Dreams were realized and hopes were destroyed.
Championship weekend has come and now gone for the 2023 college football season, and a few things are for certain.
On Friday night, No. 3 Washington won a wild game over No. 5 Oregon, 34-31, to win the PAC-12 championship. Then on Saturday, No. 2 Michigan did what was expected of them – shutting out No. 16 Iowa, 26-0, enroute to the Wolverines’ third straight Big Ten Championship.
And then, things get … murky.
No. 7 Texas firmly handed No. 18 Oklahoma State a 49-21 to win the Big 12 title. No. 8 Alabama followed that with an upset win over top-ranked Georgia, 27-24, to win the SEC.
And finally, No. 4 Florida State remains undefeated beating No. 14 Louisville, 16-6, to win the ACC.
Conventional wisdom should dictate that the College Football Playoff is set: Michigan, Washington, Florida State and Texas.
But what about a 12-1 SEC champion Alabama, or 12-1 Georgia or even an 11-1 Ohio State? Do the Seminoles, who are down to their third string quarterback and squeaked out the victory, deserve to stay in?
No matter what the committee decides on Sunday, somebody is getting left out.
Here’s what we think:
Damien Dennis, publisher: Lets stick with conventional wisdom. Michigan and Washington are in, easy. Despite a lackluster victory and dealing with injuries, Florida State once looked like a championship contender and they deserve that shot. If they can get healthy, they’ll hang with anyone. As for the final spot, give it to Texas. The Longhorns have one loss on the year, but beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and have dominated ever since. Alabama and Georgia are the next two out.
David McDonald, reporter: Ok, the easy work: Michigan and Washington are both in, and Georgia is out. That leaves two spots for Texas, Alabama and Florida State. The best quality win out of those three belongs to Alabama, along with the SEC title. That leaves the question of which matters more – having a road win over the SEC champions and a Big 12 title of their own, or being the unbeaten champs of the ACC. I expect Florida State and Georgia to be the first two out of the playoff.
Tony Patroske, photographer: Michigan and Washington, definitely in. Florida State, they did the impossible with all the adversity they faced and are still undefeated. Texas, they beat Alabama and have the better resume. The Crimson Tide and then Ohio Stare are the first two out.
