Buckeyes Rout Texas, Win National Championship
In a season in which we can only wonder what would have actually happened had there been a college football playoff system in place, this simulation not only allowed the Buckeyes to get into the National Championship game, but they dominated Texas on both sides of the ball on their way to a 28-0 win, their second shutout of the postseason. Boom Herron rushed 21 times for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns while Terrell Pryor was once again very efficient in leading the Buckeyes to their first win in a National Championship game in their last three tries. Herron opened the scoring with a 37 yard touchdown run on Ohio State’s opening possession, and after a Texas punt, Pryor found Dane Sanzenbacher on a 27 yard touchdown pass to put the Buckeyes up 14-0 in the first quarter.
The defense held Colt McCoy in check the entire night, and limited the Texas offense to 265 total yards and forced 2 crucial turnovers. Both turnovers happened with Texas deep in Ohio State territory. The Buckeyes had an incredible and unexpected run through the playoffs, beating Alabama and Texas by a combined 55-0 score, as well as taking out their nemesis Florida Gators. The Buckeyes proved that being hot at the right time was a key factor, and by proving it on the field, there can be no doubt about who deserved the title this year. It’s just too bad that this was only a simulation where things make perfect sense, and not in real life.
The Final 2009 NCAA College Football Playoff Bracket
Texas Smashes Cincinnati, Advances to Title Game
Texas started out quickly and kept punishing Cincinnati in this 34-0 Sugar Bowl blowout. The Longhorns scored on their very first possession, and again right before the half to take a 14-0 lead into halftime. They then opened the second half with a long touchdown drive, essentially ending any chance the Bearcats would have of making it an all-Ohio national championship game. A Tony Pike fumble on the next possession led to a short Texas touchdown and a 28-0 lead going into the 4th quarter. The Longhorns added on 2 more field goals while outgaining Cincinnati 456 yards to 184 yards, with only 110 of those yards coming through the air.
Ohio State Downs Florida in OT, 17-14
The Buckeyes used some timely scoring and a poor decision by Tim Tebow to score in the final minute of regulation before going on to win the game in overtime. Leading 14-7 with a minute left and from their own 3 yard line, Tim Tebow threw a pass that was intercepted by Austin Spitler at the 15 yard line. Two plays later, Boom Herron tied the game on a 6 yard touchdown run.
The Buckeyes managed a 27 yard field goal to open the overtime period, after one nice pass to Devier Posey to get them close. On Florida’s first offensive play of overtime, Tebow was hit while trying to make an option pitch, and the ball popped loose where the Buckeyes recovered it and advanced to their third national championship game appearance in 4 years.
Buckeyes Hammer Tide, Gators get past LSU
In the biggest upset so far of the postseason, the Buckeyes used an absolute dominant defensive performance to go on the road and pound Alabama 27-0. They limited Mark Ingram to 11 yards on the day, and outgained the Tide on the ground 237 yards to 65. Terrell Pryor was efficient in leading the Buckeyes to 4 short TD passes out of his 170 yards passing. Brandon Saine rushed for 160 yards, and the Buckeye defense held Alabama to five first downs for the entire game. Ohio State advances to the Orange Bowl to play Florida on January 1.
The Gators used an explosive first half to rebound after LSU scored on an 85 yard TD pass on the second play from scrimmage. The Gators came right back down the field to score and ended the first half with a 21-17 lead. The defenses from both teams arrived in the second half, as only a Florida field goal was put on the board and the Gators held off a 4th and 2 from their 10 yard line in the final minute to end the Tigers season, setting up a rematch with the Buckeyes from a recent Gator National Championship.
Texas Survives Last Second Miss, Bearcats Top Boise
Colt McCoy tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass with 1:00 remaining in the game, giving Texas a 20-19 lead. But Iowa stormed back, converting a 4th down pass to the Texas 15 yard line and spiking the ball with 2 seconds remaining. After a Texas timeout to ice the Iowa kicker, the kick sailed just wide right as time expired, advancing the Longhorns to the Sugar Bowl on January 1 to face to Cincinnati Bearcts.
