One would assume that Alabama is going to win college football's national championship...much like we assumed that Georgia was going to crush the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game last weekend. That's what makes college football so interesting and fun to watch. We never really know what to expect in any game. We all underestimated 'Bama Coach Nick Saban and that's hard to figure out why anyone would ever underestimate him. Georgia had been so dominant in going 12-0 and being ranked number one for the last two months or so of the season. It appeared that no team in the country could hang with the Bulldogs. We simply assumed that Georgia was too good and we listed the 'Dawgs as a 6.5 point favorite over Alabama.
Nick Saban proved us all wrong.
Georgia was simply not prepared to play for an SEC Championship. They were flat, uninspired and looked anything like an unbeaten, top-ranked team. That's what happens when you haven't really been tested in almost three months. Georgia fans were cocky and over-confident as well and, when the game got out of hand at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, they left in droves, leaving Alabama fans to celebrate yet another SEC Championship.
Now a lot of fans are expecting a rematch between these two SEC powers for the national title and, if that plays out, everyone may assume that Georgia will get revenge and beat Alabama. However, you still have to figure in the Nick Saban factor and when that happens 'Bama is hard to beat.
What happens if Michigan or Cincinnati win in the national semi-finals? One would assume that's not going to happen but nothing is impossible. The Bearcats have had a miracle season but their lack of a tough schedule will hurt them against the Crimson Tide. As for Georgia and Michigan, one would assume the Bulldogs will right the ship and serve up a rematch, not only of the SEC Championship Game but the 2018 National Championship Game as well. However, Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines may have other ideas.
This year's college football playoff is unlike any we've had since its inception in 2014. That's mainly because Ohio State and Clemson aren't in it. Most fans assumed they would both be there as Clemson was the pre-season choice to win it all and the Buckeyes were right behind them in the polls. We just assumed the Tigers and Buckeyes would be playing for all the marbles but that didn't happen. We tend to assume too many things rather than just sitting back and enjoying them.
Remember what people say when you assume things!
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com