Let’s pick up right where we left off, shall we? At the season’s midpoint, Michigan took a trip to Champaign for a nominal top-25 matchup.

More Defining Plays From Michigan’s Season

Game 7: Illinois Fans Rush The Field After Outlasting A Rock Fight

This is not meant to sour folks on rushing the field. This is not the space for such NIMBY complaints. Still, Illini fans had this game circled as Memorial Stadium’s centennial, a 100-year party in the making. They got to celebrate with a win over a (dubiously) ranked Michigan team, bully for them.

Nevertheless, the nature of that win is worth some discussion, as this game marks a turning point in Wink Martindale’s defensive performance. From this point forward, the Wolverines only gave up more than 21 points in one other game – a defenestration by Oregon. In this game, they held Luke Altmyer to just 80 yards passing and got eight tackles-for-loss as a team. Martindale and his charges put the clamps down from here on out.

Still, the field-rushing gets top billing. Hey, you beat the defending national champs. Have a blast about it.

Game 8: Donovan Edwards Enters The Quarterback Competition Against Michigan State

We highlighted Donovan Edwards‘ big-play knack in Part One, but we must briefly commend his career passing line. He finished his college career a perfect 4/4 for 131 yards and two touchdowns and a rating of 560.1. Simply tremendous. In this game his 23-yard toss to Colston Loveland gave the Wolverines the winning points and kept Paul Bunyan in Ann Arbor.

It also gives us a chance to memorialize Loveland’s Michigan career, which ends with him setting the single-season record for receptions by a tight end (56). Loveland was a Spartan destroyer in a winged helmet, finishing with 10 catches for 146 yards and four scores against the in-state rival. Beyond that, he was perhaps the greatest receiving tight end in school history. While his blocking never quite reached the heights of compatriots AJ Barner and Max Bredeson, it improved during his time on campus. He’s going to make some NFL team very happy in the coming years.

Game 9: Davis Warren Throws A Touchdown In A Loss To The #1 Team In The Country

Oregon was always going to annihilate Michigan in this game. Thus, we entered it prepared to sift through the wreckage for bright spots. Davis Warren looking like a vaguely plausible quarterback option? We’ll certainly take it.

The touchdown in question here was a modest six-yard score to Peyton O’Leary, but it came at the end of an honest-to-goodness Offensive Drive. The Wolverines got the ball early in the second half and went 75 yards in 10 plays. It was something we needed to see – some proof of life that this team could string together a productive sequence.

Game 10: Zeke Berry’s Crucial Interception Cannot Stop #10WINDIANA

Indiana was a phenomenal story for the 2024 season. Given that Michigan seemed to be going nowhere fast, it was nice to have a Big Ten storyline to root for by proxy.

Indiana’s offense came into this game on an absolute heater, averaging 46 points per game and never scoring fewer than 31. Most expected them to unleash decades of pent-up frustration and beat the brakes off Michigan. That the Wolverines were able to hold them to just 20 was a huge win in context.

For Zeke Berry, the pick was some payoff on the promise of his potential. With star cornerback Will Johnson injured, Berry stepped in after an up-and-down career at safety/nickel back. He jumped a route on Indiana’s first drive of the second half and gave Michigan first and goal from the seven. They converted it into a field goal, but it was great foreshadowing for Berry’s emergence over the season’s home stretch as a viable cornerback option.

Game 11: Josaiah Stewart’s First Sack In The Dismantling of Northwestern

We’re using this play as a catch-all to celebrate a number of big plays by Michigan’s defensive in-transfers in a 50-6 rout. Josaiah Stewart gets top billing for being a spark plug. The undersized defensive end is seemingly shot out of a cannon on every snap, and has grown into a viable draft pick since he came to Ann Arbor after a few years at Coastal Carolina.

Ernest Hausmann also had a sack in this game. He looks set to lead the 2025 defense as a do-it-all linebacker. Snagging him from Nebraska was a major boon for this defense’s second level. FCS Albany sent grad transfer Aamir Hall to the Wolverines. Hall took some time to adjust to the competition level, but by season’s end was a reliable, steady contributor on the outside. He had a pick, a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed in this one.

Michigan has fared well in their portal targets the last few years. These successes should excite fans for the 2025 crop, which includes cornerback Caleb Anderson (Louisiana), linebacker Troy Bowles (Georgia), and defensive tackles Damon Payne (Alabama) and Tre Williams (Clemson). Anderson in particular looks to follow in the recent lineage of Hall and 2023 stalwart Josh Wallace.

Game 12: Kalel Mullings Runs 27 Yards Straight Through The Heart Of Ohio

Michigan had third down and six yards to go from the Ohio State 44. The game was tied, 10-10.

Kalel Mullings donned his cape one last time to save Michigan from itself and deliver a fresh batch of agony to the Columbus faithful. Michigan continued to run out the clock and inch closer to give Dominic Zvada a no-doubter field goal. The Buckeyes got the ball back with 45 seconds left and went one yard in four plays to end the game. It brought the Wolverines to four straight wins in this rivalry. This one was made all the more hilarious by just how heavily favored OSU was.

The postgame fracas brought pepper spray and a great deal of pearl-clutching. There was Mullings once again to step up in the aftermath and emphatically deliver a closing argument: “They gotta learn how to lose, man.”

Bonus! Game 13: Alabama Cannot Stand The Rain

It’s cheating slightly to select three plays here, but they must be taken jointly for full effect. In a span of four possessions, the Tide turned the ball over on downs, fumbled, threw an interception, and fumbled again. The Fumble-Pick-Fumble sequence was harrowing for Bama’s fans and hilarious for Michigan’s. The game was effectively a glorified scrimmage, especially considering the number of Michigan opt-outs. And yet, suddenly, miraculously, Michigan had a 16-0 lead.

That wound up being enough, as Martindale’s defense continued to harass Jalen Milroe all afternoon. Offensive woes took a backseat amidst the season-ending bounty. They jettisoned Kirk Campbell and brought in Chip Lindsey to coach the offense. Michigan beat the Buckeyes, punished Alabama, and won the Bryce Underwood sweepstakes. All told, despite the midseason doom and gloom, the Wolverines can consider Sherrone Moore’s first season a success.

The future looks quite bright in Ann Arbor.

