2018 Death to the BCS Playoffs: Fast Forward

I have no idea of the timing of the 2019 Death to the BCS Playoffs, as once again I'm at the mercy of my simulator. But while we're waiting and hoping for that to get started... let's go back in time.

I spent a ton of time waiting for the 2018 teams to pop up as well, and I don't know exactly when they came through, but at some point they did, so I can finally go back and simulate out that postseason.

Like I did last year, instead of doing one post for each round, I'm doing the whole postseason in one go. Higher seeds get home field advantage for the first three rounds, with the title game being played in Pasadena. I will go back and grab weather conditions at kickoff from each location for each game to try and make what would have happened as accurate as possible. With my usual handicapping website that I used for injury updates not helpful for a tournament from a year ago, I'm going to go with standard starting lineups for teams unless I see something on a box score from that team's bowl game from last year that leads me to believe there was an injury at play.

All simulations are provided by WhatIfSports.com. Let's crown a 2018 champion.

First Round

12pm Games

@ (1) Alabama 36, (16) Northern Illinois 7

Marcus Childers threw an interception on the opening possession after driving almost to midfield, and the Tide made the Huskies pay as Tua Tagovailoa picked their defense apart to set up a one yard Damien Harris touchdown run. Despite that, the Huskies stayed in it, marching downfield early in the second quarter and tied the game on a 13 yard strike from Childers to Spencer Tears. Bama would retake the lead later in the frame, using a 38 yard Tagovailoa to Devonta Smith pass to set up a 39 yard field goal, a lead that would hold into the break. Northern Illinois had a chance early in the second half to tie or take the lead, but turned it over on downs after a fourth and 15 in Bama territory, and the Tide responded with an eight play, 52 yard drive capped by a Joseph Bulovas 35 yard field goal. Bulovas would add one from 25 yards late in the frame to make it 16-7, and the ensuing drive looked promising for the Huskies with a long run. But Northern Illinois opted to punt from the Alabama 38, and were promptly punished as Harris broke free for a 68 yard touchdown that all but ended the contest. The Tide would tack on 13 more in garbage time for the final margin. Tagovailoa was ruthlessly efficient, completing 21 of 23 passes for 316 yards while Damien Harris ran 13 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Childers completed just 15 of 34 passes for 156 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, while running 21 times for just 17 yards to pace the Huskies.

@ (2) Clemson 37, (15) UAB 6

Photo by Gwinn Davis (The Post and Courier)

The Tigers seemed poised to get on the board early after somehow converting a third and 31, but Braden Galloway fumbled three plays later and the Blazers recovered. But UAB couldn't capitalize, going three and out, and 14 plays later Lyn-J Dixon punched it in from six yards out and the Tigers were off and running. They needed just seven plays to double the lead after forcing another three and out, this one on a ten yard Travis Etienne run. The Blazers would get on the board right before halftime as Nick Vogel hit from 48 yards as the first half expired. Vogel would bookend that with a 30 yarder on the first drive of the second half to make it 14-6, but Clemson answered on the ensuing possession, with Trevor Lawrence hitting Justyn Ross from 24 yards out to make it 21-6. UAB seemed poised to cut into the lead, getting a first and goal from the eight, but a Spencer Brown fumble gave the ball back to Clemson, and a B.T. Potter 23 yard field goal made it an 18 point game. Clemson added 13 more in the fourth quarter to hit the final total. Lawrence went 19-28 for 302 yards and a touchdown and Etienne rushed 20 times for 127 yards and a score to pace the Tigers. The Blazers got 122 yards on 12-20 passing by Tyler Johnston III, James Noble III ran for 65 yards, and Anthony Rush recorded two sacks.