Cincinnati managed to hang on to a quick 21-3 lead over Boise State, capitalizing on a couple of critical Bronco turnovers, one of which was returned 100 yards for a Bearcat touchdown to put Cincinnati up 14-0 in the 1st quarter. After another Cincinnati touchdown put them up 21-3 with 20 seconds remaining in the half, the ensuing kickoff was returned 101 yards for a Boise touchdown to cut the lead to 21-10 at the half. Boise managed a 3rd quarter field goal to get within 21-13, and then scored a touchdown with 2:19 left to get within 21-19, but the 2 point conversion play resulted in a sack. Cincinnati then managed a long run to get into Boise territory and added a field goal with 0:59 remaining and a 24-19 lead, but Boise managed to drive the length of the field and was able to stop the clock with :02 left and the ball at the Cincinnati 10 yard line. But the last chance effort for the win was intercepted in the end zone, putting Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl against Texas on January 1.
LSU Knocks Off TCU, Tebow Leads Gators
In the final two games of the opening round of the NCAA football playoffs, Florida took charge of their game with Penn State in the second half to go on to a 38-21 victory, despite trailing 14-3 at halftime. In the final game of the night, LSU was unstoppable in pounding TCU with a relentless attack, scoring on the opening kickoff and not letting up in a 55-21 win on the road. Only two road teams won in the opening round of the playoffs, LSU and Iowa. All other higher seeded teams advanced to round two next week in what will be an outstanding week of college football. Details of the games played this weekend will be uploaded shortly.
Ingram Leads Tide, Wins Heisman – Buckeyes Advance
Mark Ingram scored 3 TD’s against Troy earlier today, then brought home the Heisman trophy this evening to cap off an excellent day. The Tide held off a valiant effort from Troy in winning 27-17 and now will host Ohio State next weekend. The Buckeyes beat Georgia Tech 27-13 in Columbus today, breaking open a close game in the 4th quarter with a dominating defense. More details to come.
Iowa Upsets Oregon, Boise Survives
The Iowa Hawkeyes knocked off host Oregon in the snow and freezing rain this evening, 24-17 behind an effcient game plan and two timely turnovers. Boise State held off a strong Virginia Tech effort with two huge turnovers deep in V. Tech territory to capitalize with two short range touchdowns to beat the Hokies 31-17. Highlights and game stories to come later, but this concludes day one of the first round of the NCAA football playoffs.
Cincinnati, Texas Advance to Round Two
Details to come later this evening, but earlier today, the Bearcats fought off a late threat from Central Michigan to hold one for a 20-14 win in Cincinnati. The Longhorns had their hands full as well in a 28-14 victory over East Carolina. Both teams will host 2nd round playoff games next Friday evening. Here is the updated bracket after the early games wrapped up today. We still have Iowa and Oregon coming up as well as Virginia Tech at Boise St. before the night is over.
Game Times for Round One Set
Lots of people will be skipping out of the office on Friday, probably moreso than do on the first weekend of March Madness. With the NCAA football playoffs kicking off at noon EST on Friday afternoon, there will be two full days of football to keep you busy with this dream weekend of college football.
Friday, December 11 at noon EST
Central Michigan at Cincinnati
Two outstanding quarterbacks dominate this game, and points will definitely be scored early and often. The Bearcats should win, but coming off a tough fought game in Pittsburgh last weekend, the Chippewas will give them all that they can handle. Weather could be a factor as well for both teams, as it is supposed to be cold in Cincinnati on Friday. Should be a great kickoff to the playoffs!
Friday, December 11 at 3 p.m. EST
East Carolina at Texas
Texas is a huge favorite in this one, and should be able to overwhelm the visiting Pirates in this opening round game.
Friday, December 11 at 7 p.m. EST
Iowa at Oregon
Does Ricky Stanzi return for this game? If so, this would be a great game. If not, I don’t know that they have enough offense to keep up with the Ducks on the road.
Friday, December 11 at 9:30 p.m. EST
Virginia Tech at Boise State
A night game on the blue turf, in what will be a wild atmosphere in Idaho. Boise is one of the main reasons we have this playoff system in place, and they will get their chance to make some noise in this one.
Saturday, December 12 at noon EST
Troy at Alabama
This battle of Alabama should be over in plenty of time to switch over to catch the 3 o’clock game.
Saturday, December 12 at 3 p.m. EST
Georgia Tech at Ohio State
Another game in the Shoe for Buckeye fans, in the cold against a Georgia Tech team that is not used to playing in the cold weather. Should be a great game.
Saturday, December 12 at 7 p.m. EST
Penn State at Florida
The big draw of round one, Joe Pa coaching in a playoff game in Gainesville against the Gators, in prime time on national TV. Seriously, would not every single TV in America be watching this on Saturday night?
Saturday, December 12 at 9:30 p.m. EST
LSU at TCU
The final game of round one is a big test for TCU. Are they for real? An SEC team will let us know right away if they are or not.