The post The Defining Plays of Michigan’s 2024 Season: Part Two appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

On Thursday, Notre Dame dispatched Penn State in the Orange Bowl for a shot in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The Fighting Irish sat at home on Friday and tuned into the Cotton Bowl to see who their next opponent would be. After an intense, back-and-forth game with explosive plays and far too much laundry on the field, the Ohio State Buckeyes dispatched Texas, 28-14. The impressive, unexpected Ohio State CFP run survives for one more shot.

Ohio State Heads to the CFP National Championship After Defeating Texas

Something About Blue

In the Day era, the Maize and Blue have been the kryptonite of the Buckeyes. Michigan was not on that field but Jaydon Blue was.

For most of the game, the Longhorns’ best offensive threat came out of the backfield in the form of the junior running back. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian found an incredible wrinkle in the Ohio State in the form of a little running back wheel route out of the backfield. Quin Ewers found Blue not once but twice on the exact same play in the exact same scenario for scores.

In the second quarter, Blue hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass with a touch pass right over Sonny Styles‘ head. Then, after covering its usual third-quarter demons, Texas found Blue again. This time, he was wide open as the Buckeyes went all-in on a blitz (and inexplicably dropped Tyleik Williams into coverage) and Blue scampered 26 yards into the endzone.

On the day, the talented back finished with 75 scrimmage yards with two scores. He led the way in both rushing and receiving for the Longhorns but it wasn’t enough.

Undisciplined Buckeyes

The biggest takeaway of this game, at least in the negative, was Ohio State’s inability to get out of its own way. In total, the Buckeyes finished with nine penalties for 75 yards. It all started with a rare unsportsmanlike penalty against TreVeyon Henderson on the second drive while up 7-0. A holding penalty derailed the Buckeyes’ third drive. On the next drive, a holding and false start killed any momentum.

That was all just in the first half.

Defensively, the officials were (mostly) letting them play. However, the Buckeye secondary got dinged with back-to-back defensive pass interference calls in the endzone to set Texas up with a first and goal, down 21-14.

It’s not like these calls were ticky-tacky, either. Ohio State was in its way from the start and did commit those penalties and likely more. Heading into the matchup with Notre Dame, Day and his staff will have to iron that out.

Answering the Call

In the lead-up to the Cotton Bowl, all eyes were on Jeremiah Smith. The talented freshman came into this game with two elite performances in the Ohio State CFP matchups against Tennessee and Oregon. Texas’s goal on defense was to eliminate his impact. When the clock hit 00:00, that game plan worked. Smith was held to three yards off of one catch.

However, one door closes and another opens.

Will Howard started hot, struggled in the middle, and finished strong. On the night, he finished with 289 yards and a touchdown while completing 73 percent of his passes. He did have a crucial interception on the first drive of the second half as he locked on to Smith and did not see the linebacker underneath. However, other receivers stepped up.

Carnell Tate reminded the college football world of his talent with all of the focus on Smith. He led the Buckeyes with seven catches for 87 yards. Five of those catches resulted in first downs for the Buckeye offense. Emeka Egbuka stepped up with 51 yards off five catches. However, the star was Henderson.

After Texas stole all of the momentum off a game-tying drive and Ohio State ran the most basic running back leak screen and Henderson did the rest. In a callback to his first-ever touch in his freshman season against Minnesota in 2022, he tore up the field 75 yards for the touchdown.

On the final offensive touchdown drive, Ohio State’s offense responded with some of Chip Kelly’s patented creativity. He drew up a Howard quarterback draw on fourth down and he broke through for 18 yards. After a chunk from Egbuka, Quinshon Judkins powered forward for the conversion. Two plays later, he scored.

All in all, it was not the prettiest game from the Ohio State offense. Even then, it got the job done.

Mr. Ohio

The play that will live forever for Ohio State will be Jack Sawyer‘s fourth down heroics. Reminiscent of former Buckeye Sam Hubbard in the 2023 NFL Wild Card against the Baltimore Ravens, Sawyer hit Ewers, forced a fumble, scooped it up, and ran it back 83 yards to put the game away.

.@jacksawyer33 @Sam_Hubbard_
O – H! pic.twitter.com/gXf0pqPHP6

— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@BengalsCaptain) January 11, 2025

Sawyer has been playing out of his mind in this CFP run and will be leaned upon again against Notre Dame. His running mate, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, also had himself a game despite fighting an ankle injury. Tuimoloau finished with seven tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, and two-and-a-half tackles for loss. Despite everyone picking on him because of those Blue touchdowns, Styles led the way with nine tackles and a trio of tackles for loss.

This was just the second time Ohio State’s defense allowed more than 300 yards of offense this year. This game was both closer than the score suggested and not as close. If the Buckeyes cleaned up those penalties, they win the Cotton Bowl soundly. At the same time, if they aren’t bailed out with two back-breaking touchdowns, Texas likely wins this one.

This defense is ready for Notre Dame, it seems. In the post-game hooplah, Sawyer gave the quote of the year, “if you give us an inch, we’ll defend it.” The irony of Ewers’ fumble and Sawyer’s scoop-and-score is that the two were roommates in Columbus when the now-Texas quarterback was at Ohio State.

Now, Sawyer and that defense gets to fight for the program’s ninth national title on January 20. And, despite all of the Day narratives, Ohio State is set to play in its second National Championship game in five years. Only Alabama and Georgia can say the same with the Buckeyes. The inexplicable Ohio State CFP run continues.

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With a trip to the National Championship game on the line, Notre Dame (14-1) defeated Penn State (13-4) 27-24 in the Orange Bowl on Thursday. The semifinal win in this year’s expanded 12-team College Football Playoff vaults the No. 7 seed Fighting Irish into the National Championship game in Atlanta on Jan. 20. Seeking its first national title since 1988, Notre Dame will face the Cotton Bowl winner, either Ohio State or Texas to decide the national champion. Lou Holtz led the Irish to their last championship, defeating West Virginia 34-21 in the 1988 Fiesta Bowl to cap a perfect 12-0 season. All told, Notre Dame has claimed 11 national titles from 1924 to 1988.

“We knew this was going to be a heavyweight fight,” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said on ESPN immediately after the emotional win. “It’s a really good team we just faced. I told our guys that we’ve been in this position before. They believed. They got the job done. I’m really proud of them. We’re looking forward to the next one.”

