It's the most wonderful time of the year, and it all ends with the National Championship in Tampa on Monday night. Here is the 2016 College Football Season in review in mostly chronological order.
1. Nebraska's Tribute To Their Fallen Punter
The Nebraska Huskers had a rough start to their season. They lost their punter, Sam Foltz in a car accident on July 23rd. The first time the Huskers got into punt formation, they paid a touching tribute. Lining up on the field, one man short. They took the delay of game penalty, but Fresno State declined it. It was a very classy way to honor a fallen team member.
2. Alabama Starting A True Freshman Quarterback
At the beginning if the year, everyone was Expecting Alabama's QB to be Blake Barnett. And he did start during the game versus USC during week 1. But after a few blunders from Barnett, Coach Saban decided to try out his true freshman of the field. Alabama came out of Dallas with a 56-6 win, and has won every game since. When you see Jalen you see composure; nothing about him would tip you off that he's a freshman. He plays like a seasoned veteran. If he and the team manage a win in Tampa, Jalen will become the second freshman qb to lead his team to a national championship, joining Oklahoma's Jamelle Holieway.
3. Alabama Came From Behind To Beat Ole Miss
Alabama overcame a 21 point deficit- the largest in the Saban era- to get a W on the road in Oxford back in September. It was Alabama's three non-offensive touchdowns that helped Alabama come out on top. It was a great game to watch if you didn't have a team in the game, and it was so good to see Alabama get that W after two straight years of losing to Ole Miss.
4. LSU Fired Les Miles
Going into the Auburn/ LSU game, both head coaches were on the hot seat. Miles had narrowly avoided being fired during the 2015 season. Whoever won that game was more than likely safe. It was a wild game, decided in the last second. LSU had a 2-2 record at that point. Les Miles was the last SEC coach left from the pre-Saban era. Seeing him go, and having Ed Orgeron step in as interim--eventually becoming head coach is still a bit surreal to me. He was a great coach, despite some of his crazy antics. You will be missed Mad Hatter.
5. The Ohio State VS. Michigan Game
A lot was riding on "The Game". Ohio State was ranked #2, and Michigan was ranked #3. Playoffs were on the line, and whoever lost would be out of the rankings. Michigan had a lot of chances to win, and so did Ohio State. Michigan had a 0% success rate, so the game really turned in favor for the Buckeyes at that point. The Buckeyes won, in double overtime.
6. Only 2 Teams Finished The Regular Season Undefeated
At the end of the regular season, there were only two undefeated teams left across the country. Western Michigan and Alabama.
7. Verne Called His Last SEC Game
The SEC Championship was Verne Lundquist's last game. As much as I, and every other Alabama fan love to complain, next season will be weird without him announcing. Many SEC teams said goodbye to "Uncle Verne" in a variety of ways and with a variety of memorabilia.
8. Alabama's SEC Championship 3-peat
During the first SEC Championship back in 1992, Alabama played Florida. During the 25th SEC Championship, Alabama played Florida. The Conference hasn't seen a 3-peat since Steve Spurrier's Fun 'n Gun Days at Florida during the mid '90s.
9. SEC Didn't Have A Finalist In Heisman Race
The SEC wasn't its usual dominant self. The SEC didn't have a Heisman finalist this year. The conference has won 5 of the last 10 Heismans. It's crazy to think about.
10. Army Beat Navy
Army beat Navy for the first time in 14 years.
11. SEC Wasn't Dominant Conference This Year- Big 10 east, ACC
Many said that the SEC wasn't the dominant conference this year. They would be right. Many people said that either the Big 10 (east) or ACC was the best conference this season.
12. Michigan State Fell off The Face Of The Earth
Last year, Michigan State played Alabama in the semifinal. This year, they finished 3-9. It seems crazy that their program experienced that big of a change from one season to the next. I guess there's always next year?
13. Ohio State, Penn State Out
Many people were upset about Ohio State getting into the playoffs over Penn State. Ohio State wasn't a division champion, nor a conference champion, as the other three teams in the playoffs were. However Penn State did win their division, and their conference. Honestly, we may never get to the bottom of what made the Selection Committee pick the Buckeyes. But the Buckeyes proved unworthy of the playoffs ended when Clemson shut them out during the semi final New Year's Eve.
14. Lane Kiffin Leaving For FAU A Week Before National Championship
Lane Kiffin is a head coach again. He's off to Boca Raton, Florida to be Florida Atlantic's HC. He has done well as Alabama's OC for the past three years. He promised he would stay through the playoffs, but after his questionable play-calling during the Semi Final game against Washington, along with other factors, Saban decided to let him go a week before the National Championship in Tampa. Good Luck Lane, maybe you won't get left behind by any busses at FAU.
15. Auburn's Losses Are Actually Impressive
Auburn's losses were impressive. No, really. Hear me out: Auburn lost 5 games this year. Auburn lost to three conference champions this year (Alabama, Clemson, and Oklahoma). Two of those teams went on to be in the Playoffs (Alabama and Clemson.) Honestly, that's nothing to hang your head about.
16. National Championship Rematch
By giving us two teams we've seen before, college football is about to give us something we've never seen before. Second chances are rare. The tables have turned. Last year, Clemson came to the Championship game ranked #1 and undefeated. This year, Alabama matches that description. Last year, Alabama shut out Michigan State in the semi final. This year, Clemson shut out Ohio State in the semi final. This is about to be an amazing national championship game.
