College Football ‘Offs Update

Miami Florida an incredible four time champion in 9 seasons (’83-’91) but with just one crown, that in ’01 since then knocked out defending champion, plurality favorite and second ranked Ohio State in the first “quarter” played as the Cotton Bowl.

A far better and deserving Ohio State team was denied even one crown when U.C.L.A. Rose Bowled them exactly 50 years ago tomorrow on another Thursday January 1st.

Ohio State won crowns in ’02 (that vs defending champion Miami in 2 overtimes with the aid of a key interference call vs the ‘Canes (Miami), in the first 4 team ‘off in ’14 (once Canes fan “Stone” said 14 as) and in last year’s first 12 team ‘off.

The ‘Canes will meet the winner of tomorrow’s night/finale of 3 bowl/playoff games, evoking the good days of meaningful 1/1 bowl games, between Georgia a near TD “fave” vs Ole Miss.

In the day’s first tilt, Oregon is a slight favorite vs Texas Tech, the latter the higher ranked team. (In 5 ‘offs quarters, the bye/higher ranked team lost).

Then in the Rose Bowl/quarter, top ranked Indiana, evoking memories of John Isenbarger and ’67, is also a near TD “fave” vs Alabama.

‘Bama has a plethora of college football crowns (at least 11, 5 each under Paul “Bear” Bryant and Nick Saban and one under Gene Stallings, clinched vs a Miami team favored to claim a 5th crown in 10 seasons), but none in basketball.

Indiana is the near reverse with 5 basketball crowns, 3 under Bob Knight and 2 under Branch McCracken) and none in football.

John Isenbarger, pictured above led Indiana to their only previous Rose Bowl appearance after the 1967 season.

In that game played on 1/1/1968 a running back named Simpson scored both TD’s as U.S,C. won (14-3) and claimed the ’67 title.

Isenbarger and O.J. died about a month apart 56 years later in 2024.