What we discovered from the thrilling Faculty Soccer Playoff Semifinals

The dialog resulting in the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals on New Yr’s Day largely targeted on who wouldn’t be taking part in. 

Undefeated ACC champion Florida State was neglected of the CFP resulting from star quarterback Jordan Travis lacking the remainder of the season after a severe leg harm late within the season. 

The trend coming from Tallahassee was palpable, as was the anger of many inside the school soccer world. 

“Win and also you’re in” is the standard pondering in sports activities, so an undefeated Energy 5 convention champion lacking out on an opportunity for a nationwide championship was unthinkable. 

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And but, two issues might be true without delay. 

Florida State sitting at house and not using a loss was a nasty look, and the Faculty Soccer Playoff committee gave followers two thrilling matchups. 

Michigan rallied late within the fourth quarter earlier than stopping Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on fourth-and-goal in additional time to proceed on their “us towards the world” march, and the Washington Huskies barely prevented an all-time collapse to maintain the existence of the Pac-12 alive for another week. 

Let’s take a look at what was discovered on Monday as the ultimate version of the four-team CFP reaches its finish. 

Michael Penix Jr. appears just like the one who was snubbed

The 2023 Heisman Trophy went to LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels after the senior had a spectacular statistical season. 

Daniels single-handedly carried the Tigers, throwing for 40 touchdowns and including 1,134 yards and 10 scores on the bottom. Regardless of his heroics, LSU misplaced three video games by early November, and was out of the SEC West and CFP race. 

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If Florida State was snubbed by the CFP committee resulting from going undefeated, wouldn’t it make sense that Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was additionally snubbed by the Heisman Trophy voters when he was chosen because the runner-up?

Penix led Washington to an undefeated season and the Pac-12 title, going over 4,000 passing yards for the second consecutive yr. 

Whereas the wins weren’t all the time fairly – Washington’s final 10 video games have been determined by 10 factors or fewer – the Huskies discovered a approach to keep out of the loss column. 

On Monday evening, Penix and the Huskies continued on their profitable path, needing a last-second play by cornerback Elijah Jackson to defeat Texas 37-31. Penix was spectacular for Washington, selecting aside the Texas protection by way of the air and utilizing his legs when wanted. 

The sixth-year senior attacked the Texas protection down the sector, finishing six passes of at the least 20 yards. He completed the evening 29 of 38 for 430 yards and two touchdowns, including 31 yards on the bottom. 

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He appeared each a part of the Heisman and now will play for the nationwide championship as his NFL inventory continues to rise. 

Penix additionally has a narrative that’s made for essentially the most prestigious particular person award in sports activities. 

In his first 4 seasons at Indiana, Penix suffered three season-ending accidents, together with main accidents to each knees. He transferred to Washington in 2022 and determined to return for his sixth season of school soccer, the place he now has the chance to go away Seattle as a legend. 

“It was the powerful occasions. I really feel like every little thing I’ve been by way of constructed me for this,” Penix mentioned after beating Texas. 

Penix has a respectable gripe with the Heisman committee, however a nationwide championship will rapidly make him neglect the snub. 

Offensive line points doomed Alabama 

Michigan might have defeated Alabama to advance to the CFP nationwide championship, however the Crimson Tide know they let one get away.  

The offensive line points that plagued Alabama through the early a part of the 2023 season reared its ugly head on New Yr’s Day. 

Quarterback Jalen Milroe was sacked 44 occasions this season, essentially the most by this system within the final 35 years, in line with ESPN. 

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The Michigan protection overwhelmed Alabama’s offensive line within the first half, sacking Milroe 5 occasions. The Wolverines completed the day with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. 

“It was a mixture of a number of issues,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban mentioned of the offensive line’s woes, together with missed alternatives redirecting safety as a result of the clock was working down, in line with ESPN. “I assumed we did a greater job within the second half, however we did not give Jalen a possibility to make some performs, nor our receivers to make some performs down the sector, which was an enormous a part of this sport.”

Within the second half, Alabama made changes, permitting Milroe extra time within the pocket, however miscues by the offensive line endured. 

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On the primary drive of the half, Alabama acquired all the way down to the Michigan 47-yard line earlier than two unhealthy snaps backed the Crimson Tide up earlier than having to punt. In additional time, a low snap on fourth-and-goal appeared to throw off Alabama’s last play when Milroe was stuffed on the line of scrimmage. 

“We shot ourselves within the foot,” Saban mentioned.

Alabama has now gone three straight years and not using a nationwide championship, a primary underneath Saban. 

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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