Disappointingly, the extended playoffs did not bring about more competitive games, as evidenced by lackluster semi-finals this past Saturday following a year of anticipation.The playoff semi-finals failed to provide the excitement expected for games in December. When compared to other seasons in recent football history, coaches did not play a significant role. However, there has been some improvement with nine out of 11 games being decided by a single score in the past few days.
In the semi-finals, No. 3 Notre Dame struggled against No. 2 Clemson, particularly in the final minutes of the first half due to injuries, a common challenge when facing formidable opponents.Meanwhile, No. 4 Oklahoma faced off against No. 1 Alabama and delivered a subpar performance, reminiscent of their BCS final appearance 14 years ago. Oklahoma took an early lead of 7-0 against USC but fell behind 38-10 by halftime, ultimately losing 55-19.It is clear that Alabama and Clemson, who started the season ranked No. 1 and No. 2, have lived up to expectations.
Alabama and Clemson are set to meet for the national championship for the third time in the past five years of the playoffs, maintaining their positions at the top. Looking ahead to the championship game on Monday, the Crimson Tide and the Tigers have won 11 of the last 12 playoff games, showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen before.In previous playoff seasons, the No. 4 team overcame both the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the semifinals and emerged victorious in the national championship match.
