College Football Gets It Right With Jameis Winston Vs. Marcus Mariota
By Erik Lambert
Things couldn’t have worked out much better for the first college football playoffs. Not only will it feature the two best quarterbacks of the 2015 NFL draft class in Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston facing each other. It will also showcase arguably the two best college coaches when Nick Saban and Alabama take on Urban Meyer and Ohio State.
Mariota Vs. Winston
What is there not to like about this matchup? So many subplots to it. The Heisman trophy winner Winston from last year taking on the Heisman favorite this year in Mariota. Two quarterbacks known for their dual-threat capability. One who is quiet, reserved and spotless off the field and the other who is vocal, animated and has a series of questionable issues regarding his maturity. Two powerhouse programs in FSU and Oregon who aren’t part of the mighty SEC. Loads of draft implications on the line for both players. Offensive fireworks expected. It doesn’t get much better.
Saban Vs. Meyer
Fighting for national championships is something Nick Saban and Urban Meyer know tons about. The two went at it for years down in the SEC when Saban was at LSU and then Alabama while Meyer coached Florida. Between 2003 and 2009 the two accounted for four national title victories. The two actually met in back-to-back SEC championships in 2008 and 2009 with the winner going on to win the BCS title. Now Meyer brings his Ohio State Buckeyes to the Superdome for an Orange Bowl reunion with Saban and the Crimson Tide. Can anybody else smell blood in the water?
Regardless of the arguments over the format, the college football world couldn’t have asked for a better slate of games.