Welcome to Glass Slipper! A few Jaxon Smith-Njigba toe-taps would put a smile on my face; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

1. Bitter.

Well, Buckeyes? You lost. To be more specific, you got physically dismantled. On 25 days of rest. By a crew that fell to Louisville and SMU. Typing it out made me feel a whole lot worse.

The pain of a season-ending defeat is always multiplied when you know in your soul that a genuine shot to win the title existed. 2015 against Michigan State. 2019 against Clemson. 2022 against Georgia. Add December 31st to the list. Four in eleven years is absolutely brutal. This sport will beat you into the ground if you’re invested enough.

It was a disappointing December for Ryan Day, to say the least. Fortunately for him, I’ve crafted my frustration into an itinerary. Follow my instructions, and we can prevent these emotions from returning…

2. To-Do List.

• Find a bankable kicker.

I’ll allow the great Garrett Wilson to have the floor here.

To be clear, Ohio State did not lose to Miami because of a missed field goal in the second quarter. But having a shaky kicker instills a looming sense of dread on the sideline, and severely alters the offensive mentality. Let’s think through a quick hypothetical together. The Bucks have third-and-10 from the edge of the red zone. They’re trailing by three with five minutes left. Is Julian Sayin going through his progressions with full confidence? Or is he worried about taking a sack, because Jayden Fielding misses over a third of his attempts from beyond 40? You tell me.

• Add a transfer at all five offensive line positions.

You’re Ohio State. The group up front should never be an issue. Bring in hungry players, create intense daily competition, and fix this. What we just witnessed was downright humiliating. It’s a critical nine-month stretch for Tyler Bowen.

• Openly challenge Eddrick Houston, Payton Pierce, Jaylen McClain, and Devin Sanchez.

The Buckeyes managed to craft a historic defense, because they had four program-altering superstars on that side of the ball. Caleb Downs is arguably the best safety in Big Ten history. Kayden McDonald has grinded his way into the first round of mock drafts. Sonny Styles was the Block O recipient, and a deserving one. Arvell Reese will likely be the first defender selected in April. That’s an irreplaceable quartet of leaders walking out the door. This crop of young talent needs to grow up right now; if not, prepare for the 2026 campaign to feature plenty of shootouts.

3. Mario Mayhem.

Instead of focusing on how unlikable certain members of this ‘Canes run are, I’ll choose to be happy for Mario Cristobal. The in-game decision-making has always confounded me, but he’s clearly done an excellent job building this roster. Pursuing Carson Beck is somehow paying off. The discovery and development of Malachi Toney has turned into a massive feather in the cap, as well. Cristobal - often a target for criticism - finally has a chance to silence the skeptics forever. Two wins away.

4. Vitamin C.

Sheesh. Oregon tallies 48 points through three quarters against James Madison, then pitches a shutout in the Orange Bowl. What happens when both units decide to click on the same day?

The Ducks have played four straight quality opponents, and are consistently bringing their B+ stuff. They own a +67 point differential during that stretch. Eugene should be buzzing with confidence.

5. Reload.

I may or may not have been wrong about Behren Morton. That was hard to watch, and I won’t make any excuses for him. It was probably the worst a quarterback has ever played in a CFP contest.

I know the general public doesn’t want to hear this, but the Red Raiders are not going anywhere. Their billionaire booster is eager to fling more cash at the program, and Texas native Brendan Sorsby could be on the way as a result. Utah and Iowa State lost their head coaches, and Sam Leavitt is leaving Tempe. The pathway to the Big 12 championship game - and the bracket - appears quite inviting once again.

6. GOAT conversations.

Ask 100 random people to name the greatest college football team ever, and 2019 LSU is probably your most popular answer. 1995 Nebraska, 2001 Miami, and 2004 USC all get votes. A few older respondents might mention 1945 Army. If Indiana rolls to a ring here, we have a new entrant into the discussion.

14-0. 11 double-digit wins. A +28.2 average scoring margin. The Hoosiers have beaten four top-10 squads, Fernando Mendoza claimed the Heisman Trophy, and Curt Cignetti is the back-to-back Coach of the Year. I’m not sure what other boxes you would want them to check. This is all-time stuff.

7. The fallout.

Ty Simpson needs to declare. It’s not a difficult decision whatsoever. He’s 23, and Alabama folks are ready to see Keelon Russell shine. Take advantage of this thin QB class, and go get your money.

I have no idea what we do about Kalen DeBoer, though. He extended the Tide’s season long enough to safeguard his own job, then proceeded to sink to a new low in Pasadena. Nick Saban dropped two games or fewer for 13 straight campaigns to finish his coaching career. DeBoer has now lost eight of his last 24 contests. I believe our friend Kalen would be a solid NFL offensive coordinator, for whatever that’s worth.

8. Green grass.

This is amazing.

It’s hard not to admire the Rebels’ resolve. The man that they entrusted with their future hopped on a plane to Baton Rouge, and quit on them. Those kids have handled the drama with incredible class, and continue to make the man-child look foolish.

9. Strange world.

2023 Georgia won the national championship game by 58 points. The Dawgs were literally eating wings on the sideline, with time left on the clock. I think the 2025 team - which just got sent home by Pete Golding - beats that squad on a neutral field next week. College football is awfully weird.

10. Time to peek ahead.

One of these four things has to happen 16 days from now.

• Indiana wins its first national title.

• Oregon wins its first national title.

• Ole Miss wins the national title, after its head coach abandoned the school and decimated the staff.

• Miami wins the national title in its home stadium, after recording nine victories or fewer in 20 of the last 22 seasons.

Miami and Ole Miss on January 8th. Oregon and Indiana the following night. No matter what, the next few weeks are going to feel odd. Let’s see how it all unfolds.

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“Canyon Moon” by Harry Styles. Enjoy.