Championships Abound

Not often you see three championship games in a week.  The big questions to be answered are: 1) Can Ohio State slow down Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks?  2) Can Seattle possibly play bettert than they did against Carolina?  3) Is it time for Andrew Luck to take over as the premier quarterback in the NFL?

Question 1 deals with the first College Football Playoff Championship Game.  Oregon dethroned the Seminoles rather unceremoniously, while Ohio State found a way to beat the SEC myth and Alabama.  The real question is: Can anybody stop the Ducks?

One big thing in Ohio State's favor is a coach that knows how to win a Championship.  Urban Meyer crafted a game plan that confounded the Tide but only has a week to do it.  Think there were a few calls made between Columbus and Tucson this week?

No one seems to be talking about Ohio State's offense, which is running just fine with a third string quarterback.   A third string quarterback who supposedly tweeted about classes being pointless since he was there to play football.  If Ohio State has a chance, it will be by running the football and keeping the Oregon offense off the field.  The offense can't score if they can't get the ball.

Oregon's defense is too good for that.  Granted that Florida State played like they were slain by the Holy Spirit, but Oregon plays great defense.  Oregon wins, unless Ohio State runs the ball for over 250 yards.  Not likely.

Side note- an unintended side effect of the College Football Playoff involves coaching.  A coach successful in college playoffs looks much more enticing to the NFL.  NFL coaches that are successful getting a team everywhere short of the Super Bowl might be successful in the College system, especially in the elite teams.

Seattle sure looks like a Super Bowl participant again.  Green Bay got the help Dallas got a week ago.   Seattle's defense must be licking it's chops facing an injured Aaron Rodgers.  Their secondary is a little better than Dallas'.  Seattle's pass rush is much better than Dallas', too.  I see Seattle winning easily.

Green Bay's hope is to run the ball and keep Russell Wilson and the Seahawk offense off the field.  Forcing about four turnovers is the other best Packer bet.  I don't see either one happening.  Take the Seahawks and give how many points are offered.

Indianapolis and New England is an intriguing match up.  Andrew Luck is coming of age.  Having defeated Peyton Manning in what I hope is his final game, he gets the chance to dispatch Tom Brady and take over as the elite quarterback of the AFC.  I suppose it had to happen sooner or later.

The Colts ran the ball with abandon against the Broncos, especially the eight minute drive in the fourth quarter without Trent Richardson, who cost the Colts a first round pick.  The Patriots seem ripe for an upset, even at home.  They escaped by stretching the rules and perseverence.  Probably won't happen twice.

The Patriots' best hope is to run the ball well and try to confuse Andrew Luck.  I feel it is Luck's turn.  Best chance for an upset is the Colts changing the guard.

So...am I off base?