Orange Bowl: Hard-Fought Instant Classic

In beating No. 6 seed Penn State for its 13^th consecutive win on Thursday in a back-and-forth instant classic, Notre Dame improved its all-time record to 10-9-1 over the Nittany Lions. It also marked the Irish’s first-ever win at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in three attempts. The Fighting Irish will be making their first appearance in the national title game since 2013.

After being outplayed in the first half of the Orange Bowl, the Fighting Irish recorded a legacy-defining victory with a determined comeback victory over the Nittany Lions. Mitch Jeter, who struggled earlier in the season with a groin injury, nailed a thrilling last-second 41-yard field goal to win the game. Jeter’s foot is sending the Irish to the National Championship game. A Christian Gray interception of Penn State’s Drew Allar set up the winning kick. Gray’s interception gave Notre Dame the ball in Penn State territory.

“He’s been clutch all year,” Freeman said of Jeter on ESPN after the game. “He’s special. It’s a special group. You find out a lot about your team at its lowest moments. This is a group that continued to stay together. They trust each other. They leaned on each other, and they got better. That’s the reality of this team.”

Backs Against The Wall for Notre Dame

To no one’s surprise, physicality played a key role in the outcome of the Orange Bowl. Penn State dominated the Irish early on both sides of the ball. The Nittany Lions controlled the lines of scrimmage to open the game. As a result, Notre Dame found itself trailing by two possessions for the first time all season. Penn State moved the ball with relative ease in the first half. Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton scored all three of Penn State’s touchdowns in the Orange Bowl. Drew Allar was effective through the air—though not to any wide receivers. The Penn State wide receivers did not make a catch-all night against Notre Dame’s elite defense. In a methodical first half, both teams combined for just 13 points. They picked up the tempo in the second half, combining to score 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.

Next Man Up

With their backs against the wall, the Irish overcame injuries, turnovers, and penalties to emerge victorious. Quarterback Riley Leonard had to undergo concussion protocol late in the first half. Right guard Rocco Spindler left the game with an injury. So too did left tackle Anthonie Knapp. Steve Angeli filled in admirably for Leonard late in the first half. Angeli threw for 44 yards and was 6-of-7 on pass attempts. He led the Irish to a Jeter field goal to make it a one-possession game at halftime.

Leonard did not have his best game for the Irish in the Orange Bowl. Despite throwing two interceptions, he led his team to victory by extending plays and drives with his legs. He capped off the third quarter’s first drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown to even the game at 10. With Penn State leading 24-17, Leonard delivered again. He hit Jaden Greathouse for a 54-yard touchdown pass with less than four minutes remaining in the game.

“He is a competitor,” Freeman said of Leonard. “Competitors find a way to win. That’s what Riley does. That’s what this team does.”

Looking Ahead

With the improbable win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame has now notched seven victories over opponents ranked in the AP Poll this season. The Irish also beat No. 20 Texas A&M; No. 15 Louisville; No. 24 Navy; No. 18 Army; No. 9 Indiana; and No. 2 Georgia. The CFP victory over Penn State was the 14th-ranked win of the Freeman era at Notre Dame. That is more than any other Irish head coach in the first three years of his tenure. The total equals the most of any FBS program over the last three years (Georgia, 14).

As Notre Dame eyes its first national title since the Lou Holtz era, Freeman’s squad must get healthy to take on either Ohio State or Texas on Jan. 20. The Irish showed their grit and resilience in a memorable victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl. If nothing else, they proved they have the heart of a champion. The championship game, however, will demand an even higher level of execution and intensity. Freeman, along with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and defensive coordinator Al Golden must find ways to elevate play on both sides of the ball. Consistency will be crucial. If they can do that, Notre Dame has a legitimate chance of fulfilling the dream of delivering a national championship to South Bend.

The post Notre Dame Eyes National Championship After Orange Bowl Win appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

Penn State’s season is over after losing a 27-24 thriller against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal.  On a national stage at the Orange Bowl in Miami, two of the most iconic programs in the country put on quite a show as they faced off for the chance to play for the National Championship.  For Notre Dame, it’s an opportunity to win their first title since 1988.  For Penn State, a long offseason of “what-ifs” begins after the Nittany Lions throw away their chance at a national title.

Head coach James Franklin is now 1-15 at Penn State against top-five teams.  Similarly, quarterback Drew Allar had historically put together pedestrian numbers against the best competition.  Counter to that, Allar had solid games to start this year’s playoffs against SMU in the first round and Boise State in the quarterfinals.  However, the demons returned as Allar threw his first interception of the game, a bad interception at that, in Penn State territory with 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.  With that turnover, Penn State both literally and figuratively threw away their chance at the national title as Notre Dame converted that to the game-winning field goal.  Allar did not complete a pass to a wide receiver in this game and put up his worst statistical performance of the season.

Key Takeaways: Penn State Throws Away Orange Bowl Against Notre Dame

The game was expected to be won in the trenches.  That factor was supposed to give Notre Dame an advantage.  Through the first half, it was quite the opposite as Penn State ran the ball at will, and Notre Dame lost two offensive linemen and starting quarterback Riley Leonard to injury.  Alluding to the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage in this game, at halftime Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman commented “We’ve got to run the ball and stop the run.”  The game was tied at 10 entering the final quarter.  Interestingly, the fateful fourth quarter saw conservative game plans and the defensive struggle go out the window.

Playing Through Injuries

A key storyline for both teams was the injury status of two of this game’s, and college football’s, brightest stars.  Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love came in with an injured right knee.  He was wearing a brace on that knee.  Penn State’s Abdul Carter was nursing an injured left arm.

Before the game, Freeman spoke of Love saying “As long as he can go, we’re going to play him.”  While Love started, he struggled to get going early on.  Penn State’s defense was more physical, and the injuries on the offensive line did not help Love overcome his knee injury.  In the first half, Love only had 10 yards on three carries.  Like the game itself, the second half was a different story for Love.  Symbolic of the fight in his team, Love would not give up and would not go down on his two-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Before kickoff, Franklin also commented on his injured star.  He simply said, “Looks pretty good to me.”  Carter made his presence felt early on, impacting both the Notre Dame running attack and passing game.  One such play forced Leonard to step up in the pocket to avoid Carter’s pressure, resulting in a Zakee Wheatley interception on an overthrow.  Carter played all but one snap in the first half but missed substantially more plays in the second half while significantly limited by his left arm.  Surprisingly, Penn State’s Mackey Award-winning tight end Tyler Warren, left for a bit after a hard sideline hit but soon returned.  However, he did achieve yet another milestone in the last game of his Penn State career.  Warren became the fourth tight end in history with 100 catches in a season.

