The CFP quarterfinals have come and gone and with a lone exception the first-round bye was once again unkind to teams, with the purported top-4 seeds falling to a combined 1-7 in the two-year history of the 12-team playoff. However, a midwest school was able to buck that trend, set up an anticipated semifinal rematch, and ensures the Big Ten will be playing for a national title for the third consecutive season.

In the first game, Ohio State was befuddled by a violent Miami front seven. The Hurricanes, with few exceptions, kept Ohio State's offense bottled up with seven tackles for loss, including five sacks. Heisman finalist Julian Sayin threw for 287 yards, but had two interceptions -- including a crucial pick-six in a decisive second quarter that gave Miami a 14-0 lead. Has Clinton recovered? And where does he think things went wrong for Ohio State?

In the early New Years Day game, Oregon's defense out-dueled Texas Tech's elite unit with a 23-0 win. Dan Lanning seemingly had little concern for the Red Raiders's offense with multiple fourth-down conversion attempts near midfield. Like Miami, the Ducks had seven TFLs, including four sacks, and picked off Texas Tech Behren Morton twice.

In the catharsis matchup of the day, Indiana did to Alabama what so many Saban-era 'Bama teams did to others, with a smothering 38-3 win that was never in doubt. The Hoosiers stifled the Tide running game, and battled QB Ty Simpson out of the game. The win sets up a rematch with Oregon in this Friday's Peach Bowl.

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