3pm Games

@ (4) Georgia 35, (13) Northwestern 10

Photo by Rebecca Wright

Georgia got off to a roaring start, as Jake Fromm led a seven play, 72 yard drive to open the game capped by a 27 yard Elijah Holyfield touchdown run. After a nice punt return off of Northwestern, the Bulldogs went right back to work, with Holyfield grabbing a Fromm pass and taking it in from 13 yards out to make it 14-0. Northwestern couldn't capitalize on a pick of Fromm later in the frame, and the Bulldogs made them pay early in the second when Fromm found Isaac Nauta for a 42 yard touchdown. That 21-0 lead held up into halftime despite a late Georgia fumble. The Wildcats finally made some inroads in the second half, netting a 47 yard Drew Luckenbaugh field goal and intercepting Fromm again, but they couldn't capitalize, and late in the frame the Bulldogs put the game on ice with a 42 yard touchdown run by D'Andre Swift. Fromm completed 16 of 24 passes for 285 yards and two scores, but was picked twice, Swift ran 15 times for 81 yards and added two catches for 31 yards, and Holyfield logged 78 yards from scrimmage with one rushing and one receiveing touchdown. The Wildcats had three takeaways, but couldn't take advantage of them, with Clayton Thorson completing 19 of 39 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown, and Jeremy Larkin leading the rushing attack with 65 yards for Northwestern.

@ (3) Notre Dame 40, (14) Appalachian State 9

Photo by Robert Franklin (South Bend Tribune)

The Irish looked to be in trouble early as Ian Book was picked off on the third play of the game in his own territory. But the Irish defense held up, only allowing a 36 yard Chandler Staton field goal. Book and company redeemed themselves on the ensuing drive, marching 63 yards in 10 plays capped by an eight yard touchdown run by Dexter Williams. The Mountaineers marched 60 yards in eight plays and got another Staton field goal to pull back within one. Dexter Williams got the Irish back in striking distance late in the first with a 72 yard run, and Jonathan Doerer hit a 30 yard field goal to push the lead back to four. The Irish defense got a takeaway midway through the second, and Book converted, hitting Trevor Boykin for a 21 yard touchdown and a 17-6 lead. An Appalachian State fumble on the ensuing drive led to another Doerer field goal, and Staton hit one more in response at the halftime buzzer to make it 20-9 Notre Dame at the break. Doerer hit a short field goal early in the third to make it a 14 point game, and after Staton missed a 49 yard field goal, the Irish poured on the gas as Williams broke free for a 54 yard touchdown. Williams would add a third late in the fourth to help propel the game to the final margin. He finished with a monstrous 284 yards rushing on 26 carries, plus a catch for six yards, and three rushing touchdowns to pace the Irish. Ian Book completed just 10 of 19 passes for 167 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and added 40 yards rushing on 20 carries. Marcus Williams, Jr. paced the Mountaineer attack with 118 yards on 14 carries, but Zac Thomas only completed 12 of his 29 passes for 79 yards with an interception.

6pm Games

@ (6) Michigan 47, (11) Boise State 23

Photo by Gregory Shamus (Getty Images)

Boise State seemed poised to really take advantage of their opportunity early in this one, as Kekoa Nawahine nadded Shea Patterson in the end zone for a safety, and with a short field thanks to a monster return on the free kick, Brett Rypien hit Akilian Butler from eight yards out three plays later, and the Broncos had a 9-0 lead. But the Wolverines got it right back, converting a third and 25 followed immediately by Chris Evans breaking a 57 yard touchdown run. The Wolverines won the field position battle, and took the lead early in the second when Patterson hit Grant Perry from four yards out, then after a Boise State turnover on downs in Michigan territory, Patterson found Nico Collins for a 15 yard strike to cap a ten play, 68 yard drive. The Broncos would get those points back before the half on a 40 yard Alexander Mattison touchdown run, but it all fell apart in the second half as Rypien was picked off by Jordan Glasgow, who returned it to the Bronco 10, and one play later Patterson hit Zach Gentry to put the Wolverines back up 12. The Broncos missed a field goal, Michigan hit one, and the Wolverines put the game away late in the third with an Ambry Thomas pick-six. Rypien finished 24 of 40 for 283 yards and a touchdown, but three costly interceptions for the Broncos, while Mattison ran 25 times for 102 yards and a touchdown and added four catches for 62 yards. Patterson was efficient for Michigan, completing 22 of 30 for 239 yards and three scores, while Chris Evans ran 13 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.

