The Degenerate Digest v.153
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
I mean, look at that Final Four graphic. It’s a thing of beauty, and more importantly, a breath of fresh air. This is the positive side of the NIL-transfer portal era of college football. Until the blue bloods with all the money in the world figure out how to rig the system in their favor, there is plenty of room for parity. There’s a reason I mentioned last week that I don’t have a clear cut favorite. This is exactly why. How much shit do you think anyone would have gotten if this was their predicted Final Four back in August? Scoffed at is the lightest form of a description. This is what makes college football the best product on the planet.
The quarterfinals told us a lot. They not only led us to the conclusion above, parity early in the NIL wild west, but they also provided us with some key notes to take into the semi’s…
Miami’s defensive line is nightmare fuel. Freddy Kruger esc. There is nothing you can do to stop them. Just accept your fate and move on.
Indiana is more than for real.
Ole Miss is playing with some Varsity Blues mentality, all their homies hate Lane Kiffin
Oregon is Oregon, question-mark(?)
These semifinals should be a treat. I stand by the idea that with great parity comes great variability. Everybody wants to rule the world.
(10) Miami v (6) Ole Miss: Miami -3, Under 52.5
I would be lying if I said I had any sense of confidence in these picks. It’s still Miami, and it’s still an ACC program that is looking up at a Duke Blue Devils team holding the trophy this season. Ole Miss has the 4th best passing offense in the country. Miami sits at 44th in passing defense. The U also sits at 50th in yards per game, compared to the Rebels - 2nd overall. Stats wise, this is Mississippi’s game to lose. However…
With great parity, comes great variability. There is just an overall vibe and aura to this Miami team right now that cannot, and will not here at Joey Digest HQ, be overlooked. The belt to ass movement is real. And while I might not enjoy the antics of Michael Irving, the dude is fueling this team with more energy and willpower than Venezuela’s oil reserves will do to US households for the next decade. The most dominant teams in this sport own the line of scrimmage. Miami’s defensive line is out for blood. Mario Cristobal will need to bring a strong gameplan on offense to make sure drives are extended. Slow, methodical. 4-6 yard chunks each play. Make sure your defense remains rested for 4 quarters. That way when Trinidad ‘Franzia Chablis’ Chambliss is on the field, Reuben Bain Jr. can come in and slap the bag.
Did I mention Hotty Toddy’s defense is 66th against the run? Have a day, Mark Fletcher Jr.
Final Score: Miami 27, Ole Miss 23
(5) Oregon @ (1) Indiana: Indiana -3.5
Is this finally our year to corner the Oregon Duck market with eagle-eye precision? That’s certainly the plan! (So congrats to the Oregon Ducks on making the natty!)
If I had to say what team I’m most confident in not only in this round, but to win the National Championship, it's Indiana at this point. I don’t want to bury the lead and open with that, because cool nice job Joey Digest, you picked the favorite in the Final Four yeehaw you’re an expert. With that said, it’s pretty hard not to look at this team, on and off the field, and know they have the best chances. Heisman winning QB whose mom has MS, and his brother is the backup QB. Saban disciple carving his own path to greatness. A starved program back in the limelight. Locker room vibes off the charts. It fits the college football landscape perfectly. They have to finish the story, right?
Right. They will finish the story. Analytics say this game should be a pick’em, but that’s what I like about the spread. It might be close for a moment or two, but the resilience this team has will win out - and once again, it will be won via the trenches. Cignetti will run this up if he has the opportunity to do so.
Final Score: Indiana 28, Oregon 24
Running Record: (375-312-7)
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