Life of Riley

Another key player that missed some time in the game due to injury was Leonard.  As Notre Dame’s starting quarterback, Leonard is a threat both running the ball and throwing the ball.  The transfer from Duke struggled early on with the physicality and pass rush of Penn State.  Following a hard hit as halftime approached, Leonard exited after staggering while getting up.  Backup quarterback Steve Angeli came in and drove the team for a field goal just before halftime.

Leonard returned for the beginning of the second half.  Along with his return came momentum and a renewed confidence for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish took the first drive of the second half straight down the field for a touchdown to tie the game.  Leonard completed a 36-yard pass on the drive and finished it with a three-yard touchdown.

A test for leaders is performance in the face of adversity.  Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton picked off Leonard in the fourth quarter, and Penn State converted the turnover to a 24-17 lead.  Fittingly, Leonard responded with a 54-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.  He made big plays when it mattered the most.  After the game, speaking of Leonard, Freeman said, “He’s a competitor and competitors find a way to win.”

By the Numbers: Penn State Throws Away Orange Bowl Against Notre Dame

Offense

Passing: Penn State threw for 135 yards, compared to 267 for Notre Dame.  Drew Allar completed 12 of 23 for 135 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.  For Notre Dame, Leonard completed 15 of 23 for 223 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.  Angeli completed six of seven for 44 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Rushing: Penn State had 204 yards, compared to 116 yards for Notre Dame.  Nick Singleton led Penn State, and all players, with 84 rushing yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns.  Kaytron Allen added 82 yards on 19 carries.  Notre Dame was led by Love, who had 45 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.  Leonard rushed 18 times for 35 yards and added a touchdown.

Receiving: Warren led Penn State with 68 yards on six catches.  For Notre Dame, Jaden Greathouse led the team with a game-high 105 yards on seven receptions with a touchdown.  Aneyas Williams had five catches for 66 yards.

Defense/Special Teams

Defense: Wheatley had a game-high 16 tackles and an interception to lead Penn State.  Dennis-Sutton had two sacks and an interception.  Additionally, Carter and Coziah Izzard had a sack each.  Jack Kiser led Notre Dame with 10 tackles, while Rod Heard II and Joshua Burnham had one sack each.  Christian Gray had Notre Dame’s interception.

Special Teams: For Penn State, Ryan Barker converted his only field goal attempt.  He converted all three of his extra-point attempts.  Riley Thompson punted five times, averaging 42.0 yards per punt.  For Notre Dame, Mitch Jeter converted both of his field goal attempts and successfully converted all three of his extra-point tries.  James Rendell punted four times, averaging 39.3 yards per punt.

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At first, there were 12 College Football Playoff teams. Only, four remain with Ohio State and Texas set to battle at the Cotton Bowl. The winner of the latest Big Ten vs. SEC matchup will go on to face the winner of the Orange Bowl, Penn State or Notre Dame. Ohio State and Texas have taken two very different routes to get to the prestigious Cotton Bowl and both have been playing some of the best football of the year.

This game marks the fourth time these two storied programs will face off. The Buckeyes and Longhorns split a home-and-home series in 2005 and 2006 before Texas took the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. This is Ohio State’s fourth Cotton Bowl and the Buckeyes enter with a 2-1 record. Meanwhile, Texas is a frequent flier with the Cotton Bowl’s old tie-in with the Big 12, the Longhorns’ old conference. This marks the 23rd time Texas is featured in the Cotton Bowl where it holds a 12-10 record.

With a win, Ohio State will get back to the CFP National Championship for the first time since the 2020 season and second time in the CFP era. Should Texas emerge victorious, it will be the first time the Longhorns will play for a national championship since that 2006 Rose Bowl instant classic.

 Cotton Bowl: Ohio State and Texas Face off in CFP Semifinals

How We Got Here

Texas entered the season as one of the favorites to win the national championship and did little to sew doubt in that hype. The Longhorns kicked off the season strong with six straight wins including victories over Michigan and Oklahoma. Then, Georgia came to town and handed Texas a 30-15 defeat, thus bringing the team down to Earth. Unmoved, Texas rattled off five straight to earn a spot in the SEC Championship in the program’s first season in the new league. Unfortunately for Texas, Georgia was waiting yet again and came away victorious again.

As the runner-up, Texas locked in the five seed and hosted ACC Champion, Clemson in the CFP First Round. Despite giving up a first-drive touchdown, Texas went on a 21-0 run, propelling it to a commanding 38-24 win at home. In the quarterfinals, Texas drew Big 12 Champion, Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. With 10:17 to go in the game, Texas scored to take a definitive 24-8 lead. Then, the Sun Devils came storming back to force overtime after two touchdowns with two two-point conversions. The two traded touchdowns in the first overtime before Texas scored in the second period and held the Sun Devils out of the endzone.

Ohio State’s season has been up and down. After dispatching the three Group of 5 foes at the top of the schedule, the Buckeyes took care of business in the first two Big Ten matchups. Then, it fell in a one-point affair at Oregon. No matter, the Buckeyes got back on track with a pair of close wins over Nebraska and Penn State. After three more wins, one of which was over fifth-ranked Indiana, the Buckeyes inexplicably dropped another game to Michigan.

With the second loss, the Buckeyes failed to qualify for the Big Ten championship and were awarded the eighth seed. In the CFP First Round, Ohio State hosted Tennessee. The Buckeyes jumped out to an early 21-0 lead and thoroughly trounced the Volunteers. With the win, Ohio State earned a rematch in the Rose Bowl. Once again, Ohio State got out to a 34-0 lead en route to a 41-21 drubbing over the top-ranked Ducks.

When Texas Has the Ball

The Longhorns are led by one-time Buckeye, Quinn Ewers. The third-year starter has been solid for the Longhorns with 3,189 yards and an SEC-best 29 touchdowns. He will test the Ohio State secondary with tight end Gunnar Helm and receivers Matthew Golden and Ryan Wingo. Isaiah Bond was a threat but missed the Peach Bowl with an injury. This passing attack has been solid with four receivers averaging at least 16 yards per catch. At the same time, the rushing attack is formidable. Tre Wisner leads the way with 1,018 yards and five touchdowns with Jaydon Blue right behind.

