By The Pigskin Prognosticator, PubClub.com College Football Blogger
In the wake National Signing Day, transfers, opt-outs, draft declerations, Florida State stalled at the complaint department and now threating to leave the ACC to go anywhere but there (hey, you were once an independent, maybe give that a try again), the College Football Playoffs are about to step out from behind the curtain and onto center stage.
The scenes are set in Pasadena and New Orleans, one a majectic setting the other a year-round party. There will be both celebrating and drowning of sorrows on New Year’s Day just a few hours after the New Year’s Eve parties.
Now onto the games. All times Pacific because The Prognosticator lives on the West Coast.
Alabama vs. Michigan (2 p.m., ESPN, Rose Bowl)
“Maybe the Rose Bowl we’ll win again” is the chant of the Pachyderms from the school fight song as they stomp into Southern California. But will they romp against a team that has emerged through the smoke (and mirrors) of a weak schedule in a weak conference with bookend suspensions of the Khaki Coach? Based on how they pushed around Kirby’s Canines in the SEC Championship the answer would seem to be yes.
The Sign Stealers have cruised through controversy and creampuff competition to arrive here, tho they do have a Big Blue offensive line and a quaterback that can make the pro throws. What they do not have, nor have they faced, is a quarterback that can run like a deer and no longer passes like one in the headlights. When all else fails for Bama, the current Jalen can break free for game-changing plays.
The program’s Tidal wave started in the Rose Bowl 99 years ago with a major upset of an established and supposedly superiour opponent and continued more recently with Nick Saban’s first National title with the boys in Crimson The Rose Bowl again will prove to be good to the Tide. Winner: Alabama
Bonus Coverage! The Rose Bowl tailgate scene explained.
Texas vs. Washington (5:45 p.m., ESPN, Sugar Bowl)
The Sarks will be like sharks patroling the waters off the mighty Missip hunting for some hungry dogs that have come down from the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Sleuths are pretty crafty characters, tho, and know a thing or two about aquatic adventures, turning their hometown waterfront stadium into a tailgate party they call sailgating.
On the swampland of the bayou, they will encounter the meanest Texas cattle drive since Vince Young was in the saddle, a team that is already well prepared on the offensive and defensive lines for thier upcoming entry into their new conference territory. They also have playmakers both behind and to the side of the quarterback, a situation that will challenge the Dawg D from front to back.
This will put the puressure on the Penix piont producer to keep up the pace. If the Purple Tornado pretend they are playing Oregon, it’s in the bag. But when they realize it’s the Lone Star Steers on the other side, they will be hooked with no escape route. Winner: Texas
Bonus Coverage! For fans at the Sugar Bowl, the pre-and post-game scene on and arond Borbon Street.
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