Clemson 37–Oklahoma 17, Alabama 38–Michigan State 0
After week upon week wondering if the committee would penalize OU for belonging to the Big 12 Conference–OU let everyone involved down by getting shut out 21-zip in the second half before eventually losing 37-17 in the first national semi-final game of New Year’s Eve.
OU led 17-16 going into intermission, but it was all Clemson in the game’s final thirty minutes.
Clemson was clearly the superior team. Smarter, tougher, more resilient, better QB play, and more physical. Circle the lack of OU’s physicality on both sides of the ball. This was a simple game to break down. Clemson rushed for 312 yards, OU 67.
OU became one dimensional after their first drive of the game in which Perine had his only real success running the ball. Ironically, OU’s rebirth since the Texas loss had been attributed to running the ball with Perrine and Joe Mixon. Neither back finished the game.
But the players across the line of scrimmage from OU today weren’t wearing Kansas, Texas Tech, or O State jerseys. Clemson has a front seven who’ll hit someone in the mouth — which they did repeatedly to the Sooners.
Considering Baker Mayfield had little help–I thought he actually played decent only forcing the two picks when OU’s situation became more desperate as time began running out on OU’s dream of playing for an eighth national championship.
Deshaun Watson was excellent except for the late first half pick in the end zone by Zack Sanchez. Otherwise–he basically owned OU with his mind, feet, and arm in three equal parts. Plus, his offensive line gave him space and time throughout the game to exhibit his feel for the game. Not saying I think it’ll be the same for Watson against Alabama, but I was impressed. Nice player.
In all candor, this game reminded me of the Texas game where OU was blown away physically on both line of scrimmages and could never corral Hurd on the corner.
OU finishes 11-2 and did more than I thought they would after the loss to Texas in October. But still– after watching both national semi-final games–OU has a lot of work in front of them if they want to return to the highest level of national relevance by bringing that eighth national championship trophy back to Norman.
I’d go Alabama -8.5 in the national championship game. Hope it’s a good game, because both of the national semi-final games in a word …sucked and were close to unwatchable in the second halves. You can only smile at Larry the Dr. Pepper Guy ads so many times.
Mike Jackson