The Longhorns haven’t faced a defense like Ohio State’s this year, however. The Buckeyes field the top scoring, passing, and total defense to go with the fifth-best rushing defense. The Ohio State defense has been elite all year but in the CFP, it’s been unleashed. Jim Knowles’ scheme has produced 12 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in the last two games alone. Jack Sawyer and Jaylahn Tuimoloau are finally playing up to their lofty billings as five-star players and potential NFL Draft picks. The secondary will have to step up again in this one. If Texas can run the “force Denzel Burke/Davison Igbinosun to commit defensive pass interference” play, it’ll have plenty of success on the night.

When Ohio State Has the Ball

Speaking of unleashed units, the Ohio State offense has been a completely different monster in the CFP. In the two CFP matchups to this point, Will Howard has been surgical, completing 41 of 55 passes for 630 yards and five touchdowns. While he has been fantastic in both matchups, his job has been made significantly easier by Jeremiah Smith and his home-run-hitting ability. The freshman phenom is averaging 22.3 yards per reception and has scored four times with each being more impressive than the last. The big question will be can the offensive line continue to play out of its minds despite the shake-ups?

Texas is loaded on defense. Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron leads the secondary with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups. The real strength is in the front seven. If Ohio State thought Tennessee and Oregon had stout defensive lines, Texas is different. The Longhorns have four players with 10 tackles for loss and at least five sacks on the year. Texas boasts the third-best passing defense, third-best total defense, and fourth-best scoring defense of the year. While Ohio State has already taken down three top-10 defenses to this point, Texas may pose the biggest threat.

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Fresh off a 23-10 dismantling of No. 2 seed and SEC Champion Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, No. 7 seed Notre Dame (13-1) continues its trek to the National Championship game with a date against the No. 6 seed Penn State (13-2) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 9. One of two semifinal games in this year’s expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, the 91^st Orange Bowl is played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET. The winner of the Orange Bowl will face either No. 8 seed Ohio State or No. 5 seed Texas in the National Championship game in Atlanta on Jan. 20.

On Saturday, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman addressed the media, reflecting on the Sugar Bowl triumph and the challenge ahead against Penn State.

“Thursday seems like forever ago,” Freeman said at the press conference. “It was a great moment for our entire program. By the time we got to the plane, the coaching staff had to turn our attention to Penn State. As special as that (Sugar Bowl) victory was, we put almost all our effort and attention to preparing for Penn State in making sure we’re ready for this opportunity in front of us. If you don’t prepare the right way, the reality is that the opportunity on Thursday will be our last one. And nobody in our program wants that. The reality is that it doesn’t matter what you want. It’s going to be about what you’re willing to do. So, we have to understand that and put the work in that is necessary to achieve the result we want.”

Notre Dame, Penn State Square Off in the Orange Bowl

How Notre Dame and Penn State Got to the Semifinals

The Nittany Lions arrive in the semis having beaten SMU 38-10 and Mountain West champion Boise State and Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty 31-14. The Fighting Irish took down in-state rival Indiana in the first round 27-17 in a game that was not nearly as close as the final score suggests. Notre Dame earned a berth in the Orange Bowl with a dominating 23-10 win in the Sugar Bowl.

Both Penn State and Notre Dame possess stingy defenses. The respective units are among the best in the nation this year, sitting in the top five in points allowed per game. Penn State allows 15.8 points per game. The Irish allow 13.8 points per game. Names to watch on defense are Abdul Carter for Penn State and Xavier Watts for Notre Dame. Carter, a likely first-round NFL Draft pick this year, is a powerful edge rusher. He tallied 11 sacks this season for the Nittany Lions. He exited the Boise State game in the first half with an apparent arm injury. Carter’s status is uncertain a week out from the game.

“Carter is as good as anyone in college football at the position,” Freeman noted. “They got guys. It’s a good team. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Watts is a two-time All-American safety. He leads the Irish with six interceptions and a forced fumble this season. Jack Kiser leads all Notre Dame defenders with 75 tackles. The leading tackler for the Nittany Lions is Jaylen Reed with 92 tackles.

On the offensive side of the ball, both teams are powered by strong rushing attacks. Penn State boasts a formidable backfield duo in Kaytron Allen (1,026 yards) and Nicholas Singleton (1,015 yards). Notre Dame’s rushing attack is led by workhorse Jeremiyah Love, dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard, and Jadarian Price.

Orange Bowl by the Numbers

Under head coach James Franklin, Penn State scores 33.7 points per game, while Notre Dame scores an average of 38.8 points per game.

Love leads the Irish’s potent rushing attack. He has racked up 1,076 yards this season on 148 carries with 16 touchdowns. Beaux Collins is Notre Dame’s leading receiver. A transfer from Clemson, Collins caught a touchdown pass against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and he has accumulated 445 receiving yards on the year. Leonard has developed into a solid game manager for the Irish. For the season, Leonard is 232-of-349 for 2,383 yards (66.5 completion percentage). He has thrown 18 touchdowns to six interceptions. The elusive signal-caller has rushed for 831 yards on 149 carries and scored 15 touchdowns on the ground.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar is playing at a high level heading into the Orange Bowl. For the year, Allar has completed 250-of-371 passing attempts (67.4 completion percentage) for 3,192 yards playing under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki). He has tossed 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Allar is also effective on the ground. He has gained 285 yards on 90 carries and has scored six rushing touchdowns. Tight end Tyler Warren is Penn State’s leading pass catcher, recording 1,158 receiving yards.

“I have a lot of respect for coach Franklin and the job he has done at Penn State,” Freeman said. “It’s a very talented, disciplined, tough football team with a very creative offense. They utilize a bunch of different personnel and different formations that force you to be disciplined in terms of your eyes and your adjustments. Both of their running backs are extremely good players. And both are homerun threats. Their quarterback is playing as well as he has all season. Their offense is going to present a great challenge to us defensively.”

Final Thoughts

Notre Dame enters the Orange Bowl seeking a third playoff victory. The clash with Penn State is shaping up to be the Irish’s most formidable test of the postseason. The Nittany Lions have a roster brimming with talent and depth on both sides of the ball. On short rest after their Sugar Bowl victory, the resilient Fighting Irish are seeking to win their 13^th straight game following a surprising Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois.

