The College Football Playoff’s first-round games have continued a familiar pattern of blowout wins, with dominant teams controlling the line of scrimmage and out-rushing their opponents. The third game in the expanded playoff took place at Texas, where the Longhorns’ road-grading offensive line allowed them to overwhelm Clemson.
Texas rushed for 292 yards, including Jayden Blue’s two touchdown runs, while Clemson struggled on offense, gaining just 76 yards on the ground. Notre Dame also out-rushed Indiana by 193-63, and Penn State dominated SMU 185-58 in their respective games.
The key to these dominating performances lies in the teams’ ability to control the line of scrimmage. Texas’s offensive line created gaping holes for Jayden Blue to run through, while their defensive line harassed Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik throughout the game.
This trend is evident in all three games so far this season. The College Football Playoff committee may need to reevaluate its approach, as it appears that teams capable of winning on the ground are those that can also dominate the line of scrimmage.
The selection committee’s criteria for selecting teams, including strength of schedule and quality victories, may not be enough to distinguish between winners and losers in these blowout games. It is clear that controlling the line of scrimmage is a crucial factor in determining the outcome of these contests.
As the playoff progresses, it will be interesting to see how this trend continues to play out. For now, it seems that teams that can run the ball and control the line of scrimmage are the ones that will advance.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-dominant-win-over-clemson-continues-a-cfp-first-round-pattern-why-all-the-blowouts-005844099.html