Wow, what a game!

Ohio State came South with one goal: to bring the Georgia Bulldogs down to earth and shove the Buckeyes into the national championship game. They could not have gotten any closer. It was a valiant effort, but it was still a loss, and no amount of rationalizing will change the outcome.

Before looking at Georgia, C.J. Stroud deserves a word or two. I admit to being slack with film study of Stroud, and that omission was a serious blunder. Mr. Stroud played a masterful game against the Dawgs. Off-balance passes, huge runs when feeling pressure, fantastic accuracy, and vision. I have heard many compliments about the Buckeye quarterback’s varied athletic abilities, but one aspect of his game that should stand out to everyone is his leadership ability. He stood up in the face of Georgia’s rush and delivered pass after accurate pass. He sure looks like a Sunday athlete to me.

C.J. Stroud may have surprised or even shocked many Dawg fans, but Stetson Bennett was the Peach Bowl’s winning quarterback, and Stetson played Bennett Ball all night. Stetson is the anti-Stroud, and Stroud looks like the top-level athlete he is when he executes passes and runs. He glides along as he surveys the field for threats and holes. Stroud’s athleticism and grace did not prevent him from being the No. 2 quarterback in the Peach Bowl.

With arms and legs akimbo, Stetson Bennett rushed, passed, and led the Bulldogs to another national championship game. When his football mojo is working, he seems more confident and exudes a touch more intensity.

Next, Georgia and TCU will meet in Los Angeles to determine the CFP National Championship in Stetson Bennett’s final college game. After the Peach Bowl, Stetson said postgame as he remembered stepping into the huddle to call the first play after OSU made a 48-yard field goal, pushing ahead 41-35 with 2:36 left to play:

“I looked around, and there were just a bunch of determined strong stares from all the dudes. It gave me confidence.”

His confidence delivered.