It's December 9th, 1999. Thanks to Alabama, we won't have a semifinal rematch in the CFP.
Vote for who you think would win the national championship in 1999 had there been a playoff.
1 FSU vs 4 Alabama
2 VA Tech vs 3 Nebraska
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The Teams:
#1 FSU, 11-0, ACC Champions
3rd in scoring offense
11th in scoring defense
13th strength of schedule
First team to ever go wire-to-wire at #1. The Noles took on 4 ranked foes, beating #10 GA Tech and at #3 Florida by a TD each, a ten-point win vs #19 Miami, and a blowout win vs #20 NC State. FSU did escape Clemson with a 3-point win vs the .500 Tigers.
The offense scored 30 or more points in every game but one. A pass-heavy group, QB Weinke and company averaged over 300 yds passing and only 124 rushing per game. RB Minor was solid, but none of the ball-carriers had a good average per carry. The receivers were very talented, if not young. Led by Peter Warrick, Weinke also had Dugans, Minnis, Coles, and Boldin to throw to. Warrick was on track to win the Heisman, but was suspended 2 games for theft.
The defense was stout against the run, allowing under 100 ypg. However, against the pass, FSU gave up it's share but also picked off 22 passes. DT Simon was a monster, with 21 TFL and LBs Allen and Polley with 100+ tackles each.
The special teams were strong, with Warrick returning punts, Janikowski booming FGs, and Cottrell's punts going 43 yds per kick.
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#2 Virginia Tech, 11-0, Big East Champions
1st in scoring offense
5th in scoring defense
58th in strength of schedule
The Hokies find themselves in this position for the first time in their history. Beamer ball has them undefeated, having beaten 4 ranked teams, all of which were blowout wins. At #24 Virginia, a 62-0 shellacking of #16 Syracuse, #19 Miami, and #33 BC - all victims. The only close call VT had all year was @ WV by two points.
Like FSU, VT scored 30 or more in all but one game. A run-heavy offense, VT did pass for 200 yds per game, but ran for 256. RB Stith had nearly 1200 yards and 13 TDs, with backup Kendrick averaging 6.2 per carry. QB Vick helped out with nearly 700 yards himself and 9 TDs. Vick's favorite threat, WR Davis, caught a lot of deep balls, averaging 25.5 per catch to get over 1,000 yards for the season.
The defense held eight teams to 2 TD or less. Teams could not run on the Hokies (72 yards per game). While VT didn't pick off many passes, teams still couldn't complete half their passes, mainly due to the pass rush provided by DE Corey Moore (17 sacks). VT found some opportunistic scoring on defense as well, with 4 scoop-n-score TDs on the year.
The Hokies' special teams had good return games and FG kicking, with K Graham. If you're wondering about blocked kicks, they only got 2 this year, not like the 12 they had in 1998.
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#3 Nebraska, 11-1, Big XII Champions
12 in scoring offense
4th in scoring defense
16th in strength of schedule
In just his 2nd season at the helm, HC Solich has Nebraska in the playoff. The Big Red spent the whole season ranked in the top 10, and avenged their only loss (@ Texas) in the BXIICG. Aside from going 1-1 vs ranked Texas, Nebraska beat #21 A&M 37-0 and #5 Kansas State 41-15 in consecutive weeks.
The option offense hit 30+ points eight times this year. QB Crouch kept his passing % over 50, with 7 TD and 4 INT. He led the team in rushing with nearly 900 yards and 16 TD. RB Alexander and Buckhalter split time, but combined for 14 TD and both averaged 6+ yards per carry. Crouch had some good targets to throw to as well, WRs Davison and Newcombe, and big plays with TE Wistrom.
The Huskers had a stingy D, shutting down the run (77 ypg allowed) and pass (42.5% completion percentage). The Blackshirts picked off 18 passes on the year, and managed to score 4 TDs of their own on turnovers. Without any one player having over 7 sacks, the Husker D managed 54 as a team!
A good return game and punter were the special teams strengths. Once Newcombe was put at PR, he was a real dynamo. Kicker Brown was solid, but not a big leg.
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#4 Alabama, 10-2, SEC Champions
31st in scoring offense
24th in scoring defense
1st in strength of schedule
Perhaps the most unlikely playoff team ever, after a September loss to Louisiana Tech, the Tide made it all the way here by facing SEVEN ranked opponents, beating six. Close wins over #14 Arkansas, at #3 Florida and at #22 Ole Miss, then a loss to #5 Tennessee, then wins over #20 Southern Miss, #8 Miss State, and #5 Florida in the SECCG. The Tide earned their way from unranked to #4 in the country.
The offense wasn't spectacular, but effective. QB Zow was a game-manager and had more TD than INT (12-9). The offense centered on RB Alexander and his 1300+ yards rushing with 19 TD. WR Milons was the biggest receiving threat, but only had 2 TD receptions.
The Tide defense stuffed the run, as usual, holding teams to under 75 yards rushing per game. However, the pass D was uncharacteristically porous, allowing 222 yards per game through the air. Teams could count on big plays over the top, trying to get a lead on Alabama.
WR Milons was a good return man, but the kicking game was just average overall.
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Notables Involved:
DE Corey Moore, VA Tech - Nagurski, Lombardi, All-American
OT Chris Samuels, Alabama - Outland, AA
K Sebastian Janikowski, FSU - Groza, AA
HC Frank Beamer, VA Tech - Coach of the Year (AFCA, AP, Robinson, Bryant, Camp)
HC Frank Solich, Nebraska - Coach of the Year (Home Depot)
WR Peter Warrick, FSU - AA
OL Jason Whitaker, FSU - AA
DT Corey Simon, FSU - AA
DB Ralph Brown, Nebraska - AA