Penn State and Notre Dame have played 19 times. The series is tied 9-9-1 all-time. The most recent matchup between the two powerhouses came in 2007. The Nittany Lions prevailed 31-10 in that game. The winner of the Orange Bowl will take the all-time series lead in the rivalry.

Notre Dame’s road to the national championship runs through the team from Happy Valley. Freeman, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, will need to dig deep in his toolbox to orchestrate another statement win for the Notre Dame program this week. Under Freeman, Notre Dame is the first team ever to beat an AP-ranked opponent in six different months in the same season. The Irish beat No. 20 Texas A&M in August; No. 15 Louisville in September; No. 24 Navy in October; No. 18 Army in November; No. 9 Indiana in December; and No. 2 Georgia in January.

A physical Penn State presents yet another stern test for the Irish. An Orange Bowl victory over a team as deep as Penn State will rightly propel the Fighting Irish to the pinnacle of college football—the National Championship game.

The post Notre Dame, Penn State Square Off in the Orange Bowl appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

Sixth-seeded (fourth-ranked) Penn State faces seventh-seeded (fifth-ranked) Notre Dame in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs (CFP).  The game will take place at the Orange Bowl in Miami.  Both teams come into the matchup riding momentum.  Penn State has had two decisive wins in the playoffs, over SMU and Boise State.  Notre Dame has defeated Indiana and Georgia.  This matchup is an intriguing one pitting two bluebloods that have helped define the history of college football.  There is no doubt that this game will look a lot like other playoff games.  It will be hard-fought, and ultimately it will be won in the trenches.

Penn State enters the Orange Bowl with a record of 13-2.  The 13 wins is a record for the most wins in a single season for the Nittany Lions.  Over the first two playoff games, the defense has been dominant.  However, a key question looms for that Penn State defense.  Following a left arm injury against Boise State, will defensive end Abdul Carter play?  Even if he does, it is worth watching how effective he can or will be.

Notre Dame boasts a record of 13-1 and has won 12 in a row.  Notre Dame’s 13 wins also represent a single-season school record.  The Fighting Irish are very similar to Penn State in a few ways.  First, Notre Dame’s defense has proven to be stout against some quality offenses.  Additionally, Notre Dame sports a running back tandem that provides a similar threat to Penn State’s.  The Penn State defense proved in the win over Boise State that the unit is up to a challenge from a strong running game, holding Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty to his lowest output of the season.

Big Game James

An important storyline underscoring this game has been the performance of Penn State, and head coach James Franklin, in big games.  The win over Boise State in the quarterfinals was a step in the direction of quieting the criticisms.  However, a win over Notre Dame to advance to the National Championship game will go much further.

In the Round 1 victory over SMU, and the quarterfinals defeat of Boise State, Penn State was expected to win.  That has never been an issue for Franklin and Penn State.  The larger concern has been in games where the Nittany Lions needed to punch above their weight.  Countless games against Big Ten-rival Ohio State and Michigan are cases in point.  Additionally, at Penn State Franklin has a record of 1-14 against teams ranked in the top five.  The Orange Bowl provides a huge opportunity to put that criticism in the rear-view mirror.

#6 Penn State (13-2) Faces #7 Notre Dame (13-1): CFP Semifinals

When & Where: Thursday, January 9^th, 7:30 pm ET, at Miami, Florida (Hard Rock Stadium)

Last Game’s Results: Penn State defeated Boise State 31-14 at the Fiesta Bowl in the quarterfinals of the CFP.  Notre Dame beat Georgia 23-10 in a quarterfinal matchup at the Sugar Bowl.

Last Season’s Results: Penn State finished ranked #13 after a 10-3 season that ended with a Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss.  Notre Dame finished ranked #14 after a 10-3 season that ended with a 40-8 victory over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.

Series History: The CFP Semifinals will be the 20^th time these storied programs face off.  Each team has won nine times, and there was one tie.  The last time they played, Penn State won 31-10 in 2007.  Interestingly, that was the first official White Out at Beaver Stadium.  The team first played in 1913, a 14-7 win for Penn State.  They also played each year between 1981 and 1992, with Penn State winning eight of the 12 contests.

Penn State Faces Notre Dame Key Players to Watch

Penn State Linebacker Dom DeLuca

Heading into the semifinal matchup against Notre Dame, a big point of emphasis for the Penn State defense will be stopping the run.  While Penn State has had recent success in stopping strong rushing attacks, the Fighting Irish present a different type of challenge.  Linebacker Dom DeLuca has stepped up in recent games and will need to have another big game in the Orange Bowl.

DeLuca, a redshirt junior, was named a team captain for the second straight season this year.  A former walk-on, DeLuca embodies a lot of what makes college football great.  He made a mark on special teams, being awarded the #0 jersey as the team’s leader on special teams.  DeLuca is now a key contributor to the linebacker corps in coordinator Tom Allen’s defense.

DeLuca has been a spark in both Penn State playoff games.  He returned an interception for a touchdown against SMU for the game’s first score.  One of key plays in the win over Boise State featured DeLuca.  As Boise State split out running back Jeanty wide and threw a quick pass to him, DeLuca quickly closed and made a textbook tackle on the all-world running back.  The play was symbolic of DeLuca’s rise to stardom on the team, as well as the team’s grit in fighting to reach the CFP semifinals.

With Carter’s ability to impact the game from the defensive line in question, the rest of the defense needs to step up.  While Penn State boasts a great secondary, stopping Notre Dame’s running game will also require strong linebacker play.  DeLuca’s ability to continue to lead the defense and make impact plays make him a key player to watch in the Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame Quarterback Riley Leonard

The Penn State defense has been strong against the run this season.  Holding Jeanty to his lowest output of the season, and preventing him from setting the single-season rushing record, is a testament to that strength.  However, the Notre Dame rushing attack provides a unique challenge for Penn State.  Against Boise State, everyone knew Jeanty was the focal point.  For Notre Dame, there are a pair of strong running backs.  Additionally, Riley Leonard is another threat from the quarterback position.

There are two main ways for a quarterback to impact the running game.  First, throwing the ball well will cause a defense to back off to defend the pass.  That opens up more running lanes.  Additionally, the quarterback can become a rushing weapon himself.  That is the case with Leonard at Notre Dame, where he is a dual-threat quarterback.

Leonard’s passing numbers are strong, as he has completed 66.8% of his passes, for 2,293 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions.  In the Notre Dame running game, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price ranked first and third on the team, respectively, in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns.  Sandwiched between those backs is Leonard.  He ranks second on the team in carries (135), rushing yards (751), and rushing touchdowns (15).

