Here’s a point to ponder when you are making your first-ever college football playoff picks: This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Ohio State. When the 2014 season kicked off, the Buckeyes were looking to retool a defense that was trampled by Michigan State in the 2013 Big Ten title game and by Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Coach Urban Meyer also had to replace four starters along the offensive line as well as injured quarterback Braxton Miller. It is a testimony to Meyer’s recruiting and coaching prowess that OSU qualified for the playoffs. It is also safe to say the Buckeyes, loaded with young talent on both sides of the ball, are a year or two away from reaching their full potential. Unfortunately for Meyer and Co., the Bucks have to face an Alabama team in Thursday’s Sugar Bowl that is battle-tested in the brutal SEC and rolling toward another national championship. The Tide are favored by 9 points and gets our call to advance to the national title game Jan.?12. In Thursday’s other semifinal, Oregon is a 9-point favorite against Florida State at the Rose Bowl. That seems a generous head start for the defending national champs, who are riding a 29-game winning streak. Take the ’Noles and the points. In this week’s other bowl games: TODAY HEART OF DALLAS BOWL: Illinois (+6) over Louisiana Tech — Take the points with improving Illinois, which has knocked off bowl teams Minnesota and Penn State in winning three of its past five games. …
Continue Reading: College Picks: Tide, ’Noles semi tough
