The First Rule of the Playground

Could not help but think of my father, WPK, Sr., on Friday night as I watched Ohio State obliterate Clemson in the CFP National Semi-Final, 49-28.  One of the best pieces of advice he ever gave me was "Never Violate the First Rule of the Playground:  Never Write a Check with Your Mouth that Your Hands Can't Cover".  

Dabo Swinney, the Tigers' exceptionally-successful head coach, violated that rule in the run-up to Friday night's game.  In the final Coaches' Poll before the post-season (and after Ohio State had been selected for the four-team playoff AND had been named as Clemson's opponent in the National Semi-Final), Swinney voted the Buckeyes #11 in his Top Twenty-Five.  He had ranked his own Tigers #2.

Coach Swinney now has the off-season to choke down his dinner of crow and humble pie, served cold of course. The best revenge always is.  Presently, Ohio State is busy preparing for its January 11 date in the National Championship Game with Alabama, which took Notre Dame about behind the woodshed in the other Semi-Final.  Early on, oddsmakers have installed the Tide as a touchdown favorite over the Buckeyes.  While I have no idea who will win next Monday night, I am reasonably confident saying that I doubt Coach Ryan Day or his players give a rat's ass about the odds.  

-AK