Bring on the Dawgs; Irish to quarters … The first ever true multiple team college football playoff got under way last night at Notre Dame where the Irish knocked off cross-state rival Indiana 27-17 in a game that was never that close; indeed, the Hoosiers were able to save some dignity with a couple of TDs in the final 90 seconds of the contest, but for most of the night the Irish were simply playing faster. With the win, Notre Dame advances to a national quarter-final match-up against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st. The three other QF slots will be filled later today three more first round games including SMU at Penn State at Noon ET; Clemson at Texas at 4 PM and Tennessee at Ohio State at * PM ET. The first two games are on TNT while the nightcap is on ABC. Again, here is our preview of the players to watch in those games. Meanwhile, the finalists for the national FCS title will also be decided today as #2 ranked south Dakota State plays #4 North Dakota State at Noon ET, while #1 Montana State meets #3 South Dakota at 3:30 PM ET with both those games on ABC. The one real prospect to watch in those two games is rising ND State OT Grey Zabel (#74, 6-5, 305).
Of course, there are also a couple of potentially really good NFL games on today’s docket in what may just be the ‘best day of football ever!’ Both involve AFC contenders with conference leading Kansas City playing at AFC South leader Houston at 1 PM ET, while Pittsburgh and Baltimore will battle for the AFC North division lead at 4:30 PM. Have a great day!!
