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Twin sisters collegebound
December 19, 2016
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Eagles young, but talented See page B-5
Despite final 4 under question
Crimson Tide, Buckeyes still championship favorites
After converting on a fourth and 1, Ohio State junior running back Curtis Samuel breaks loose on his way to scoring his gamewinning 15-yard touchdown in overtime to lead the Buckeyes to a 30-27 victory over Big Ten rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium. In pursuit are defensive tackle Matthew Godin (99) and defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins (9). (Press photo by Scott Grau)
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They are multitalented and mean. Alabama's running backs love to hit, and when they run, they trample defensive units...
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The date and place are set — January 9, 2017 in Tampa Florida. The two winners of the New Year’s Eve semifinal games will meet to determine the NCAA FBS Division I national champion. In talking to various persons over the last few weeks, it has become obvious to me that few, including myself, actually understand “exactly” how the teams are selected, what guidelines are followed and who makes the selections. Despite the commonly and incorrectly held belief that winning a championship in a major conference is, by itself, a shoe-in for the final four, no team automatically qualifies. This became very evident this year when Penn State, the Big Ten champion, was not selected for the playoffs, and yet Ohio State, who did not even play in the Big Ten championship game, was selected. Among the criteria used to select the teams is strength of schedule, head-to-head results against common opponents, championships won and maybe even, dare I say it, even market factors (potential television audiences?). I’ll throw that in, because even though the Buckeyes are definitely a top four team, no one can deny that when Ohio State qualified for a BCS championship or final four playoff game, a sea of scarlet and gray filled the host stadium, making it lucrative for media and the NCAA. As a result, my four best teams are not the same as the selection committee’s best. I’d argue, the best are, in order, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan and possibility Penn State. Unfortunately, Michigan and Penn State were not chosen. That basically means the so-called “speedy” Southeast Conference no longer dominates the college football scene, with the exception of Alabama. Perhaps the selection committee was concerned about having three teams from the Big Ten. However, there is no question in my mind that Michigan could whip either Washington or Clemson and Penn State probably could beat the Huskies. However, we will have to be content watching Michigan and Penn State defeat someone else in a different bowl game. Why don’t the Huskies meet my standard? Simply said, the fourth-ranked Washington Huskies do not impress me. Alabama is definitely the best of the four and the game against the Huskies will likely be over before the first half ends. Clemson is better than Washington but not quite as good as Ohio State, so the Buckeyes should beat Clemson, which will set up another epic championship game between Alabama and Ohio State. From there, Alabama is the better team. They are multitalented and mean. Alabama’s running backs love to hit, and when they run, they trample defensive units the way linebackers usually charge through ball carriers. So Alabama should win, but wait… right now the Buckeyes are a better team than they have been for several years. They have finally tightened up their defensive secondary against the pass. They have a ton, albeit young, of talent and a very good and experienced quarterback in J.T. Barrett. Add to that some very good receivers and running backs. Running back Ezekial “Zeke” Elliott is now an NFL superstar with the Dallas
Toledo-born Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Harold Hamilton believes the Wolverines deserve a shot in the national final four. (Press photo by Scott Grau) Cowboys, but keep your eye on Detroit native Mike Weber, who redshirted in 2015 as a true freshman only to meet the challenge
of having to fill Elliott’s shoes in 2016, garnering 1,017 yards rushing (6.1 per carry) and nine touchdowns in his first full season. The biggest speed bump I see for OSU is the offensive line. Many said the line would be hurting because of talent lost to the NFL and it looks like that has become the case. Problems don’t show up earlier in the season, but when they begin to play against a stronger schedule it begins to show. Let’s hope the long lay-off since the win over Michigan will help them get healthier, stronger and more mature. Just about all of the information you can gather about Alabama and Ohio State says that the Crimson Tide will win, but something that is not measured on paper is desire. OSU’s
In My Opinion by Harold Hamilton players may be young, but the great thing about college football is the motivation to win, especially in young people, where it can overcome tremendous odds. If I had a team that was to play Alabama I can think of no better coaches to motivate a young team than Urban Meyer and his crew. Remember a couple of years back, despite an early loss to Virginia Tech, when a third string quarterback and an OSU team that was not supposed to mature for another year took it all — becoming the first undisputed national playoff champion? Could history repeat itself? We know J.T. Barrett is a solid quarterback, and if a young offensive line can start blocking on cue, Barrett will have space to run and have time for his receivers to get open, which is what would make the Buckeyes competitive against Alabama. It pains me to say it but Alabama is the best team in the country but maybe, just maybe, this young Ohio State team will deliver a year early one more time. (Northwood resident Harold Hamilton is a freelance photographer representing HEH photos. Visit HEHphotos.smugmug. com, email hehphotos@bex.net or heh1@ bex.net, or call 419-509-6883.)
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