The College Football Playoff Committee has a difficult decision to make via ESPN at 11:00 a.m. CT as Selection Sunday has arrived for the playoff.
An intriguing debate between Alabama and TCU has stirred up, and we will find out which program will join Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State in the CFP. Alabama is a two-loss team with its blemishes at the hands of Tennessee and LSU on the road.
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Both losses came by four points combined, and the Crimson Tide are a made field goal and a defensive stop on a two-point conversion from being undefeated. TCU went undefeated through its Big 12 regular-season schedule; however, it did not display pure dominance in its matchups. Most of its victories were close wins, and then it lost to Kansas State (a three-loss team) in last week’s Big 12 Championship Game. The Horned Frogs needed to dominate the Wildcats, but Kansas State controlled the game from the opening kick. A blowout win for the Wildcats would have negated any argument for TCU, but it won by three points (31-28) and opened a dialogue for national media about should the Horned Frogs get in over the Tide.
Entertaining matchups and competitive games are two things college football fans want in the playoff.
Television ratings are good, and having national attention on matchups is needed, but the entertainment and competitive values stick out to fans. If TCU gets the No. 4 spot, fans will not enjoy watching Georgia skull-drag the Horned Frogs in the semifinal matchup. The Bulldogs have the best defense in the nation, filled with first-round NFL Draft picks, and Max Duggan (TCU’s quarterback) barely made it off the field against Kansas State. Georgia’s defensive speed would overwhelm him and the Horned Frogs’ offensive line. It would not be a competitive contest. It is reminiscent of Alabama’s meeting against Cincinnati last year.
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The Crimson Tide owned Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.
Desmond Ridder, a former quarterback for the Bearcats, ran for his life as he got sacked six times by the Tide’s defense. Cincinnati’s defensive front got pounded by Alabama’s running back Brian Robinson for 204 yards rushing on 26 carries.
The matchup was so easy for Coach Nick Saban that quarterback Bryce Young did not have to throw the ball. He did toss three touchdown passes; however, the Tide had the Bearcats beaten up because of the rushing attack.
Alabama overpowered Cincinnati, and Georgia will overpower TCU. Also, people remember the Tide’s matchup against Washington in the 2016 CFP Semifinal Game in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Jake Browning, the quarterback for the Huskies, had his life flash before his eyes several times as Alabama’s defensive players kept flying around to sack him. He was helpless in the pocket as he got sacked five times and tossed two interceptions – including one to linebacker Ryan Anderson for a touchdown.
Washington possessed a good defense in 2016, yet Bo Scarbrough pushed it around for 180 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 19 carries. The matchup did not get the best ratings because fans got tired of seeing the Huskies look overmatched.
Nontraditional powers in college football do not fare well as “at-large bids” in these marquee matchups. TCU has had a good season, but putting the Horned Frogs in this spot would be an eye sore for fans and a poor choice on the CFP Committee. Fans deserve entertainment, and having TCU face Georgia does not do that. We will see what the committee does as all eyes are on them.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