(9) Washington 51, @ (8) UCF 26

Photo by Dean Rutz (The Seattle Times)

Our first upset of the tournament was not close. With McKenzie Milton hurt (yet somehow able to play in this game despite my taking him out of the lineup), Darriel Mack, Jr. was pressed into duty once again, but led two three and outs on their first two possessions following Washington getting on the board, first on a 53 yard touchdown pass from Jake Browning to Ty Jones, followed by Myles Gaskin getting a 49 yard run to set up his two yard scoring plunge. Gaskin would get another touchdown before the end of the quarter from three yards out, poaching a score from Salvon Ahmed, who broke a 62 yarder the play before. The Huskies added a field goal to start the second quarter to make it 24-0, then the Knights started to make a comeback, logging a safety when Aaron Cochran sacked Browning and, after trading turnovers, Mack found Gabriel Davis for a 15 yard touchdown. A UCF field goal late in the half made it 24-12, but midway through the third quarter the Huskies marched 92 yards in a dozen plays with Browning hitting Aaron Fuller for a 15 yard touchdown. The Knights answered right back with Mack hitting Tre Nixon for a 25 yard score, and the Knights made it a one score game following a Browning pick late in the third with a seven yard strike from Quadry Jones to Michael Colubaile. But the Huskies pushed the lead again late in the frame with Browning found Gaskin for a four yard touchdown, and Gaskin later delivered the dagger with a 37 yard run. Gaskin had a monster outing, running for 178 yards and three scores, while adding three catches for nine yards and a fourth touchdown. Browning finished 20-33 for 291 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions for the Huskies. Darriel Mack, Jr. struggled in this one, completing just nine of 20 passes for 118 yards, but he did throw a pair of touchdowns,, while Quadry Jones completed all eight of his passes for 48 yards and a score; somehow McKenzie Milton dressed and threw five passes, all incomplete for the Knights despite my taking him off the depth chart. Greg McRae ran for 75 yards to pace the UCF attack.

9pm Games

@ (5) Oklahoma 24, (12) Fresno State 12

Photo by Matthew Emmons (USA TODAY Sports)

Playing without Marquise Brown due to his foot injury for the first round, the Sooners couldn't score on their opening drive, and Fresno State marched 63 yards in nine plays on their opening drive, with Marcus McMaryion hitting Jamire Jordan for a six yard touchdown, though Asa Fuller would have his extra point blocked. That allowed Oklahoma to grab the lead when they marched 72 yards on the ensuing drive capped by a five yard Kennedy Brooks plunge into the end zone. Late in the first, Kyler Murray found CeeDee Lamb for a 70 yard pickup, setting up a three yard strike to him early in the second for a 14-6 edge. The Bulldogs will pull within five later in the frame on a 31 yard field goal, but Murray led a 66 yard drive capped by another five yard Brooks dive, and it was 21-9 going into the break. The Sooners pushed the lead to 15 with an Austin Seibert 41 yard field goal on their first drive of the second half, and the Bulldogs couldn't muster much of a comeback, even failing to convert on a Murray interception midway through the third in the red zone. They would settle for a field goal to open the fourth, then in desperation mode in the fourth turned it over on downs twice. Murray finished the day 13-17 for 207 yards with a touchdown and a pick, adding 27 yards rushing on 12 carries, while Kennedy Brooks ran for 67 yards and two touchdowns and CeeDee Lamb caught four passes for 101 yards. Marcus McMaryion paced Fresno State with 248 yards on 24 of 39 passing with a touchdown and a pick, eight for 78 of those to KeeSean Johnson, while Ronnie Rivers ran 20 times for 94 yards.

@ (7) LSU 30, (10) Washington State 13

Photo by Bill Feig (The Advocate)

The Cougars got off to a slow start offensively, allowing the Tigers to march downfield twice in the first quarter, the first time getting a 41 yard Cole Tracy field goal, and the second time capping a six play, 73 yard drive with a 43 yard Nick Brossette touchdown run and a 10-0 lead. The Cougars did enough to get a 44 yard Blake Mazza field goal to cut the lead to seven, but after Gardner Minshew was picked in his own territory on their next drive, the Tigers only needed five plays for pay dirt, and Joe Burrow hit Stephen Sullivan for a 16 yard touchdown. Minshew and company did enough to get in range for another Mazza field goal, this one from 34 yards, but a late LSU field goal made it a two touchdown game at the break. The Cougars got a break in the third quarter, forcing a Justin Jefferson fumble and recovering it for a touchback, but went three and out, though they'd pull back within a touchdown early in the fourth when Minshew found Davontavean Martin from six yards out. But LSU pretty much put it away when Burrow hit Derrick Dillon for a 60 yard gain to set up a six yard Brossette touchdown run. The Cougars turned it over on downs just outside the red zone, and that was it. Burrow played well, completing 18 of 26 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown, while Brossette ran 23 times for 127 yards and two scores. The Tigers sacked Minshew five times. Minshew, for his part, threw 48 times, only completing 23 for 217 yards, a touchdown, and an interception and lost 25 yards on 12 carries. James Williams ran 16 times for 95 yards for the Cougars.

