Clint Lamb
When Elijah Moore got flagged for infamously dog-peeing in the Egg Bowl last season, no one could believe it. Imagine costing your team a win over your biggest rival due to a stupid, unnecessary penalty.
Now imagine that penalty costing your team a chance at the College Football Playoff.
That is exactly what happened to Marco Wilson and Florida on Saturday night. With the game tied up at 34 against LSU, the Gators had forced the Tigers to punt with only minutes left.
But Wilson decided an immature shoe toss was exactly the way he wanted to celebrate the big third-down stop. Yes, it was foggy, but it wasn’t that foggy.
One of the refs saw Wilson and decided to toss something of his own. Unfortunately for Dan Mullen and company, what that ref had to toss gave LSU a first down with a chance to keep driving.
LSU was going to have to punt and then a Florida player threw this shoe. May have killed their playoff chances. One of the dumbest plays I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/wIsllDFvQr
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 13, 2020
And driving is exactly what the Tigers did. They extended the drive five more plays and went 28 yards further downfield to give kicker Cade York a chance at a 57-yard field goal.
By this point, you can probably tell where this is heading. York booted the attempt through the fog and the uprights to give LSU a 37-34 lead.
CADE YORK FROM THE PARKING LOT
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 13, 2020
Yes, Kyle Trask made a few plays to put the Gators back in a position to tie the game. Yes, it would’ve sent it to overtime and saved Wilson. But Evan McPherson missed his 51-yard attempt, ending any chance at Florida making the College Football Playoff.
It’s a tough way to go out, but this is on Florida — and Wilson. He’s young, and I’m sure he will learn from this experience. But your entire season is on the line, and you elect to throw a cleat after a big stop? Come on, man.
Ohio State fans have to be celebrating this outcome as well. It’s extremely doubtful Florida will gets in, even if they get a win in the SEC championship next week.
Now, the Buckeyes just need to convince the Playoff committee to take the team with less games and a conference championship over Texas A&M.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
This is a prime example of why Ohio State shouldn’t get in the playoffs with only playing six games. You never know what happens, even games that are clear winners, there could be an upset.
Well said.
So you’re saying Matthew, that playing more games gives ignorant, selfish athletes a greater chance to prove how stupid and poorly coached they really are? I agree.
If we’ve learned anything this year is that if you are far behind the leader of the pack who proved their merit…just change the rules last minute and let them in anyway.
If that does happen I hope they play Alabama or Clemson at some point and lose 49-0.
Off. The team. Now.
A common problem amongst today’s athletes: It’s all about “me”, and not the team.
TAMU deserves it over Ohio State, they played a very though schedule and only lost to Alabama.
The mighty Buckeyes are going to the playoffs so all of you ankle biters are just going to have to deal with it.
Ooh that dude is hard he threw his shoe. Cool man, you sure showed him. Gots to keep it real, real dumb!
Marco Wilson, from being a player on a football team with a shot at a Natty Championship to becoming the water boy for the women’s soccer team….When keeping it real, goes wrong.
Hahahahah indeed!