Ohio State emphatically proves it belongs with 49-28 blowout of Clemson in Sugar Bowl playoff semifinal

Cleveland.com ^ | 1/2/2021 | Nathan Baird

[Hetuck]

"OSU played five less games. That’s a lot of wear and tare they didn’t incur like everyone else did."

It's a double-edged sword -- there is less wear and tear, but there is also less practice time and player development.

[ealgeone]

Didn't they still practice?

Granted, that's a bit different than game speed, but it's still practice.

[FamiliarFace]

No, they didn’t allow them to practice early on when everyone else was.

[Dacula]

You do realize that Justin Fields transferred out from UGA.

---

I am often happy to see players go to other teams where they can play instead of sitting. It was great to see Joe Burrow do so well at LSU.

[Hetuck]

My understanding is that the practice regimen was reduced (e.g., 11 on 11 drills) in the period before the Big Ten announced the return of football in the fall. In addition, the cancellation of some games due to COVID eliminated some practices and team meetings.

Whether it's practice or game experience, a number of championship-caliber teams have grown better in the second half of their seasons. Would this Ohio State team have been better after a more complete schedule? We'll never know.

[FamiliarFace]

Yes, I know that. Transfers work for lots of teams.

[sphinx]

I think the decision to let Ohio State play was correct. It wasn't their fault that Maryland, Illinois and Michigan all cancelled due to COVID. Those would almost certainly have been reasonably easy Ohio State wins. The Buckeyes were clearly the best team in the Big Ten this year. They beat Indiana by seven and Northwestern by 12; no one else was within two touchdowns. Forcing them to sit out the playoffs because of other teams' illness problems would have been a pretty bum thing to do.

Texas A&M, not Notre Dame, should have been the fourth playoff team.

[FamiliarFace]

In my mind, everything this year will have an asterisk by it. 2020 will never be an apples to apples comparison by any standard.

[FamiliarFace]

I completely agree with your assessment.

[EVO X]

Ohio State cancelled, not Illinois. They did Illinois a favor...

[FamiliarFace]

You’re right. I forgot that.

[hinckley buzzard]

You have no idea at all do you!

[dfwgator]

This season shouldn’t even count, whomever wins it it should come with an asterisk.

[dfwgator]

Not an OSU fan but it is always enjoyable to see the smug SEC get punched in the mouth as it doesn't happen very often.

[hinckley buzzard]

you don’t know the rule against targeting do you.

[Hetuck]

Well said!

[dfwgator]

Agree 100%, that goes for the Lakers, Dodgers, and whomever wins the Super Bowl, it’s a glorified exhibition season.

[hinckley buzzard]

It wasn’t as close as the score indicates. Alabama will be a great test. Beating a second rate ND team didn’t show much, but they will be favored again.

[hinckley buzzard]

A&M would have been a real game with Alabama. As usual ND bought their way in and suffered their usual humiliation on national tv.

[ridesthemiles]

When I grew up-—New year’s Day== Rose Parade-—

Followed by Cotton Bowl—Sugar Bowl——Rose Bowl & Orange Bowl...Not in that order, I am sure.

EVERY single game was on free channels on our black & white TV.....

NOW-—ESPN/ABC/Disney has chosen to steal those bowl games from the American public. NOT everyone has Pay TV-—especially since so many persons are out of work.

May they rot in a future hell.