A couple of interesting notes by Stewart Mandel today in The Athletic in his weekly college football roundup column.
Alabama’s in a league of its own: Mandel’s Final Thoughts is the headline:
Alabama for the first time played 10 games against SEC teams and not only won them all, they won them by an average score of 50-17. The Tide’s last five victories have come by scores of 41-0 (Mississippi State), 63-3 (Kentucky), 42-13 (Auburn), 55-17 (LSU) and 52-3 (Arkansas).
But of special interest to ND fans were his thoughts on who will be the four playoff teams:
......the committee does still need to invite three other teams to the Playoff, and Florida’s loss likely leaves us with just two scenarios. One, Clemson beats Notre Dame and it’s Alabama-Clemson-Notre Dame-Ohio State. Or, Notre Dame beats Clemson a second time and it’s Alabama-Notre Dame-Ohio State-Texas A&M. I include the Buckeyes in both because I’m under no delusion 6-1 Northwestern, with its limited offense, can outscore a team with Justin Fields.
I agree with Mandel that Notre Dame will be one of the four playoff teams. The only way that they are not is if Clemson somehow puts at 52-10 type beatdown on the Irish this Saturday. I don't see that happening. I think that the Clemson game is going to be another close hard fought nail-biter with the Irish once again coming out on top.
I am hoping and praying for an Irish win as that would likely eliminate the possibility of any 3rd time matchup with Clemson, and ND would probably face Texas A&M in the first playoff round. Even if ND were to then lose to what I think is a great Alabama team, no one could argue that finishing 12-1 with two wins against Clemson and a first round playoff win was not a fabulous season. Perhaps the greatest non-national champion season in ND history.
Plus who knows - maybe ND could then pull off a monumental upset of Alabama for their 14th NCAA recognized National Championship.
Alabama’s in a league of its own: Mandel’s Final Thoughts is the headline:
Alabama for the first time played 10 games against SEC teams and not only won them all, they won them by an average score of 50-17. The Tide’s last five victories have come by scores of 41-0 (Mississippi State), 63-3 (Kentucky), 42-13 (Auburn), 55-17 (LSU) and 52-3 (Arkansas).
But of special interest to ND fans were his thoughts on who will be the four playoff teams:
......the committee does still need to invite three other teams to the Playoff, and Florida’s loss likely leaves us with just two scenarios. One, Clemson beats Notre Dame and it’s Alabama-Clemson-Notre Dame-Ohio State. Or, Notre Dame beats Clemson a second time and it’s Alabama-Notre Dame-Ohio State-Texas A&M. I include the Buckeyes in both because I’m under no delusion 6-1 Northwestern, with its limited offense, can outscore a team with Justin Fields.
I agree with Mandel that Notre Dame will be one of the four playoff teams. The only way that they are not is if Clemson somehow puts at 52-10 type beatdown on the Irish this Saturday. I don't see that happening. I think that the Clemson game is going to be another close hard fought nail-biter with the Irish once again coming out on top.
I am hoping and praying for an Irish win as that would likely eliminate the possibility of any 3rd time matchup with Clemson, and ND would probably face Texas A&M in the first playoff round. Even if ND were to then lose to what I think is a great Alabama team, no one could argue that finishing 12-1 with two wins against Clemson and a first round playoff win was not a fabulous season. Perhaps the greatest non-national champion season in ND history.
Plus who knows - maybe ND could then pull off a monumental upset of Alabama for their 14th NCAA recognized National Championship.