Quarterfinals

12pm Game

@ (2) Clemson 69, (7) LSU 13

Photo by Ken Ruinard (Greenville News)

The blowouts continue into the second round with a far worse one than anything from the opening set. Clemson needed just over two minutes to take the lead for good, with Lyn-J Dixon punching it in from 29 yards out. After a three and out, LSU almost stole the momentum by forcing a Travis Etienne fumble, but the hosts recovered, and Adam Choice took it in from 12 yards out on the very next play. Clemson got a great punt return on the next drive, and needed just three plays to make it 21-0 as Trevor Lawrence found Braden Galloway for a two yard strike. The game went pretty much out of reach early in the second quarter when Etienne broke a 93 yard touchdown run to make it 28-0. LSU would avoid the shutout with a field goal on the ensuing drive, but it was a 35-3 game going into the break when Lawrence hit Amari Rodgers from 12 yards out on the very next possession. The second half was the Travis Etienne Show, as he scored three more times to put the game out of reach. He finished with an eye-popping 328 yards on just 18 carries with four scores plus two catches for 30 more yards, Lyn-J Dixon added 55 yards and a score on the ground plus a 43 yard catch, and Adam Choice scored twice on the ground. Trevor Lawrence, for his part, completed 18 of 29 passes for 269 yards and two scores. Joe Burrow paced LSU with 301 yards on 24 of 43 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Stephen Sullivan caught five of those passes for 90 yards and the lone visitor touchdown.

3pm Game

@ (3) Notre Dame 25, (6) Michigan 19

Photo by Michael Caterina (South Bend Tribune)

This thriller was a nightmarish start for the Irish. After going three and out to open the game, Shea Patterson tore apart the Notre Dame secondary to get into field goal range, and Jake Moody hit from 33 yards for a 3-0 lead. The Irish lost a fumble on the ensuing possession, leading to a 24 yard Moody kick, then after fumbling the ensuing kickoff return, Moody hit from 39 for a 9-0 lead. The Irish finally hung onto the ball on the next drive, getting a 38 yard Jonathan Doerer field goal to cut it to a one possession game. The momentum turned in the second, as after a punt ended the first with Notre Dame in great field position, the Irish needed just four plays to grab a one point lead with Jafar Armstrong scoring from three yards out. A Michigan fumble gave the Irish the ball back in Wolverine territory, and 13 plays later Dexter Williams converted a fourth and goal at the one, though a missed extra point made it a 16-9 ballgame at the break, with Moody hitting an upright on a field goal late in the half. The Wolverines opened the second half with another field goal, but found themselves behind the eight ball when Dexter Williams broke free for a 61 yard touchdown, though they missed the extra point again. Doerer added a 35 yard field goal late in the frame to make it a 13 point game. Michigan got it back to a one possession game with about four and a half minutes to play when Christian Turner scored from a yard out, and the defense got a stop to give Shea Patterson the ball back with just under two minutes to go. But the Wolverines stalled in Notre Dame territory, turning it over on downs, and the Irish were able to kneel out the clock to advance to the semis. Williams followed up his monster first round game with 130 rushing yards and two scores, Jafar Armstrong added 57 yards rushing with a touchdown, and Ian Book did just enough, completing 12 of 20 passes for 140 yards. Patterson completed 21 of 36 for the Wolverines for 246 yards, Chris Evans and Tru Wilson combined for 100 yards rushing, and Grant Perry caught five passes for 73 yards.

