Who misses the BCS?

After the College Football Playoff’s inaugural semifinal round, I would venture to say not many fans do.

With two games featuring four of the biggest brands in college football, fans were treated to an exciting New Year’s Day slate of matchups that came through in providing the high excitement level everyone anticipated.

As we look back over the inaugural CFP — how we got here and the semifinal round — here’s what met our expectations and what surprised us.

Expectations Met

  • Interest would be unmatched: Following the games, ESPN released information that the two CFP semifinal games received a 15.5 and 15.3 overnight TV rating, respectively. Those ratings meant the CFP semifinal games were the most-watched New Year’s Day games ever on ESPN and they even surpassed last year’s BCS Championship ratings.
  • Thrilling end: With four great teams facing off against one another, fans fully expected some classic endings in the semifinal games. While Oregon-FSU turned into a blowout in the latter half of the game, Alabama-Ohio State didn’t disappoint with the game coming down to the final play. Of course, it’s the team that won that may have been the most shocking aspect of the final semifinal game.
  • Big plays make the difference: In any high-stakes games like these, big plays both on offense and defense usually are the difference makers between a win and a loss. In both matchups, big plays had a significant role in determining the outcome. Oregon took advantage of Florida State miscues in the second half and even took a fumble return back for a crucial touchdown. In Alabama-Ohio State, the Buckeyes reeled off three scoring plays of 40 yards or more in the second half, including a pick-six and an 85-yard rushing touchdown to make it a double-digit lead late in the fourth quarter.

What surprised us

  • Ohio State moving on to the national championship: Outside of Columbus, Ohio, I’m not sure many expected the Buckeyes to take down the Crimson Tide. Sure, Alabama isn’t as elite as it was over the past few seasons, but could a third-string QB roll over Alabama? No way. But it happened. The Buckeyes impressively put up 42 points on Alabama, en route to a 42-35 victory and a berth in the national championship.
  • Did the CFP get the four best teams in?: The whole point of the playoff was to eliminate the constant debate that came with the BCS debate of if the best teams got in to the championship. Even with the field expanded to four teams, there’s still much debate over where the four best teams got into the CFP, especially with TCU’s 42-3 drubbing of Ole Miss. Ohio State certainly helped its case with its win over Alabama, but there aren’t many people out there who dont’ consider TCU to be one of the four best teams in the country and more than deserving of a spot in the inaugural CFP.
  • Where’s the defense?: To be an elite team in college football, you must have a great defense, but you wouldn’t know it by watching the semifinal games. Between the two matchups, a total of 156 points were scored. Even Alabama couldn’t accomplish much on defense against a third-string quarterback. If the semifinal round was of any indication, the national championship will be an offensive shootout to say the least between Oregon and Ohio State.