CFB: Was the Title Game the Best Ever?
The college football season is complete, and the Alabama Crimson Tide were crowned national champions for the fifth time in the last decade, and for the second time in the College Football Playoff Era, after winning it in 2015 as well. The team they beat? The Georgia Bulldogs, who were vying for their first title since 1980, but failed to hold on to a 13-0 halftime lead. Alabama stormed back, and won 26-23, in an overtime thriller. Was it the best title game ever? We'll answer that and more. Our CFB Staff - Charles Post, Chase Zayac, Chinedum Wejinya, and Tyler Taylor - have their final rankings and responses to the top headlines set.
Semifinalists:
1. Alabama (13-1, 7-1)
2. Georgia (13-2, 7-1)
3. Oklahoma (12-2, 8-1)
4. Clemson (12-2, 8-1)
Top-25 Rankings:
5. Ohio State (12-2, 8-1)
6. Central Florida (13-0, 8-0)
7. Wisconsin (13-1, 9-0)
8. Penn State (11-2, 7-2)
9. TCU (11-3, 7-2)
10. USC (11-3, 8-1)
11. Auburn (10-4, 7-1)
12. Miami (10-3, 7-1)
13. Washington (10-3, 7-2)
14. Notre Dame (10-3, 4-1)
15. Michigan State (10-3, 7-2)
16. Oklahoma State (10-3, 6-3)
17. Northwestern (10-3, 7-2)
18. Stanford (9-5, 7-2)
19. LSU (9-4, 6-2)
20. Boise State (11-3, 7-1)
21. NC State (9-4, 6-2)
22. Fresno State (10-4, 7-1)
23. Washington State (9-4, 6-3)
24. Florida Atlantic (11-3, 8-0)
25. North Dakota State (14-1)
Just Missed the Cut:
26. San Diego State (10-3, 7-2)
27. Virginia Tech (9-4, 5-3)
28. Mississippi State (9-4, 4-4)
29. Iowa State (8-5, 5-4)
30. Iowa (8-5, 4-4)
Charles Post:
Bowl Record: 24-16.
Overall Record: 148-52.
Chase Zayac:
Bowl Record: 19-21.
Overall Record: 126-74.
Chinedum Wejinya:
Bowl Record: 15-25.
Overall Record: 129-71.
1. Where does this CFP national title game rank among the best ever? All four of our experts have the championship game played between Alabama and Georgia as one of the top four title games since the beginning of the BCS. "This was the greatest championship game in the history of having one," Chase Zayac said. "Two in-conference rivals slugged it out and gave us an unbelievable overtime finish." Chinedum Wejinya ranked it one spot lower: "I think this championship game ranks second all-time behind the Texas vs. USC game in 2005." Charles Post has it just behind the Texas-USC (2005) and Alabama-Clemson (2016) thrillers, while Tyler Taylor said "It ranks fourth to me, I'd put the Ohio State and Miami game above it because of how unexpected of an ending it had."
2. What should QB Jalen Hurts do after being benched at halftime? "I think Jalen Hurts should transfer to another school because he has a chance to help a good college football team, but I believe he will stay there until he feels like they won't use him in any way," Wejinya said. Zayac agrees: "Hurts is a phenomenal sport and shows great talent and poise. Unfortunately for his case, his counter part, Tua Tagovailoa also shows that as well, which is why he should transfer. Michigan needs as many quarterbacks as they can take by the way (hint, hint)." Post disagrees, though, explaining that it might be sensible to switch to another position and continue building a legacy for the most dominant dynasty in college football history. But if he were to transfer, he would have a lot of options, as dozens of schools would be lining up to grab him.
3. What early-season matchup are you most looking forward to? "I'm most looking forward to a pair of Week 1 matchups as LSU and Miami face off, and then Auburn and Washington will go at one another. Both will have CFP implications," Post said. "2018 looks promising as it starts off with Michigan and Notre Dame in South Bend. Let's just hope Jim Harbaugh has his guy by game time," Zayac explained. Wejinya stayed in the Big Ten, noting that Ohio State and TCU should be a great one. Lastly, Taylor went to the SEC for a couple of games that should have ranked teams vying for a victory. The defending champions will open their title defense with a neutral site match with Louisville. As for Jeremy Pruitt, the former Alabama defensive coordinator, will begin his Tennessee tenure with a game against Will Grier and West Virginia.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