6pm Game

@ (4) Georgia 52, (5) Oklahoma 45

Photo by Kevin C. Cox (Getty Images)

We got the classic I figured this matchup would be, and my decision to seed Georgia over Oklahoma seems justified, but it came right down to the end. The Sooners got on the board first with a 79 yard Kennedy Brooks touchdown run and added a 31 yard Austin Seibert field goal to make it 10-0 midway through the first. Georgia's offense finally woke up from there, with Jake Fromm hitting Jeremiah Holloman for an 18 yard touchdown, then Elijah Hoyfield added a 13 yard rushing touchdown early in the second for the lead. They'd get a 40 yard Rodrigo Blankenship field goal to push the lead to seven, but the Sooners responded, with Kyler Murray hitting CeeDee Lamb for a 17 yard touchdown that tied the game midway through the second quarter. The third quarter was lower scoring, with a pair of Blankenship field goals sandwiching a Kyler Murray to Lee Morris touchdown that gave the Sooners a 24-23 lead going into the final 15 minutes. The fourth was nuts, with James Cook punching it in from 12 yards out, adding a two point conversion to make it 31-24 Georgia. Oklahoma surged back in front with a pair of touchdowns bookending a three and out; the first came on a 23 yard Kennedy Brooks touchdown run, and the second came on a 73 yard Trey Sermon scamper. But Georgia got a big play to answer right back as Brian Herrien broke a 57 yard run to re-tie the game at 38. Oklahoma turned it over on downs in Bulldog territory on the ensuing drive, and Georgia made them pay, with a 61 yard D'Andre Swift run setting up a 10 yard Elijah Holyfield go-ahead touchdown. Oklahoma answered once again, converting a fourth and ten with a 36 yard touchdown strike from Kyler Murray to Lee Morris with just 41 seconds left. But Georgia, with seemingly no urgency, had Jake Fromm hand off to Swift on their first play... only Swift broke free for a go-ahead 67 yard touchdown with 21 ticks left. Murray only got two shots at the end zone from his 45, and underthrew Marquise Brown with the clock at all zero's, allowing Georgia to escape with a win. Fromm only threw the ball 17 times, but completed 13 of them for 239 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs got 237 yards on 18 carries from D'Andre Swift, plus a catch for 42 yards, and a touchdown, while Holyfield ran 16 times for 86 yards and two scores. Fighting that foot injury, Marquise Brown came back for the second round, putting up 85 yards on five catches for the Sooners, while Kennedy Brooks did a ton of damage, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Kyler Murray put up 281 yards and three touchdowns on 20-28 passing.

9pm Game

(9) Washington 33, @ (1) Alabama 26

Photo by Streeter Lecka (Getty Images)

It's a shocker in Tuscaloosa! Maybe the signs were there early, as Nick Saban opted to punt on the opening drive... on fourth and one from the Husky 38. Washington answered with a 49 yard Peyton Henry field goal to take the early lead. Alabama would punt again in Washington territory on their next drive, albeit this time needing 14 yards from the 40. The Huskies answered again, netting another field goal to open the second quarter, this one from 34 yards. Finally the Tide offense got going, taking advantage of a personal foul penalty to help with an 87 yard march that took 11 plays, culminating in a six yard strike from Tua Tagovailoa to Irv Smith, Jr, the extra point giving the Tide a 7-6 lead. Despite a Tagovailoa interception, the Tide kept it going, using a 53 yard screen pass to Damien Harris to help set up a five yard touchdown pass to Devonta Smith, though a missed extra point kept it a seven point game. Washington would come back down to tie the game, needing just seven plays to do so, including a 49 yard catch and run by Myles Gaskin, capped by a five yard strike from Jake Browning to Ty Jones. Alabama retook the lead with a field goal in the final minute of the half. That 16-13 lead didn't last too long as, despite Washington punting from the Tide 37, they won the field position battle to get a short field for their second drive of the second half, and they capitalized, with Browning finding Hunter Bryant for a 13 yard touchdown and a 20-16 lead. They'd push the lead to seven on a 41 yard field goal, but the Tide would answer with a 47 yarder of their own to make it 23-19 late in the third. Henry would push the lead back to seven early in the fourth with a 32 yard kick, and then the Tide made their move. Flipping the field with a 47 yard Harris run, Tagovailoa found Jaylen Waddle for a 27 yard touchdown to tie the game with 9:32 to play. But Washington had a quick answer, as Browning found Salvon Ahmed for a 79 yard catch and run to get into the red zone, and three Myles Gaskin runs later, the Huskies were back up 33-26. Alabama had a couple chances, but a third down sack of Tagovailoa ended one threat. After getting the ball back near midfield with about two and a half minutes to play, the Tide were able to convert a pair of fourth downs to get to the Husky 17 with 34 seconds to go. But the Tide went incompletion, catch for no gain, incompletion, incompletion, and Browning was able to kneel out the upset. He had a very nice day, completing 22 of 25 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns, Myles Gaskin ran for 92 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, adding three catches for 61 yards, Salvon Ahmed had 40 yards rushing and 92 receiving, and Peyton Henry hit all four field goals he attempted for Washington. Tagovialoa threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns, but went 20-38 to do so and was picked off once. Damien Harris ran for 88 yards and picked 58 more receiving, while Jerry Jeudy caught four balls for 94 yards.