Following Notre Dame’s only loss this season, 16-14 to Northern Illinois in the second week of the season, the offense has been on fire.  In the ten straight wins that followed, the Fighting Irish scored under 30 points only once.  Leonard has been a big part of that.  His ability to impact the game both through the air and on the ground makes Leonard a key player to watch in the Orange Bowl.

The post Penn State Faces Notre Dame in CFP Semifinals appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

In the preview of the Bahamas Bowl, it was noted that Buffalo had an advantage over Liberty in this contest. That was evident with a 26-7 win over the Flames. Buffalo entered this contest with a much more intact offense, and overall roster, than Liberty. The Bulls ran away with a Bahamas Bowl victory.

Buffalo Wins the Bahamas Bowl 26-7

The first half of this contest was less than thrilling on the scoreboard. The Bulls’ offense was kept out of the endzone by the Flames and resorted to three field goals to go up 9-0 entering halftime. Buffalo didn’t score its first touchdown until the third quarter and Liberty didn’t get on the board until seven minutes left in the fourth. When it looked like the Bulls’ offense would only get into the endzone once in this contest, the offense scored again with 26 seconds left. However, that touchdown was taken off the board. Giving a final score of 26-7.

Who Stepped in For Liberty on Offense?

The topic of conversation before this game was which players were going to step in for Liberty on offense. The Flames were at a disadvantage in this contest with six starters on offense unavailable due to opt-out or transfer. Things did not fare well for Liberty. Ryan Burger and Nate Hampton shared quarterback duties and neither blew away the audience with their performance. Burger ended the day going four-for-12 with 40 passing yards. He added 57 additional yards on the ground. Hampton also ended the contest with 40 passing yards, but that was on only two completions. He threw the lone touchdown pass but also threw a pick-six. Both occurred in the fourth quarter.

That interception wasn’t the only problem that the Liberty offense faced. It fumbled the football three times in the Bahamas Bowl. Luckily, depending on how it’s looked at, the Flames only lost two of the three fumbles. However, both of those lost fumbles were by Burger. In the preview to this contest, it was noted that the Flames would need to try to rely on running back Billy Lucas. He was the second-leading rusher for Liberty this season.

Unfortunately, the loss of three offensive linemen ahead of the Bahamas Bowl didn’t help Lucas. The Flames couldn’t get the rushing attack going and Lucas finished the day tied with Burger for 57 rushing yards. In the preview, we stated that using Lucas in the passing game could assist the Flames in this one. However, the quarterbacks couldn’t get much moving through the air either. Lucas finished the day with one reception for 11 yards.

This stat line will tell you all you need to know about Liberty’s offense. No receiver had more than two receptions and only one receiver, Treon Sibley, tallied two receptions. The team had a combined six receptions. No defense can work a miracle when the offense can’t move the ball. Further, this Liberty defense worked a miracle by only allowing one touchdown.

The Bulls Fared Much Better

A lot can be said about what the Liberty offense didn’t do in this contest. However, Buffalo as a whole had a solid showing. Despite only scoring one touchdown, the offense moved the ball down the field often. The Bulls ended the Bahamas Bowl with 222 yards rushing, 137 yards through the air, and zero turnovers. Starting running back, Al-Jay Henderson scored the lone touchdown for the Bulls and ended the day with 119 rushing yards. The Bulls were able to utilize nine different ball carriers in this game. In addition, quarterback CJ Ogbonna spread the ball to five different receivers. His favorite target, Victor Snow, led the team with four receptions.

All of those positive accolades and Snow only had four receptions? Yes. Ogbonna struggled through the air in the Bahamas Bowl. He only completed nine passes. He went nine-for-19 on the day. So while the Bulls won this contest, it was due to the rushing attack and field goal kicker Upton Bellenfant. Bellenfant completed four of five attempts in the Bahamas Bowl. He had a long of 52 yards.

In addition to the special teams and the run game, the Buffalo defense had a field day. There was a pick-six, two fumble recoveries, three sacks, and a whopping 10 tackles for loss. Overall, the Bulls fared much better than Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl.

The post Buffalo Overpowers Liberty in the Bahamas Bowl appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

The newest member of the SEC is the conference’s only hope in this week’s College Football Playoff Semifinals. The No. 5 Texas Longhorns are the highest remaining seed in the playoff, so much for byes for conference champions and the only SEC team left in the CFB Playoff…The Horns avoided an epic collapse and overcame a sensational performance by Cam Skattebo in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl to reach the CFB Playoff Semifinals.  This week, they host, err, travel to Arlington to take on the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The Buckeyes are the lowest-ranked team left in the playoff but have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 83-38. The task won’t be easy, but not much has been for the SEC this bowl season. Let’s take a quick look at the Horns and their lackluster brethren.

Tired: Horns Down.
Wired: Horns Up

In Bevo, we Trust

Can Bevo bring the Longhorns luck against the Buckeyes? After not being allowed to travel (again) to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl, Bevo will be on the sidelines along with the Minister of Culture in support of the team Friday night. The key to the Horns’ success is going to be fully embracing the “All Gas, No Brakes” mentality that Steve Sarkisian has brought to Austin. Texas slammed on the gas early in Atlanta. Quinn Ewers completed two big passes (23 yards and 54 yards, respectively) to drive 77 yards in two plays to put the Horns up 7-3. The Texas defense responded by forcing the Sun Devils to go three-and-out on their next drive. Silas Bolden then took the punt back for a touchdown to put the Horns up 14-3. The route looked on…or so we thought.

Texas has a bad habit all season. Fast starts, followed by long lulls from their offense. The quick start in Atlanta quickly turned into the “What will Skattebo do next show?” The Horns were finally able to put Arizona State away in double overtime. This sort of performance will not work against the Buckeyes; ask Tennessee or Oregon. Ohio State is firing on all cylinders, and the best bet for the Longhorns may be to try to outscore them rather than try to stop them. Texas has arguably the best receiving and running back room in the SEC. It will be up to Sarkisian and Ewers to find the complication to keep the Horns humming.

