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As the 2019-2020 college football season comes to an end, fans around the country take a look back on an amazing season. Although there can only be one national champion, many teams brought their A-game to the playing field with hopes to receive this honor. This season was full of exceeded expectations and historic games. Alabama missing the playoffs, LSU’s one-sided battle against Oklahoma, and much more were given to us by the following six teams.
LSU Tigers: 15-0
Joe Burrow, the senior quarterback and 2020 Heisman winner who is officially a household name throughout Louisiana, led the LSU Tigers to a perfect season and a national championship. Victories during the regular season over top ten teams including Alabama, Florida State, and Auburn helped them stay on top of the SEC and secure the conference title. Finally, a record breaking game against Oklahoma helped push LSU to the national championship where they would become champions. Although fourteen players (including stars Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, Thaddeus Moss, and Grant Delpit) have declared for the NFL draft, HC Ed Orgeron and the Tigers still have a strong future ahead of them. In the words of Coach Orgeron, “Geaux Tigers.”
Ohio State Buckeyes: 13-1
Leading the Big Ten and earning the No. 2 spot in the league, Justin Fields and the Buckeyes faced off against the Clemson Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl. Wins during rival games against Michigan and Penn State allowed them to stay on top of their conference. Even though their season was cut short, it was far from unsuccessful. The Buckeye’s star DE Chase Young, a Heisman finalist who had sixteen and a half sacks, led the buckeye defense to a total of fifty-four sacks, and is in the conversation for the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Falling short to the Clemson Tigers in the semifinals 29-23 was only a minor setback for Ohio State. Due to draft ineligibility, Ohio’s other Heisman finalist, Justin Fields, will return for another season. The future’s looking bright for The Ohio State Buckeyes.
Clemson Tigers: 14-1
The Clemson Tigers started the 2019-2020 season as the reigning champions. They ended their season just one game shy from being back-to-back title holders. With thirty-six TDs and eight INTS, the Tiger’s QB Trevor Lawrence finished his sophomore season with a 29-1 record. Averaging 43.9 points per game and only playing two top twenty-five teams, the Clemson Tigers had a first class ticket to the CFB Playoffs. Safety Nolan Turner’s interception against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl helped bring the Tigers to the national championship. Despite a blowout loss to LSU, Clemson is looking to make another return to the big stage.
Oklahoma Sooners: 12-2
Taking the No. 4 spot in the league, the Oklahoma Sooners were the final team to receive a playoff spot this season. With the Sooners’ QB Jalen Hurts’ Heisman nomination, all four playoff teams had at least one Heisman finalist. After losing the starter position at Alabama, Hurts announced his transfer to Oklahoma. Lead by a new QB with lots of potential, similar to Kyler Murray, the Sooners started the season off strong with seven straight wins. WR CeeDee Lamb’s 1,327 receiving yards in sixty-two receptions throughout the season helped bring Oklahoma to the playoffs, where they faced off against the LSU Tigers in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. The Sooners would fall to the Tigers 63-28, a rough end to a special season. As Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb continue their football careers by declaring for the NFL draft, Oklahoma’s future success will be a toss up.
Alabama Crimson Tide: 11-2
Alabama, the Patriots of college football and the team to beat, were in fact beat. Even though they only suffered two losses, against LSU 46-41, and Auburn 48-45, Alabama missed the playoffs for the first time in five years. Tua Tagovailoa’s season was cut short due to a right hip injury late in the first half of their game against Mississippi State, but this did not stop him from forgoing his final year of eligibility and declaring for the NFL Draft. Without backup and former starter Jalen Hurts, this called for a sickening ending to Alabama’s season. On the other hand, some wonder: what is next for this team? For starters, the Tagovailoa family isn’t finished at Alabama just yet. QB Taulia Tagovailoa has committed to Alabama to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Head Coach Nick Saban, who is only one season into an eight year contract, and the Crimson Tide still have a long road ahead of them. Will the upcoming years be as smooth as the previous ones?
Georgia Bulldogs: 12-2
QB Jake Fromm and the Bulldogs’ season was far from a disappointment this year. Despite a mildly difficult schedule, Georgia was looking at their first playoff appearance for the first time since 2017 when they fell to Alabama in the National Championship. Securing their division and No. 2 spot in the SEC, the Bulldogs were looking at another conference championship. Unfortunately, their season ended with a loss to LSU and the No. 4 spot went to Oklahoma. Instead of the National Championship, the Bulldogs came out victorious against Baylor in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs will be losing numerous players including Philadelphia native D’Andre Swift (RB) and star QB Jake Fromm to the NFL Draft, but what does that mean for the future of Georgia? Head Coach Kirby Smart has signed many recruits to help lead Georgia to an even more successful 2020-2021 season.
