2016 Death to the BCS Playoffs: Semifinals

Happy New Year! It's time to get 2017 started right: with another round of the Death to the BCS Playoffs.

The first round a couple weeks ago saw a couple upsets, including a second straight 14-3 upset. Last week, however, was all chalk. That first round upset does mean we don't have a 2-3 game this week, but all four home teams last week took care of business, one in a double overtime thriller.

With these games falling on a Saturday, I was able to set these up as one afternoon game and one evening game. They shouldn't conflict with each other unless the early game goes to overtime... which we can't entirely rule out. But we have a pair of good matchups with a trip to Pasadena for the national championship game on the line.

So to determine who will meet virtually at the Rose Bowl, I am simulating both semifinal matchups as a best of three, with the "clinching" game serving as the official result. Home field advantage goes to our top two seeds, with actual weather from those cities at game time taken into account. Depth chart information for each team will be taken from Don Best's handicapping website. All simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. Let's get to it!

3pm Game

(6) Oklahoma @ (2) Ohio State
Game 1: OSU 64, OU 45
Game 2: OU 45, OSU 37
Game 3: OSU 34, OU 24

Photo by Aaron Doster (USA TODAY Sports)

Apparently Ohio State showed up in cyberspace rather than reality. Oklahoma had something to say about that early, getting things going through the air with a 32 yard Dede Westbrook catch and run eventually setting up a 23 yard touchdown pass to Joe Mixon to get the Sooners the early lead. Ohio State answered with a solid drive, but Tyler Durbin missed a 38 yard field goal. Fortunately for him, the Buckeye defense forced a three and out and this time converted on offense, as Mike Weber punched one in from nine yards out to tie the game. Ohio State forced another punt, and got going on offense again, with Weber taking a sweep 20 yards to the house to make it 14-7 Buckeyes. Oklahoma finally got going again late in the half as another long pass to Westbrook eventually set up the Sooners in scoring range. After a sack forced third and 14, Baker Mayfield was able to find Mark Andrews for a 20 yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14 right before intermission. The Buckeyes had to start the second half deep in their own territory, but marched 89 yards in just over four minutes, with Weber punching another one in from a yard out, though Durbin missed the extra point. Oklahoma got a 37 yard Samaje Perine run to set themselves up in scoring range, but they had to settle for three points after stalling on the next series. Oklahoma punted on their next drive from the Buckeye 38 and allowed the return to go to the 42, but they forced a three and out, though a Joe Mixon 65 yard scamper on the ensuing drive was for naught with an Austin Seibert miss from 38 yards out. The teams traded punts until midway through the fourth quarter, when Malik Hooker picked off Baker Mayfield, returned it to the Sooner 17, and Ohio State scored three plays later thanks to Weber again. Oklahoma responded quickly, going 74 yards in just over two minutes and capping their drive with a 28 yard strike to Dede Westbrook to make it 27-24 Ohio State. In an attempt to run out the clock, the Buckeyes got their dagger as Curtis Samuel broke free for a 50 yard touchdown run to seal the deal. Oklahoma got into Ohio State territory in the final minute, but Mike Andrews fumbled and the Buckeyes recovered to punch their ticket to Pasadena.

Mike Weber led the Buckeyes with 20 carries for 132 yards and I believe a Death to the BCS Playoffs-record four touchdowns, Curtis Samuel added 11 carries for 76 yards and that 50 yard touchdown, and J.T. Barrett had a good double threat day with 118 yards on 10 of 16 passing and 26 carries for 90 yards. Davon Hamilton and Dante Booker each recorded sacks for Ohio State. Baker Mayfield completed 21 of 31 passes for 281 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception for the Sooners, Samaje Perine had 15 carries for 85 yards, Joe Mixon had a great double threat day with 109 yards rushing on nine carries and four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, and Dede Westbrook went out with six catches for 116 yards and a score.

