College football conference championship Saturday

I haven’t been covering college football this year because the schedule has been so chaotic, but this weekend will determine which teams make it to the college football playoff. The big games are between Alabama and Florida in the SEC, Notre Dame and Clemson in the ACC, and Ohio State against Northwestern in the Big Ten. Ohio State has made it to their conference championship despite only playing five games this season because of the virus. They have played very well in that limited schedule. In the next few years, I think the playoff field should be expanded from four to eight teams. For years, the 1-AA division of college football has done this with no problem. I don’t know why Division 1-A doesn’t do the same.

This past Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season by beating the 11-2 New Orleans Saints. The final score was 24-21. The Eagles team had control of the game from the outset going up 17-0 in the second quarter. I thought the coaches did a good job changing the game plan for the rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts, and they actually used running back Miles Sanders pretty well. In the first half, he broke out for an 82-yard touchdown run to make the game 17-0. The defense played pretty well for most of the game. The Saints pulled to within three points with just under a minute left and tried an unsuccessful onside kick. Jalen Hurts played a very good first game. He continued to rely on his mobility outside of the pocket and did not make very many mistakes. It will be interesting to see how he plays against Arizona on Sunday after the Cardinals have been able to review a full game of film on him.

In order for the Eagles to make the playoffs, they have to win their last three games and they need a little help. Let's be realistic. This is not very likely. I think the Washington Football Team is probably going to win the battle of the worst division in football this year. They will likely have to beat the Eagles on the last day of the regular season to get there.  

Congratulations to the Cape field hockey team for continuing their domination of the state championship. The have won four straight and nine of the last 10. Many of the members of this team also play on the lacrosse team. I hope the spring sports teams get to play in 2021.

Have a good weekend and get your holiday shopping done. Buy local.