‘The Audible’ breaks down the new-money Playoff: ‘College football is more fun this way’

If there was any doubt whether or not school soccer has really entered a brand new chapter, the quarterfinals put it to mattress. This iteration of the College Football Playoff includes a closing 4 with a “new-money” really feel: Two applications risen from the useless, a Miami crew that hasn’t been a think about its present pupil physique’s lifetime, and perpetual also-ran Oregon representing probably the most distinguished soccer model within the group.

On the most recent episode of “The Audible,” Ralph Russo and Bruce Feldman break down the wild quarterfinal outcomes, the statements made by applications going through doubt, and the gorgeous energy shift facilitated by the identify, picture and likeness period. Here are three takeaways from the episode.

Indiana left little question who the favourite is

“Indiana did to Alabama what Alabama used to do to other playoff teams. They were so much better,” Russo mentioned.

If you missed the Rose Bowl or fell asleep as a result of the motion was so one-sided early, simply know that the Hoosiers took the Tide aside on a molecular degree. They greater than doubled up Bama in complete yards, holding the Tide below 200 and permitting simply 23 on the bottom. On offense, Indiana solely punted twice and picked up twice as many first downs as Alabama.

“Alabama did not play with any edge or any energy,” Feldman mentioned. “They looked like they were starting to give up.”

Curt Cignetti’s crew, nonetheless, performed to the ultimate bell. In the fourth quarter, the Hoosiers picked up 154 yards and two scores, holding Bama to 32 yards and forcing a punt and turnover on downs. They left little question and established themselves because the apex predator on this postseason.

“There is no letting up. If they get on top of you, they are going to bury you. That’s how they want to play and what makes them so good. We are never stopping, we are going to keep scoring, we are not going to back off,” Russo mentioned. “I have no words for the turnaround under Cignetti. It has no precedent; it might be the greatest story in the history of college football, frankly, if they win the national championship. It might already be.”

Ole Miss proves the Rebels are greater than a coach

Could the Rebels be higher off with out Lane Kiffin? A greater query could be: Has Kiffin’s departure helped Ole Miss?

“Good teams get better from digging deep and pulling together to handle adversity,” Feldman mentioned. “How much more adversity can you have than your own coach bailing on you before the Playoff?”

Not solely did the Rebels win a thriller towards Georgia, however Trinidad Chambliss performed himself into school soccer mythology, and new head coach Pete Golding and his gamers charted their very own path to the semifinals.

They performed free and straightforward soccer, by no means seeming overwhelmed or that nervous. They seemed like a crew set on separating their success from the sideshow created by Kiffin’s ugly departure, and should have erased that speaking level altogether.

“They are here to prove that Lane Kiffin is not the reason they are here. You could see the circumstances bringing a team together, making them feel like they have something even more to prove,” Russo mentioned. “We are being challenged here to prove our worth as players. I think there is some value in the way they’re playing.”

Are you not entertained?

This is what’s attainable within the NIL period. Here stand Indiana and Ole Miss, two applications that, till this new paradigm, had been non-factors in each sense of the phrase. They didn’t matter for 50 years and survived solely by being within the two most profitable conferences within the nation.

Miami has a legacy, however no success anybody born this century can keep in mind. As Russo put it, “It’s been 25 years, and it’s been 25 years in which they haven’t been anywhere close to this. It’s been 25 years where they’ve been out in the woods.”

And Oregon, whereas not too long ago profitable, has fluctuated within the final 20 years with out securing a title.

That the Ducks are probably the most “established” program left within the discipline speaks to how shortly trajectories can change with the power to accumulate expertise and coaches and remake rosters in a single day. Yes, Texas Tech spent $30 million simply to get shut out, however we additionally watched Indiana (Indiana!) blow Alabama off the sector, and Ole Miss topple Georgia, the fear of the 2020s.

“I think college football is more fun this way. I understand the reasons we got here are not necessarily so much fun because of the chaos off the field, no rules or regulations, but on game day, it has created a lot more interesting results,” Russo mentioned. “I understand the chaos makes it feel like college football is in danger, but the fact is, I don’t think the product on the field has ever been better.”

Listen to the complete episode wherever you get your podcasts.