Welcome to the post-championship week edition of Under the Fedora. It’s gonna be a long three weeks, and I don’t want to think about what happens after Jan 1.
California Arizona Dreaming
Well, Championship Saturday came and went, and Chaos performed about as well as the Ohio State offense against Sparty. So, the Buckeyes will not have the opportunity to defend their Undisputed title in this year’s CFP, and I’m OK with that. It’s not the fault of the committee, or SEC bias, or the lack of an 8-team tournament, or any of the teams that didn’t pull off the upsets that everyone was hoping for. The Buckeyes have no one to blame but themselves. It was all right there in front of them and they didn’t get it done. I have no desire to re-rehash the Michigan State loss, and while conference loyalty has its limitations (Go Gators!), I have no reservations about rooting for Sparty in the CFP and Iowa in the Rose Bowl. As nice as it would’ve been to have another title shot, or even a trip to Pasadena, I can’t complain about a New Year’s Day matchup against the Domers in the Fiesta Bowl, though I would have preferred the opportunity to debunk the Myth of Stanford Football. Truth be told, I didn’t have a ton of confidence about this Ohio State’s chances in the playoffs. Had they made it in somehow, it just would have felt a lot like 2007 to me. I did not like the way that season ended.
Cleveland Steaming
The Browns Season of Despair continues to circle the drain. I’ve been through an awful lot of bad football from this team over the years, and this season might be the worst yet. Looking at another change of the guard in Berea, another overhaul of the front office, coaching staff, and roster, and another search for the Next Quarterback of The Future. Only Johnny can save us now. Or Santa. All I really want for Christmas is a competent football organization. Is that too much to ask?
A Star Sweetly Gleaming
Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the postseason depression, or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been desensitized by the constant Christmas music that the local radio stations have been playing since Labor Day, but I’m a bit lacking in the holiday spirit so far this Christmas season. It’s unusual, since Christmas is a particularly meaningful holiday for me (that make me unique, I know). At any rate feel free to note your favorite Christmas song or carol in the comments. Maybe seeing something other than “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” will help jump start my yuletide gaiety. Two of my favorites are “O Holy Night”, and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. Whatcha got, 11W?
TL;DR: Sparty, Go; Browns Woe; Ho, Ho, Ho.
