Category: NCAA College Football

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail……NOR COVID, NOR ELECTIONS, NOR whatever else the Big Man upstairs can throw at us…….

….. ZT and The Padre are excited to see College Football persevere through 2020 to give, both the athletes and the fans, some joy during this pandemic ( unless you are a Punk-12 supporter and then it just made you feel worse!). The 4 teams in the playoffs are the right choices. Forget Jimbo ( stupid name ) and the Aggies as they got crushed by Bama. Plus Jimbo Fisher is more irritating than poison ivy between your legs. ZT likes the moxie of the undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats but they are much like the difference between eating a cheeseburger at Krystal’s or Shake Shack……both are cheeseburgers but just not the same. From there you have Indiana ( ZT likes them but ZT also likes Tater Tots ), Oklahoma ( OK- {no pun intended} so they beat up on UF when the Gators had 17 members of the band playing after opt outs ) or Coastal Carolina, who lost to the Liberty Pool Boys. So….get over it as the Final 4 is the correct Final 4. No reason to spend time on the “other games” unless you are a gambler. Just take the Over and see where you are on January 11….

ZT had a great Christmas and was very fortunate the family had receipts for all the gifts they purchased. Just got finished returning the Waffle House Hash Brown Scented Candles and the 6 goldfish ( family totally misunderstood when he said “would love to have some good fish for Christmas” ). Ready to give you some prognostications for the CFP……

#4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #1 BAMA

ND has a 6-2 lifetime record vs. Bama but the Tide did pick up a Championship at the last meeting in Miami! ZT was at The Clevelander and can confirm it was a WIN! Irish had a tough game in the ACC final against Clemson but don’t underestimate what QB Ian Book can make happen. Over 2,600 yards and 15 TDs with only 2 INTs this year?….SOLID. More importantly is the ND O-Line. They have only allowed 23 sacks ( in 11 games! ) with 3 1st-team and 1 2nd-team All-ACC players up front. They also made holes for RB Kyren “gonna make millions” Williams to gain over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs. Bama D is not of the “shut you down” variety and the Gators showed that in the SEC Championship. ZT notes they are vulnerable to the big play, particularly 3rd and longs! One thing that helps the Bama D? The Bama Offense! When they start scoring, they cause opposing OC’s to get out of their plan and try to do things they can’t. Kinda like a 300 lb. Sumo wrestler thinking he can also be good on the uneven parallel bars. Tide Offense averages over 49 points per game and you know the primary weapons with QB Mac Jones, RB Najee Harris, and WR DeVonta Smith ( 3 of Top 5 in Heisman voting) but the O-Line is one of Bama’s best assets. They give Jones time to cook a steak while waiting for an open receiver but still make enough holes for RB’s Harris and Robinson. Tough to lose Center Dickerson to injury in the UF game. Can’t really replace him but got a couple of guys who will have to step up. ZT believes Bama Offense too much for the Irish but closer than the boys in Vegas think. BAMA 42 Popes Punks 31

#3 THE Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #2 Clemson Tigers

Buckeyes have not forgotten the Fiesta Bowl when they were victims of a Clemson comeback. OSU had the craziest year with Covid of any of the 4 playoff teams but ZT does believe they are worthy of being in the big dance! Add in they have not beaten Clemson in 4 attempts ( 2 CFP matchups ) starting with the infamous Woody Hayes punch in ’78 but ZT loves a coach with passion and HC Ryan Day has plenty of it too!

QB Justin Fields is solid and indicates his Big10 Championship thumb injury is not an issue. He had over 1,500 yards and 15 TDs in an ULTRA short season. He can run when needed. Ground game is good with RBs Trey Sermon and Master Teague ( ZT just loves that name ). They will need to be balanced but running is never easy against a Brent Venables coached Defense. Clemson’s 6th year in the playoffs…….Dabo LOVES not being the #1 seed! He has a knack of getting the team to feed off of this ( ZT knows this came from him being on the ’92 Bama team that beat The U in New Orleans for a National Championship when NO ONE gave them a chance ). Clemson Offense will be just fine with QB Trevor Lawrence and gang. Look for Lawrence to work the OSU secondary and let RB Etienne run and catch out of the backfield. ZT concerned Clemson OC Tony “I got a big lariat” Elliot will miss due to Covid but Dabo is offensive-minded and will be just fine. Better game than expected and would not be surprised if Buckeyes lead at the half. But in the end…. Dabocatos 38 Buckeyes 31

ZT is off to Captain D’s to get some of that fish he wanted for Christmas with the gift refund money while The Padre is leading a group to march around the Gators Athletic Facility, Jericho-style, in hopes the walls will collapse on DC Todd Grantham…… Back next week to prognosticate the National Championship.

Need proof 2021 will be better than 2020? Neither Gary Danielson nor Brian Griese will be on your TV or Radio on January 1st!!!