYSIS Watson has been a superstar down the stretch for
Clemson, averaging 326.5 passing yards and 92.5 lushing yards per game
in the final six. He’s also accounted for 23 total touchdowns. Clemson will
arguably have the best quarterback in the College Football Playoff. If the
Tigers’ defense can refocus during the layoff, Clemson will be a threat to
win its first national title since 1981.
OKLAHOMA
DEFINING MOMENT The Sooners’ moment of truth came on Nov. 14 in
Waco. Oklahoma had demolished four lower-tier Big 12 teams after the
loss to Texas, but its potential remained questionable. Tied at 20 in the
third quarter against Baylor, quarterback Baker Mayfield led a 74-yard
go-ahead scoring drive. Samaje Perine followed with a 55-yard TD tun
on OU’s next possession. The key moment, though, was a 10-play, 5:42
touchdown drive that iced the game in the fourth quarter of a 44-34 win.
OU hasn’t looked back.
BIGGEST QUESTION How will OU perform if Baker Mayfield isn’t at his
best? This offense grinds to a halt when Mayfield is struggling (the first
three quarters against Tennessee), is under pressure (against Texas), or is
hurt (the second half against TCU). When the Sooners play a top-flight
defense, can running backs Perine and Joe Mixon keep defenses honest?
FINAL ANALYSIS There’s not much to dislike about Oklahoma in a
Playoff situation. The Sooners have championship coach, a Heisman-
contending quarterback and an above-average defense. OU ranks in the
top 14 nationally in yards per play, yards allowed per play and turnover
margin. OU has been pedestrian in the margins on third downs and in the
red zone, but the Sooners were still able to build an ironclad CFP resume
despite a loss to 5-7 Texas.
ALABAMA
DEFINING MOMENT On Nov. 7, LSU was the No. 2 team in the country
and undefeated while Alabama was trying to erase the sting of the loss to
Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa back in September. Alabama held LSU’s Leon
ard Fournette, then the Heisman frontrunner, to a season-low 31 rushing
yards. Meanwhile, the Tide’s Derrick Henry rushed for 210 yards and
three touchdowns. Everything Alabama is capable of this season was on
display in the 30-16 win over LSU.
BIGGEST QUESTION Alabama’s front seven is dominating, but the back
end of the defense has been vulnerable. Only Arkansas (35) allowed more
pass plays of 20 or more yards than Alabama’s 33 in SEC games this
season. Alabama also allowed 10 pass plays of 40 yards or more in con
ference play, most in the SEC. The Tide have improved their cornerback
situation with freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick taking a starring role, but Ala
bama lacks the big-time safeties the Tide have had in the past.
FINAL ANALYSIS Alabama is the only carry-over from last year’s Col
lege Football Playoff, and the Tide have the ability to finish the job this
time around. Henry should eclipse 2,000 lushing yards. Jake Coker has
proven to be a good caretaker of the quarterback position. And Alabama’s
front seven is among the deepest and most talented Nick Saban has had. A
fourth national title under Saban won’t be easy, but it is attainable.
MICHIGAN STATE
DEFINING MOMENT Perhaps no play in Michigan State history will
loom larger than “The Reach.” In the Big Ten Championship Game
against undefeated Iowa, Michigan State finished off a 22-play, 82-yard,
nine-minute drive when freshman L.J. Scott reached the ball over the goal
line for a 16-13 win to clinch a CFP bid. Scott carried 14 times for 40
yards on the drive, but the defining play may have been Connor Cook’s
option keeper on fourth-and-2 from the 5.
BIGGEST QUESTION Will the hiatus help Cook’s ailing shoulder? An in
jury to Cook’s throwing shoulder caused him to miss the win over Ohio
State and limited his production and efficiency against Iowa. Against the
Hawkeyes, Cook completed 50 percent of his passes, managed only six
yards per attempt and threw an interception — an uncharacteristic perfor
mance for a quarterback who is 34^1 in his career.
FINAL ANALYSIS Michigan State has been a charmed team all season.
The Spartans defeated Michigan on a fumbled punt and Ohio State and
Iowa on long sustained drives in the fourth quarter. Perhaps Michigan
State isn’t as talented or deep as the other three teams in the playoff, but
the Spartans won’t buckle under the pressure. Michigan State will be the
biggest underdog in the Playoff, which of course is where coach Mark
Dantonio likes to be.
TWO MO
PLACE
ONE LARGE PIZ2A
m
2015-16 BOWL SCHEDULE
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SEMIFINALS
ORANGE BOWL Dec 31
No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
COTTON BOWL Dec 31
No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Jan. 11 - Glendale, Ariz.
NEW YEAR’S SIX BOWLS
PEACH BOWL Dec 31
Florida State vs. Houston
FIESTA BOWL -Jan. 1
Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
ROSE BOWL Jan 1
Iowa vs. Stanford
SUGAR BOWL Jan 1
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
OTHER BOWLS
NEW ORLEANS BOWL - Dec 19
Arkansas State vs. Louisiana Tech
NEW MEXICO BOWL Dec 19
Arizona vs. New Mexico
LAS VEGAS BOWL Dec 19
BYU vs. Utah
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