Mike Ridaught
For the first time since 2014, when Ohio State defeated Oregon, 42-20, on Jan. 12, 2015, there will be no SEC team in the college football national championship game.
In fact, over the last 17 years, since Florida’s second national title in 2006, the SEC has won all but four of them, with Clemson winning it all in 2016 and 2018, and Ohio State (2014) and FSU (2013) winning the other two.
That’s 13 national titles for the SEC in 17 years.
But the SEC’s reign of four straight national championships has ended, thanks to Michigan’s win against Alabama in the national semifinals.
Tonight at 7:30 p.m., it just means more for unbeatens Michigan (14-0), of the Big Ten Conference, and Washington (14-0), which is in the Pac-12 Conference.
Among the 13 all-time meetings between Michigan and Washington, a few stand out.
Michigan is a slight favorite (4.5-5 points), but most of the experts at ESPN like Washington.
The top-ranked Wolverines, who are making their first appearance in the CFP National Championship Game, have won 11 national titles, including their last one on New Year’s Day in 1998 when they defeated Washington State, 21-16, in the Rose Bowl to finish undefeated.
It’s the first time in 26 years that Michigan has been ranked No. 1.
The second-ranked Huskies, who have won two national titles, including a shared title with Miami in 1991, have the nation’s longest active FBS winning streak at 21.
Washington’s last 10 games have all been decided by 10 or fewer points, and UW has won them all.
Tonight’s game will be televised by ESPN.
Yesterday marked the end of what can be best described as a disappointing season for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In a win-and-in scenario on Sunday in Tennessee, the Jags lost at the Titans, 28-20, and missed the playoffs despite an 8-3 start.
They lost five of their last six games of the season. The Jaguars’ collapse was an organizational and coaching failure.
But two out of three ain’t bad, as Miami and Tampa Bay secured playoff berths.
Despite a 21-14 loss at home to Buffalo on Sunday night, the Miami Dolphins are in the NFL playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the AFC and will travel to No. 3 seed Kansas City this Saturday night at 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay, which clinched its third straight NFC South title, is the No. 4 seed in the NFC and will host No. 5 seed Philadelphia.
The NFL playoff bracket is set.
AFC wild-card matchups
(7) Steelers at (2) Bills – Sunday, Jan. 14, 1 p.m.
(6) Dolphins at (3) Chiefs – Saturday, Jan. 13, 8:15 p.m.
(5) Browns at (4) Texans – Saturday, Jan. 13, 4:30 p.m.
Bye: Ravens
NFC wild-card matchups
(7) Packers at (2) Cowboys – Sunday, Jan. 14, 4:30 p.m.
(6) Rams at (3) Lions – Sunday, Jan. 14, 8:15 p.m.
(5) Eagles at (4) Buccaneers – Monday, Jan. 15, 8:15 p.m.
Bye: 49ers