Semifinals

4pm Game

@ (2) Clemson 58, (3) Notre Dame 20

Photo by Tom Pennington (Getty Images)

This one had all the makings of a shootout early, as Clemson marched 72 yards in seven plays on the opening drive, capped by an 11 yard touchdown run for Travis Etienne. The Irish would punt on their first possession, but tied the game after forcing Clemson to punt, then got a 71 yard touchdown return by Chris Finke. Clemson responded with some special teams fireworks with a 73 yard kickoff return to set up a 15 yard Trevor Lawrence to Tee Higgins touchdown for the lead again. Notre Dame needed less than three minutes to retie the game, going 65 yards in six plays keyed by a 42 yard pass from Ian Book to Michael Young and capped by a 10 yard Dexter Williams run. But once again Clemson had an answer, with Lawrence hitting Higgins for a 55 yard touchdown pass and a 21-14 edge. That wasn't it for the quarter, as Denzel Johnson picked off Book on the next play from scrimmage, and six plays later Lawrence hit Hunter Renfrow for a nine yard touchdown and a 28-14 lead. Jonathan Doerer pulled the Irish back within 11 with a 33 yard field goal early in the second quarter, but Clemson answered immediately, with Etienne breaking free for a 64 yard touchdown run. The teams traded field goals late in the half, with Notre Dame's coming off an interception, but it was 38-20 Tigers at the break. The Tigers finished it off in the third quarter, forcing a three and out to open the half, then marching 55 yards in seven plays, capped by a 16 yard strike from Lawrence to Braden Galloway, and Lyn-J Dixon provided the final dagger late in the third with a 53 yard touchdown run. Lawrence only completed 21 of his 34 passes, but threw for 269 yards and four touchdowns with one pick, Etienne ran 22 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns, and Dixon added 102 yards and a score on ten carries. Christian Wilkins recorded two sacks to pace the Tiger defense. Ian Book struggled a bit for Notre Dame, throwing for 213 yards on 20 of 33 passing with an interception, while Dexter Williams had a touchdown on the ground, but only managed 49 yards on 20 carries.

7pm Game

@ (4) Georgia 23, (9) Washington 20

Photo by John Bazemore (AP)

Washington's Cinderella run ends in heartbreaking fashion in Athens. The Huskies turned it over on downs on their first drive, and after Georgia missed a field goal on the ensuing drive, Washington drew first blood late in the opening quarter with a seven play, 79 yard drive capped by a five yard strike from Jake Browning to Andre Baccellia. The Bulldogs made their move in the second quarter, getting a 30 yard field goal from Rodrigo Blankenship midway through, taking the lead late after a facemask negated a third down stop and Jake Fromm hit D'Andre Swift for a five yard touchdown. The Bulldogs would tack on a 19 yard field goal as the first half ended to make it 13-7 going into the break, and made it a two possession game late in the third quarter with an 11 play, 66 yard drive capped by a 26 yard Blankenship kick. Running out of time, the Huskies started a comeback bridging the third and fourth quarters, with Peyton Henry hitting a 24 yard field goal about two minutes into the fourth. A Swift fumble on Georgia's next play from scrimmage set the table, and Myles Gaskin punched it in from four yards out to take a 17-16 lead after the PAT. Taylor Rapp picked off Fromm and returned it just into Georgia territory, where the Huskies would fail to convert on third and one and had to settle for a 38 yard field goal to make it 20-16. Washington couldn't put the game away, but seemed poised to pin Georgia deep with a punt on fourth and four from the Georgia 40, but the punt was returned to the Washington 36, giving the Bulldogs just over a minute and a half to take the lead. They needed just four plays and 25 seconds, with Fromm hitting Charlie Woerner for the go-ahead touchdown from nine yards out with just over a minute to play. Browning's last ditch Hail Mary was intercepted, and Georgia punched its ticket to Pasadena. Elijah Holyfield and D'Andre Swift didn't do a ton, combining for just 88 yards rushing on 33 carries, with Swift adding four catches for 23 yards. Jake Fromm did just enough, completing 23 of 37 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, with one pick. Myles Gaskin played well in the loss for Washington, rushing for 114 yards and adding three catches for 46 yards, Hunter Bryant caught four balls for 110 yards to help Jake Browning to his 19-33 for 241 yards, a touchdown, and a pick line.