6pm Game

(4) Washington @ (1) Alabama
Game 1: ALA 30, WAS 13
Game 2: ALA 38, WAS 23

Photographer uncredited (Photo from TheScore.com)

This was was a little more competitive than the Peach Bowl, but the result is the same. Things did start nearly disastrously for Alabama, as Jalen Hurts was picked off in the red zone, but the Tide forced a three and out, and Hurts went right back to work, hitting Calvin Ridley for a 47 yard gain to set up a ten yard touchdown to Gehrig Dieter to give Alabama a 7-0 lead. Washington got on the board two drives later with a field goal to make it 7-3, then picked off Hurts again, this time in Alabama territory. Washington would get first and goal at the one, but failed to punch it in, a penalty knocked them back, and they had to settle for another field goal to make it 7-6. The Huskies' defense continued its takeaway party, as Damien Harris got stripped after a catch at his own 41, and Washington recovered, though they again stalled in the red zone and had to settle for another field goal. Alabama tried to respond quickly, getting a long kick return to get into scoring range, but Hurts was picked in the end zone. Washington was unable to take advantage, as they marched into Alabama territory, but then Jake Browning threw a pick, and Alabama marched 75 yards in nine plays, capped off by a two yard touchdown plunge by Bo Scarbrough. Washington only had about a minute and a half to repsond, but Lavon Coleman broke free for a 51 yard run to flip the field, and Browning hit Dante Pettis from nine yards out with 30 seconds left in the half to retake the lead. Alabama was able to get a late penalty to get a makeable field goal, but Adam Griffith missed from 49 yards out and Washington held onto a 16-14 halftime lead. Washington carried momentum briefly into the third quarter, as Browning hit Chico McClatcher for a 50 yard pickup, but Browning fumbled on a scramble and the Tide recovered. Fortuantely the Huskies forced a punt, and they were able to make it work as Myles Gaskin finally broke free for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 23-14 Washington. Alabama added fuel to the fire despite getting into Washington territory as Hurts was picked off again, but just two plays later Gaskin fumbled, the Tide recovered, and six plays later Damien Harris broke free for a 12 yard touchdown run to make it a two point game again. Browning continued to be sloppy on the next drive, overthrowing McClatcher one play before uncorking another interception. Alabama methodically marched downfield, and Hurts finally got a great play, scrambling for a six yard touchdown to give the Crimson Tide its first lead since the second quarter. The Huskies got across midfield on the next drive, but then stalled big time, punted, and Alabama marched 62 yards in eight plays capped by a Joshua Jacobs one yard plunge to make it 35-23. Washington again got into Alabama territory, but McClatcher fumbled a catch at the 29 to end the threat. The Tide would add a late field goal for the final margin sandwiched between a pair of Washington turnover on downs, and the Tide earned a return trip to the title game.

Jalen Hurts was pretty bad, going 16 of 31 for 242 yards and a touchdown but threw four interceptions, though he did rush for a touchdown. Damien Harris picked up 76 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs also each ran for a score, Calvin Ridley caught five passes for 88 yards, ArDarius Stewart added five for 87, and Reuben Foster notched two sacks for the Crimson Tide. Jake Browning struggled a bit for the Huskies but did finish with 252 yards passes on 21 of 39 attempts with a touchdown and two picks, while also losing a fumble. Myles Gaskin ran 26 times for 117 yards and a touchdown, but also lost a fumble, and Chico McClatcher caught six balls for 128 yards, and also lost a fumble. Benning Potoa'e, Sidney Jones, Kevin King, and Taylor Rapp picked off passes for the Huskies.

To see the updated bracket, click here.

Photo by Rob Schumacher (azcentral sports)

As seems to happen every year with the Death to the BCS Playoffs, weird stuff happens compared to reality. Clemson, who got bounced two weeks ago in the Death to the BCS Playoffs, is playing for the national title in reality, while Ohio State, who no-showed the Fiesta Bowl last night, is moving on on Confessions of a Sportscaster. I don't get it, I don't think the simulator gets it, and you probably don't get it.

But it is the reality of the Death to the BCS Playoffs. On January 9th in virtual Pasadena, Alabama and Ohio State will meet to play for the Death to the BCS Championship Game, and I hope you will join us for the action!