We now know the true power of something as insignificant as a ballot for Coaches Poll. It seemed like it was enough to push No. 3 in the Ohio State to the College Football Playoff National Championship
OK, so maybe the Buckeyes would still be no. 2 beat Clemson in the 2021 Sugar Bowl semifinals without the help of Dabo Swinney’s slapstick, but the Buckeyes admitted there was more than a little motivation after seeing, watching and hearing why the Clemson coach put them under the top 10 (in 11th place) placed on his ballot.
In filling out his last top-25 in the regular season, Swinney favored teams for the top 10 who have played at least nine games. It was quite an achievement for some in this season of COVID-19. Made aware that the state of Ohio – which only played its seventh game on Friday night – showed no mercy.
“No, I’m not sorry about that,” Swinney humiliated 49-28 in the Sugar Bowl. “Polls have nothing to do with motivation. I said it’s good enough to beat us.”
Yes, but on Friday, the Buckeyes were provoked enough to win the 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 defense indicates it has a goal.
“It just gives us extra motivation,” Josh Myers, Ohio center, said about BallotGate, “extra ways we can get guys pumped, get them started.”
Yes, it all sounds a little soft, but the state of Ohio may just as well play the card of no respect from New Orleans to South Florida for the national title game. It is there in the Hard Rock Stadium on January 11 where the weapons will become more conventional.
The state of Ohio needs to get someone to cover DeVonta Smith with the Alabama receiver.
Alabama needs to find a way to slow down Ohio quarterback Justin Fields. (Before that, doctors should be beating the pain in Fields’ ribs since Clemson’s James Skalski was thrown out of the game in the second quarter.)
If everything is taken into account, it will be one of the most legendary performances in Ohio State history. The Buckeyes’ ability to even reach the semifinals is well ashamed. Three matches have been canceled due to COVID-19. OSU needed a special verdict from the Big Ten to even play in the conference’s championship game. Coach Ryan Day contracted the coronavirus himself.
Fields emerged from Skalski’s hit on every throw on his way to 385 yards passing and a Sugar Bowl record of six times. It was the second-best individual performance in CFP history after Joe Burrow’s seven TDs tossed into a semifinal against Oklahoma last year.
It was also a reason why Alabama did not have to hand over the trophy yet. The state of Ohio suddenly looks like it has the weapons that match. In the last two games, Ohio defender Trey Sermon has run for more yards (523) than seven teams have done all season.
In the meeting between the top two recruits from the 2018 class – both from Georgia – Fields won this time. Clemson star QB Trevor Lawrence left the stage after being sacked twice, intercepting once and losing a ploy while throwing 400 yards.
The magic of Ohio State might not have happened if Fields did not fall back to the medical tent and take a shot or two and run there. ‘Day saw a motivated Fields for another reason. The quarter was the worst game of his career – two interceptions, no touchdowns, 44.4% completed against Northwest in the Big Ten Championship game.
“The conversation we had was, ‘You’re going to play well in this game, win this game, and no one will remember the Big Ten Championship Game,'” Day said.
“Fields’ Ribs” now promises to be a popular topic from now until the title game on January 11th. We do not know if it is broken, separated, bruised or just sore. But in one night, Fields led the Buckeyes from suspect to the brink of a championship. A team that has not yet utilized its shortened season to its potential suddenly has momentum and purpose.
The only two unbeaten teams left will play for everything.
Smith, the Heisman Trophy favorite, will take part in a one-off appointment with All-American cornerback Shaun Wade in Ohio. Alabama QB Mac Jones, also a finalist in Heisman, quietly became the first season of the program on Friday. In ten days, Alabama will see the two lead to its sixth title since 2009.
The Buckeyes were abundantly motivated on Friday. Ohio State Attorney Chris Olave broke the wrong path in the finish line after the Fiesta Bowl semifinal meeting with Clemson last year. The resulting interception resulted in a 29-23 victory over Tigers. In that game, Fields threw two picks. He threw one all season until that point.
“I think the loss fueled our entire season,” Day, now 23-1 as Buckeyes coach, said. “I think it fueled our whole season.”
On Friday, Olave received 132 yards and caught two of Fields’ passes.
The state of Ohio and Alabama have not met since the semifinals of the Sugar Bowl in the first year of the CFP that ended the 2014 season. The Buckeyes won that game 42-35 on their way to their last national championship. It was Urban Meyer’s team.
It still remains the era of Alabama. The match makes the SEC’s 11th national championship possible in the last 15 years.
Now the challenge becomes more strategic. Swinney will not be there to shoot his mouth off. Saban remains Belichickian in his ability to keep his comments as faint as the old cauliflower. It also helps to have the best team in the country.
There are several hills to climb in the next ten days. Fields’ ribs beat. College football should avoid another threat from COVID-19. There’s a Crimson threat trying to be conquered by the Scarlet and Gray.
Not bad for a team that is not in the top 10.