Four thoughts on the College Football Playoff quarterfinals

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Does anyone know where the College Football Playoff quarterfinals and semifinals are actually played and why they're still called bowl games? Better yet, does anyone care?

The Cotton Bowl isn’t even played at the Cotton Bowl? The “bowl” era is gone, replaced by a tournament designed to maintain the names of the most well funded and connected. Indeed, four teams actually play in two bowl games every year. The other 36 exist only for traditions, pageantry, “rewarding” teams (yes, even 5-7 teams) with a 13th game and, of course, money. The best players opt out for fear of injury and many more for the transfer portal which didn’t even open until Jan. 2 when almost every bowl was already played. Without television money, most bowls would cease to exist.

Here's four thoughts on this week's CFP quarterfinals:

∎Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, home of the Orange Bowl, lacked all the hype of a bowl game but hosted the Texas Tech/Oregon CFP quarterfinal on Jan. 1. In arguably the most boring game I’ve ever witnessed, Oregon thoroughly handled Tech, 23-0. The game was over at halftime (Oregon led 6-0) as Tech finished with just nine first downs and four turnovers showcasing why the Big 12 should not be taken seriously in the CFP.

∎There’s a crisis brewing in Tuscaloosa as Alabama forgot to show up for its quarterfinal against Indiana at the Rose Bowl, losing, 38-3, on Jan. 1. The Tide and their fans don’t take losing easily but embarrassment just is not tolerated. That’s where they are after an uninspiring effort against the Hoosiers, reminiscent of their loss to Florida State (31-17) on opening weekend and have already turned against their coach Kalen DeBoer. Give IU credit – they’re playing great football and were worthy of the victory and their top ranking.

∎Miami’s 24-14 victory on New Year's Day over Ohio State gives credence that "the U" is really back. No doubt the Hurricanes have talent and “managed” the game after leading 14-0 at halftime. In the trenches, Miami matches up with anybody and is a real threat to win it all if the 'Canes continue to play error-free football. They play ball-control football and are the most physical team left. Too bad the face of the team is a guy who cheers on the sideline and played there four decades ago (Michael Irvin).

∎The Hurricanes will face Ole Miss, a 39-34 winner on a 47-yard field goal with six seconds left (to break a 34-34 tie) against Georgia on Jan. 1. The Rebels rode quarterback Trinidad Chambliss‘ escapability and right arm to an improbable victory. Both teams came back from double-digit deficits in the best CFP game played by far. How do you not feel good for everyone connected with Ole Miss football after the Lane Kiffin fiasco? Sometimes justice does prevail and before an incredible atmosphere and a classic game, the Rebels validated their reputation on the national stage. Both Ole Miss and Miami, for different reasons, are great stories. Knocking off Ohio State and Georgia were no easy tasks and one of them will now play for the national championship.

'Amateurs' in name only

Huge news out of another NCAA decision, this time on the basketball court. The NCAA has approved a plethora of players from European leagues and the G-League (NBA minor league) to enroll at various universities and are immediately eligible to compete as “amateurs." Huh? They all were paid as professionals so what is the NCAA doing? They’re running away from another court battle where their disastrous record speaks for itself, and because technically these players never exhausted their five years of “eligibility.” All are foreigners but with this decision, American players are next. Heck, I’ve got one year of eligibility left and can still shoot the three-pointer (which did not exist when I laced them up) with precision.

How does this ruling affect college football? Because it opens another door rather than closing one. The effect is ex-NFL players with eligibility remaining could, in theory, come back to to college and be paid through NIL. Wouldn’t that be a hoot. Actually my friend, it would be an unmitigated disaster. Tellingly, the NCAA needs serious help to establish consistency and clarity as to eligibility, NIL, the transfer portal, etc. asap because in its current form, there is enormous confusion and the point of no return is coming quickly. This huge responsibility to attempt to resolve the chaos that is college football and basketball is paramount and again, we’re here for immediate consultation. The NCAA has shown by its prior actions, they’re either over their head or just plain incompetent and require more creative, innovative and practical thinking. That thinking and ultimately the imposed regulations, must withstand the assault of future foreseeable lawsuits which impose restrictions on so-called student-athletes. The clock is ticking.

Quick turnaround for Whittingham

On Dec. 10, head coach Sherrone Moore was fired from Michigan. Two days later, Utah‘s 66-year-old head coach Kyle Whittingham, after over three decades at Utah, announced he was leaving because “the time was right.” Two weeks later, he’s hired as the new head coach at Michigan. A coincidence? Maybe but it looks more like a fait accompli! For what it’s worth, Whittingham is Michigan‘s best hire in decades. That’s right; I know they won the National Championship just two years ago but coach Jim Harbaugh was a proven cheater and left town. He may be a hero in Ann Arbor but his methods are questioned and criticized here. It’s called integrity, a lost element in the coaching fraternity.

Why the wait?

Oregon coach Dan Lanning publicly stated the season should end on Jan. 1. That’s been stated here ad nauseam for a decade. Why is there so much time between the end of the regular season (two days after Thanksgiving for most) and the CFP championship? There are anywhere from five to six weeks to play four games. There would be a quick buildup culminating in the championship game instead of the current long layoffs. He should know. Television dictates when games are played and in order to avoid conflict with the NFL, maximize exposure and obtain favorable TV ratings, the CFP is spread out over two months.

So his argument makes sense but there wouldn’t be as much money to throw around, so fahgeddabouddit!

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Four thoughts on the College Football Playoff quarterfinals

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