Championship

(2) Clemson 30, (4) Georgia 23

Photo by Mike Comer (Getty Images)

The Tigers win their second consecutive Death to the BCS title in thrilling fashion. Clemson opened the game with a five minute march downfield capped by a seven yard scoring strike from Trevor Lawrence to Tee Higgins. Georgia seemed poised to tie the game with a long march of their own, but Elijah Holyfield was stuffed on fourth and goal from the two. They would force a Clemson punt, and got on the board on their next drive with a 35 yard Rodrigo Blankenship field goal, beginning a battle of kickers as B.T. Potter responded from 43 yards on the ensuing drive. Each team would add one more field goal to make it 13-6 Clemson at the break. Potter added a chip shot midway through the third that pushed the lead to ten, a score that held until early in the fourth when Blankenship hit from 30 yards out. Georgia's defense finally got a huge stop, pushing Clemson backwards, and with the great field position as a result of that stand needed just four plays to go 43 yards, capped by a 26 yard strike from Jake Fromm to Riley Ridley that tied the game. A facemask helped Clemson pick up some free yards on the ensuing drive, capped by a ten yard Travis Etienne touchdown run that gave Clemson a 23-16 lead with 5:36 to play. The Bulldogs answered back, getting a 34 yard Holyfield run and converting a fourth and one on the legs of D'Andre Swift, setting up a three yard touchdown from Fromm to Isaac Nauta with just under two minutes to play. Georgia's defense then forced a three and out and seemingly had the game on ice with a punt return to the Tiger 39. But Fromm threw three straight incompletions, and Blankenship missed a 56 yard dagger wide right. This gave Clemson just under a minute to get into field goal range to win, something they didn't even need as Lyn-J Dixon got loose for a 58 yard touchdown run to give Clemson a 30-23 lead with only 42 seconds to go. Fromm managed to get the Bulldogs into Clemson territory, but his last-gasp heave for Nauta was underthrown, and the Tigers won the title. Going into the final minute, Lyn-J Dixon had a catch for 36 yards, but just 21 yards rushing on eight carries, then broke the game-winning 58 yard touchdown run for a total of nine for 79. Etienne matched that yardage total on 18 carries with a score of his own, while Trevor Lawrence completed 22 of his 31 passes to ten different receivers for 288 yards and a score. Fromm struggled a bit for Georgia, but still threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 20 of 34 passing. Elijah Holyfield picked up 101 yards on 15 carries, while D'Andre Swift was held to 38 yards on 18 touches.

To see the final bracket, click here.

Photo from Clemson University Athletic Department

Congratulations to the Clemson Tigers, winners of two straight Death to the BCS Championships! After one round, I didn't think this playoff was going to be particularly fun, because we had a first round that was extremely chalky, even in terms of margin of victory. But the second round provided a number of good games including a thrilling upset, a great semifinal game, and a down-to-the-wire championship game that lived up to its hype.

We also had a nice Cinderella story, with Washington becoming the lowest seed to make a semifinal since 14th seeded Bowling Green made its run in 2015. For the Huskies, both of their playoff trips have resulted in semifinal berths. Clemson was the third #2 seed to win a title, and first since they lost to #2 Alabama as the top seed in that same year. The Tigers have the second-best win percentage in Death to the BCS Playoffs history, behind only Alabama. Georgia has made two title game trips in its three playoff appearances. Meanwhile, I think Boise State has the worst playoff history, with a first round exit in each of its four appearances to date.

There's some highlights from the tournament history; you can view that history here. With luck, I will be able to do a runthrough of the 2019 Playoffs soon!