It Just Means More…Disappointment

No one mourns the wicked, and no, we’re not talking about Elphaba and Glinda. Many in the media and on social media are taking victory laps, declaring that the SEC’s dominance in college football is over. The criticism isn’t unwarranted: only one SEC team remains in the CFB Playoff Semifinals, and the conference ended the bowl season with an underwhelming 8-6 record, including some abysmal showings in Florida. But let’s not be too quick to bury the conference. Consider this: the Big Ten is on the verge of winning back-to-back national championships for the first time in over 60 years. Yes, 60 years.

The scrutiny on the SEC isn’t just about this season—it’s about history. Since 2003, the SEC has won an astonishing 14 national championships, with victories spread across multiple programs: Florida and Auburn (1),  LSU and Georgia (2), and Alabama (8). This era of dominance cemented the SEC’s reputation as the gold standard in college football, encapsulated by the slogan “It Just Means More.” In comparison, the big and mighty Big Ten has two national championships (Ohio State and Michigan) in that time frame. That legacy, however, is now being challenged.

Change is inevitable. The retirement of Nick Saban looms large, and the rise of NIL deals and the Transfer Portal have disrupted the traditional balance of power in college football. The SEC isn’t immune to these shifts, and its coaches must now adapt to the evolving landscape to reclaim the mantle of dominance.

This conference defied gravity for years, establishing itself as a juggernaut in the sport. And while the current setbacks might seem like the end of an era, history suggests the SEC won’t stay down for long. Given time, the conference will find their chance to fly.

SEC Betting Lines: CFB Semifinals

Everything’s bigger in Texas. Let’s hope that, for the sake of the SEC, that also means the number of points for the Longhorns compared to the Buckeyes. Can we really stand another Big Ten National Champion or (gulp) Notre Dame? Your CFB Playoff Semifinals betting lines and game totals are courtesy of FanDuel. Check the links for insights from your favorite Last Word on College Football writers.

The post SEC Betting Lines: CFB Playoff Semifinals Edition appeared first on Last Word on College Football.

When the clock hit zeroes, the Golden Gophers had their eighth win of the season, their eighth straight bowl win (tops in FBS), and their sixth straight bowl win under P.J. Fleck. Let the mayonnaise bath BEGIN.

We predicted a 24-13 Gopher victory – only three points off, not bad. Let’s break it down.

Minnesota Wins The Duke’s Mayo Bowl 24-10

The Golden Gophers Get Going Early

The game started both weirdly and slowly. Minnesota safety Koi Perich muffed a punt after VaTech’s first drive. Three traded punts later, Minnesota led a modest drive into a missed field goal. Virginia Tech finally opened the scoring with an eight-play, 80-yard drive, most of which was accrued on a 67-yard completion from Collin Schlee to Ayden Greene.

The Gophers responded in kind, putting together nine plays and 80 yards of their own. Some red zone trickery led to the capper, a halfback pass from Darius Taylor to Elijah Spencer. In leading receiver Daniel Jackson’s absence, Spencer got some work as a featured pass-catcher. He’d finish the game with six catches for 82 yards and a pair of scores.

Minnesota continued to rumble from there, forcing VaTech to punt twice while adding two more touchdown drives. Quarterback Max Brosmer‘s first touchdown pass was Spencer’s second touchdown reception. Taylor contributed a score on the ground with a 28-yard scamper. That made it 21 straight points from the Gophers. The Hokies showed their youth and couldn’t seem to get out of their own way.

They made up some ground just before the half, however. Pop Watson found Greene for a big gain that brought the Hokies just outside of field goal range. Kicker John Love, veins full of ice and mayonnaise, absolutely demolished a sixty-yard field goal to stem the bleeding and take us to halftime.

21-10 in favor of the Big Ten’s torchbearers.

Cruise Control

The game’s first 30 minutes dragged in start-stop fashion with possessions going back and forth ad nauseam. Minnesota took control in the second half. Fleck’s squad held the ball for nearly 11 minutes in the third quarter alone, and more than two-thirds of the second half in total.

With Virginia Tech going nowhere fast on offense, The Gophers turned on cruise control. Taylor (20 carries for 113 yards) and Jaren Mangham (nine carries for 57 yards) led the way, alongside some well-placed, well-timed Brosmer passes to Spencer and tight end Jameson Geers.

As was noted before the game, the Hokies couldn’t overcome so much missing production. They did have some sparks, though. Schlee and Watson intermittently made plays, and Greene was a bright spot in the receiver corps.

VaTech’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt was brief but spicy. Freshman receiver Keylan Adams took an end-around 47 yards before a turnover on downs in the red zone. Minnesota gave it right back when Dante Lovett picked Brosmer off and returned it to the 15, but the offense stalled out and couldn’t capitalize. By then, all Minnesota needed to do was snag a couple easy first downs. For Fleck, the mayonnaise bath beckoned. Speaking of which…

The Mayonnaise Of It All

We’d be remiss not to discuss the booth highlights, with Matt Barrie and Aaron Murray subjected to a gauntlet of mayonnaise and mayonnaise-adjacent culinary adventures. First up were banana-and-mayonnaise sandwiches. Later on, they shelved the mayonnaise for a brief dalliance with other Duke’s condiments like barbecue sauce, slathered over trademark Hokie turkey legs.

The real kicker, the one that got to Barrie in particular, was the chocolate ice cream bar dipped in mayonnaise. The play-by-play man’s reaction was visceral, immediate, and expulsive. Hard to blame him.

In the end, Fleck took his condiment shower, and we all bore witness to the great Tubby reveal. Tubby, as we all know, is the Duke’s Mayo Bowl mascot, a sentient and human-sized jar of mayonnaise with Eugene Levy’s eyebrows. Who wore this most sacred uniform? None other than Flava Flav. Rejoice for bowl season shenanigans, they make this sport great.

Looking Ahead

In the portal era, no team’s offseason goes without significant roster turnover. Minnesota tends to do a better job than most of building around a core of program-loyal players, but Fleck will still have to replace his quarterback and re-tool his offensive line to remain in the upper end of the Big Ten.

Brent Pry and the Hokies will need to find a permanent defensive coordinator, though Bud Foster’s un-retiring for this game worked out nicely given the circumstances. VaTech’s young players acquitted themselves well, all things considered, but the team will have to replace at least 14 of 22 starters in 2025. It’s going to be an uphill battle, but there’s reason for optimism in Blacksburg.

Happy Bowl Season to us all, and let the mayo be ever in your favor.

The post Minnesota Wins The Duke’s Mayo Bowl 24-10 appeared first on Last Word on College Football.