It was a massive football weekend full of excitement, controversy and unfortunately, too many blowouts. Let’s review…

Notre Dame beats Penn State
Penn State gave the game away. It’s as simple as that. The Nittany Lions were more talented but the better “team”… in every sense of the word… won. The Irish were more disciplined. They made big plays when big plays were needed. They were resilient. They were better coached. As a Penn State fan, all I can do is regret the plays Penn State missed. The missed throw for an easy touchdown on the first drive. The missed fumble recovery by Abdul Carter. Cam Miller falling down at the worst possible time. The poor third down call on Penn State’s 2^nd to last possession, and of course the interception that ultimately sealed their fate.

Really, the game boiled down to Drew Allar’s performance. That was the worst game of his college career and I think he brought it upon himself. Allar lost focus. After declaring his intent to return for his senior season, Allar started having second thoughts after whispers of his potential as a top ten pick began to leak. Instead of shutting them out, Alllar entertained the idea; even back pedaling on his commitment to return. He played tight. He was aiming his throws, trying too hard to be perfect. In the biggest game of his life Allar psyched himself out. That wasn’t even a game Penn State needed Allar to win for them. They only needed him not to lose it.

NFL Wildcard Blowouts
College football fans “owning” NFL loyalists on social media were the biggest losers of the weekend. Looking at you, Joel Klatt. How you can be that ignorant as to not understand the difference between a College Football Playoff blowout and an NFL Playoff blowout. For the final time: Blowouts in the CFP illicit such strong reactions because the system is subjective. There are no clear criteria for earning a playoff berth other than winning your conference. Outside of that, it’s all feelings, opinions and prestige. Naturally, when there is no foundation to what you’ve built, the walls crumble when it goes south. Tennessee and especially Indiana and SMU were in the playoff based solely on opinion. They flopped. People raged. It’s fine. Outside of some minor tweaks to the system I’m not even sure there’s a better way. Just don’t cry about the lack of outrage to an NFL blowout. It’s not at all apples to apples. NFL teams earn their playoff spot based on clear, inarguable objectives. Only an idiot stirs up drama when the facts are this clear.

The Small Details Matter
Ty Johnson holding onto the ball and somehow getting a knee down before his feet touched out of bounds on a 4^th down wing and a prayer was a massive play in Buffalo’s win over Denver. If Josh Allen does not convert there, the Broncos have the ball with just over a quarter to play only down six. I couldn’t believe Buffalo didn’t kick it there to go up two scores. Though it paid off, I still think it was the wrong call.

Something as simple as snapping the football cost the Buccaneers a playoff win. Baker Mayfield was either late with the snap or mishandled it and it led to a turnover inside Tampa Bay’s own 15. On the Bucs ensuing drive, Center Graham Barton forgot the snap count and left Mayfield and the offense out to dry on a 3^rd and 1 at the Washington 12. The Bucs lost yards as a result and kicked the tying field goal. It was a huge gaffe at such a crucial moment. I also thought Mayfield made it worse by pitching the football instead of taking the snap and charging forward. Maybe he gets the first down but at worst it remains 4^th and 1 and you retain the option to go for it.

Drew Allar’s game-altering interception was indefensible and foolish. It also wasn’t entirely his fault. Omari Evans left his quarterback out to dry by losing his line. Instead of holding his line on the in-breaking route, Evans sagged a good yard or more on his in and gave the defender prime position. If Evans runs a clean route there he beats the corner to the football and the ball is caught or incomplete. Evans’ mistake doesn’t absolve Allar of a foolish throw but his seemingly minor error swung the game.

Is Officiating Getting Worse?
There were at least a dozen puzzling calls in the eight playoff games this past weekend. The opening kickoff of the Packers/Eagles matchup was curious. Jeremiah Trotter Jr had his hand on the ball while Keisean Nixon fought to reestablish possession. I guess the officials deemed that was enough to declare Nixon did not solely have possession. As an Eagles fan, I was happy with that outcome but I think the evidence indicated that Nixon had more possession than Trotter.

Matthew Stafford’s flick of the football was ruled an incomplete pass, reversing a Vikings touchdown. Why was that not intentional grounding then? It had to be one or the other.

Pass interference is, in my opinion, the most subjective, inconsistent and frustrating thing about football. When does a catchable ball matter? If the receiver already has no shot at the ball, should pass interference be called? Would the game be better or worse if replay assist aided pass interference calls? I don’t have a good answer. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to assess and call infractions within the speed of the game. I just know it impacts outcomes a great deal and when that is the case something less subjective would be most welcome.

Football is the best.