Now we know the true power of something as trivial as a coach’s ballot. It seemed to be enough to push the No. 3 Ohio State into the National College Football Playoff Championship
OK, so maybe the Buckeyes would still have beaten No. 2 Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl semifinal without the help of Dabo Swinney’s agitated gums, but the Buckeyes admitted there was more than a little motivation after seeing, watching and listening why the technical Clemson ranked them in the top 10 (11th) on their ballot.
When filling in his last top 25 of the regular season, Swinney chose teams for the top 10 who played at least nine games. That was a major achievement for some this season of COVID-19. Informed, Ohio State – playing only its seventh game on Friday night – showed no mercy.
“No, I don’t regret any of that,” Swinney after his team was humiliated by 49-28 at the Sugar Bowl. “Polls have nothing to do with motivation. I said they were good enough to beat us.”
Yes, but on Friday, the Buckeyes were provoked enough to beat Tigers. It was not immediate – the teams were tied 14-14 after the first quarter – but it was inevitable. The 639 yards against Brent Venables’ fifth place defense suggested it had a purpose.
“It gives us extra motivation,” said Ohio state center Josh Myers of BallotGate, “extra ways to encourage our people and put them into action.”
Yes, it all seems a little banal, but the state of Ohio may well play the card without respect all the way from New Orleans to South Florida for the national title game. It is inside the Hard Rock Stadium on January 11th that the weapons will become more conventional.
The state of Ohio must find someone to cover Alabama’s wide receiver, DeVonta Smith.
Alabama must find a way to slow Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. (Before that, doctors must treat Fields’ rib pain that has been throbbing since James Skalski of Clemson was kicked out of the game in the second half by aim.)
All things considered, it will be one of the most legendary performances in Ohio state history. The Buckeyes’ ability to reach the semifinals was well narrated. Three games were canceled due to COVID-19. OSU needed a special Big Ten decision to even play the conference championship game. Coach Ryan Day himself contracted the coronavirus.
Fields emerged from Skalski’s streak, wincing with each move on his way to 385-yard passes and a Sugar Bowl record of six touchdowns. It was the second best individual performance in CFP history alongside Joe Burrow’s seven TDs released last year in the semifinal against Oklahoma.
That was also the reason why Alabama’s No. 1 shouldn’t receive the trophy yet. The state of Ohio suddenly seems to have the necessary weapons. In the last two games, Ohio State running back Trey Sermon has run for more yards (523) than seven teams throughout the season.
In the meeting between the top two finishers of the 2018 Class – both from Georgia – Fields prevailed this time. Clemson’s star, QB Trevor Lawrence, left the college stage after being fired twice, intercepted once and missing a fumble when launching for 400 yards.
The magic of the state of Ohio may not have happened if Fields had not retreated to the medical tent after being shot in the ribs and given “a shot or two and ran back there”. Day saw a Fields motivated by another reason. The quarterback was coming out of the worst game of his career – two interceptions, no touchdowns, 44.4% conclusions against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game.
“The conversation we had was, ‘You go out and play well in this game, win this game and no one will remember the Big Ten Championship Game,'” said Day.
“Fields’ Ribs” now promises to be a hot topic until the January 11 title game. We don’t know if they are broken, separated, hurt or just sore. But one night, Fields took the Buckeyes from suspects to the edge of a championship. A team that has not played to its full potential in its shortened season suddenly has momentum and purpose.
The only remaining two unbeaten teams will play for everything.
Smith, the Heisman Trophy favorite, will face Ohio State All-American cornerback Shaun Wade in a TV interview. Alabama QB Mac Jones, also a Heisman finalist, quietly Friday became the show’s one-season pass leader. In 10 days, Alabama will see how the two can take him to his sixth title since 2009.
Buckeyes were motivated by many on Friday. Ohio State WR Chris Olave broke the wrong path in the final zone at the conclusion of last year’s Fiesta Bowl semifinal meeting with Clemson. The resulting interception ensured Tigers’ 29-23 victory. In that game, Fields launched two choices. He had played one all season until that point.
“I think that defeat boosted our entire off season,” said Day, now 23-1 as the Buckeyes coach. “I think it boosted our entire season.”
On Friday, Olave had 132 yards of reception and picked up two touchdown passes from Fields.
Ohio and Alabama have not met since the Sugar Bowl semifinal in year 1 of the CFP that ended the 2014 season. The Buckeyes won the game 42-35 on their way to their last national championship. This was Urban Meyer’s team.
This remains the Alabama era. The confrontation made it possible for the 11th national championship of the SEC in the last 15 years.
The challenge now becomes more strategic. Swinney will not be around to shoot you in the mouth. Saban remains bellicose in his ability to keep his comments as bland as a cauliflower from the previous day. It also helps to have the best team in the country.
There are several hills to climb in the next 10 days. Fields’ ribs are throbbing. College football must avoid another COVID-19 threat. There is a Crimson threat trying to be conquered by Scarlet and Gray.
Not bad for a team not ranked in the top 10.