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- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from Round 1 of the College Football Playoff.

1. Executive decision.

If you know someone in a position of power at Oklahoma University, please pass along my message. We can’t be parading out 50 Cent with the Sooners in serious danger. We just can’t. Down 10 heading into the fourth quarter of a playoff game, and you’re activating a smoke tunnel for an artist with zero connection to the state? Maybe keep that grand idea in the group chat next time.

2. The little things.

With Alabama up 27-17, Germie Bernard took a handoff for no gain. It may have been my favorite playcall of the entire season. If you remember, Bernard dropped a ball that nailed him square in the chest on the previous down. It was a big missed opportunity, and also pretty stunning to witness; Germie has arguably the surest hands in America. I absolutely loved the wordless message that Kalen DeBoer sent by immediately feeding him again. Stay in it, buddy. We’re going to need you. Remind your most important weapon that you trust him.

What did that silent pep talk result in, you may ask? Well, this.

That’s the most impressed I’ve ever been with DeBoer, quite frankly. Well done.

3. A plea to John Mateer.

Come back to school, man. You’re not ready. Put more healthy ball on tape, get the taste of that catastrophic pick-six out of your mouth, and go chase all of your goals again. This feels fairly obvious to me, regardless of how many great quarterbacks may declare in 2027. You’ll land near the top of that class if you return to campus and cook.

4. One-man show.

Miami’s formula is pretty simple. Give the ball to Malachi Toney, and get out of the way. It’s fun, it’s fascinating, and it’s frankly unprecedented. We’ve never seen a three-star true freshman bear this much responsibility on a playoff team.

This is extremely unsustainable, though. The ‘Canes skated by on Saturday, because Texas A&M’s front seven collectively decided that it didn’t feel like tackling Mark Fletcher. You can’t be this predictable, and conquer all of the elite defenses that remain. Enjoy the feeling while it lasts, Coral Gables.

5. Countdown.

The Aggies picked an awful time to submit the worst performance of their campaign. There are no excuses to speak of, either; they watched Miami miss three field goals, and still couldn’t get the job done at home.

Arch Manning’s bad start to the season torpedoed Texas. Marcel Reed’s rough finish doomed A&M. You know that both of those guys are going to be seething all winter. It’s obviously a long way out, but I’m already excited for the Lone Star Showdown to come around again. I believe the Longhorns and Aggies are each in excellent shape to contend next year.

6. Wet blanket.

I can’t even begin to imagine what Ole Miss fans are feeling at the moment. On one hand, you’re trying to embrace the best team in program history. On the other, you’re wondering if Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy - the top QB-RB duo in the playoff - are about to jump ship, and join the man who backstabbed you. Three wins from a ring, but potentially two weeks from absolute despair. What a wild situation.

Trinidad gave a very noncommittal answer when asked about his future. Lane Kiffin just poached running backs coach Kevin Smith away from Oxford. Buckle up, Mississippi folks. We’re foraying into a period of pure chaos.

7. Matter of time.

Dan Lanning will win a national title at Oregon. Period. When, not if.

It takes a true perfectionist to win a playoff game by 17, and walk into your media session angry. Assuming Lanning does indeed stay with the Ducks for the long haul, that competitive fire is going to yield a championship. No doubt in my mind.

8. Wheels up.

The Bob Chesney era is underway at UCLA.

I’m finding it difficult to envision this hire not working out. So much talent resides in the Southern California region each cycle. At long last, my precious Bruins employ an energetic and ambitious head coach that has a legitimate chance to steer a portion of those kids to Westwood. The fan base is already falling in love after watching Chesney’s introductory presser, and the players will treasure his down-to-earth vibes. No more silent Saturday afternoons in the Rose Bowl.

9. Stop whining.

Yes, the Group of Five is deserving of a guaranteed CFP berth. When the power conferences handle their business, it’s one spot out of 12. Get over it.

I was as mad as anyone about the Notre Dame exclusion, but it’s illogical to whirl around and blame the format. Point the finger at Hunter Yurachek instead. 

Your favorite college basketball team falls on the wrong side of the bubble. I’m pretty sure you don’t direct that ensuing anger at 16th-seeded Longwood, who earned an automatic bid for winning the Big South tournament. Be consistent here.

10. Time to peek ahead.

We’re down to eight, folks. Miami and Ohio State on New Year’s Eve, with ‘Canes fans hoping to avenge the loss that they’ve been thinking about for almost a quarter-century.

Oregon and Texas Tech to open 2026. Alabama and Indiana right after. Ole Miss and Georgia in primetime, from the Superdome. Let’s go.

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“In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. No relation to Dillon.