We are in the thick of the holiday bowl season, and this year added to the mix is the extended playoff bracket. Twelve schools qualified for the playoffs, and so far, the results have been underwhelming. 

Of course, this being the college championship method, there will be those carping about the process, no matter the solution. The polls determining the champion were said to be too arbitrary, then the determination for the final game was not acceptable, so a four-team seeding was created -- but this was deemed too exclusionary, so now it is spread out to a dozen schools, and those on the outside complain while others moan about who does qualify or get first-round byes. Basically, they are already discussing tweaking this new system.

Face it, there will be complaints, so just sit back and try to enjoy whichever solution is delivered. Meanwhile, the portal carousel has already been spinning. To this point, over 3,000 players have entered the portal, with close to 800 already choosing a new campus. Though the deadline just closed, others are still able to enter; those with remaining bowl games or are in the playoffs have until five days after their final game to announce. Also, if a coach leaves a school, those players will have 30 days to opt into the portal.

This of course means bowl games are completely in flux regarding those players, depending on who and how many decide to sit out their game to avoid injury. Also, this includes players entering the NFL draft board. So this time of year produces more question marks than answers.

The playoffs are more likely to deliver games with close to full squads, but so far those results have been a lopsided affair. One wrinkle to the complaints is that as Alabama fans claimed they should have been in the mix despite three losses; one of those was at the hands of Oklahoma -- who was just blasted by Navy -- and another was to Tennessee, another loser in the postseason.

Let’s go over the results to this point, starting with the playoffs-

Notre Dame 27 – Indiana 17 

While the score may not look like a blowout it really was never close, with the Hoosiers not finding the end zone until less than 1.5 minutes left in the game. Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke had a pedestrian 215 yards passing with two strikes and an interception, but he had no running game in support. No Indy running back broke the 40-yard mark as they ran for only 68 yards as a team. Meanwhile, that was bested by one play from Jeremiyah Love, who ran for a 98-yard score on the third play of the game for the Irish.

Penn State 38 – SMU 11

An impressive year for the ACC upstarts ended on the frigid field in Pennsylvania. The potent Pony Express offense sputtered and Penn State’s defense delivered in another blowout where the game was essentially over before the Mustangs scored their touchdown with under eight minutes to play. Three interceptions were the killer, as two went for pick-6 scores for the Lions, while the third happened with SMU about to go in for a score. 

Texas 38 – Clemson 12

There was built-in drama as Cade Klubnik returned to his hometown of Austin to play against his high school rival Quinn Ewers, but this time the result was flipped from that seen in the state championship game when they last met in a game. Klubnik had a good performance with 336 yards thrown and three touchdowns, but a lack of a supportive running game derailed things. Texas meanwhile saw Ewers managing the game as the Longhorns nearly rushed for 300 yards combined, with Jayden Blue and Quintrevion Wisner each running for over 100.

Ohio State 42 – Tennessee 9

In another that was over early the Buckeyes opened up a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never broke a sweat. Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava struggled mightily, managing just 104 yards passing and getting nearly half as much through scrambling most of the game. For OSU, Will Howard was efficient with a 311/2TD performance and guided the team to 473 total yards in the walkover.

     PLAYOFF QUARTER-FINAL MATCHUPS

• Fiesta Bowl

Penns State vs. Boise State / Dec. 31, 7:30 pm

This could be the telling matchup to see just how effective Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty is as the Broncos face their toughest test of the season. Penn State's defense will need to key in on one of the most productive runners in NCAA history.

• Peach Bowl

Texas vs. Arizona State / Jan. 1, 1:00 pm

The Sun Devils have practically been an anonymous force all season. Predicted to land in the basement of their new conference, Arizona State has been one of the surprises, rising to a first-round bye in the playoffs. Running backs on both sides will be the deciding factor, as ASU has Cam Skattebo, who has proven to be an offensive force propelling his team.

• Rose Bowl

Oregon vs. Ohio State / Jan. 1, 5:00 pm

Many are looking at this one as the premiere playoff matchup, with these two meeting for the second time after the Ducks managed a 1-point win to preserve the only undefeated record in the D-1. These are two very balanced squads, and who will rise up is the factor worth watching. 

• Sugar Bowl

Georgia vs. Notre Dame / Jan. 1, 8:45pm

The Irish have been growing into their stature as a top-10 team, while Georgia has run hot and cold this season. This will be a rushing contest, as the Irish have been a ground game team most of the year, and with Carson Beck out, the Bulldogs will rely on Trevor Etienne out of their backfield.