The Sunday Afternoon Quarterback #18: LSU vs. Clemson-Who Will Win the National Championship?
Tomorrow, January 13, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST the College Football National Champions will be determined at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The number 1 ranked Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers will face off against the number 3 ranked Clemson University Tigers. Which cats will win this final game of the college football season?
Does LSU have somewhat of a home field advantage simply because they are playing in their home state? Or does Clemson have the upper hand as the reigning defending national champions? The college football experts seem divided on the issue.
Based on overall performance this season, the two teams appear to be equally matched. However, Clemson has also proven themselves to be a dominant team when it comes to playoff games. But what happens when you enter a playoff arena in the home state of your opponent? Does the crowd energy in favor of one team help push the odds in their favor?
It certainly helps when the crowd is on your side. But the crowd does not determine who wants the win more. And it always come down to who wants it more despite the odds in favor of one team or another. While LSU has dominated the regular season, Clemson is good enough to take home the national championship title. They have proven that by their also stellar regular season performance as well as the fact they are the defending champions.
Once we get to this point in the season, for any sport really, it is the passion and desire to win that is the final deciding factor. The coaching has been done, the training has been completed, energy and enthusiasm run at an all time high for all the players. And in the heat of the moment, the heart of the competition, it is that desire to win that determines the final outcome.
Predictions don’t matter anymore. The skills and strengths of each team are equally matched. This final moments of the season is when we, as the spectators and fans, should just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the competition and appreciate the athleticism of these dedicated student-athletes who played their asses off all season long to bring them to this point.
It is moments like these that always remind me of the very famous quote by Teddy Roosevelt.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Win or lose, Clemson and LSU have already proven themselves to be the two best teams in college football for the 2019-2020 season. And there is no shame in that. Nothing the critics say can blemish the talent and determination, the passion and the drive, that the two best teams in college football have already exhibited. We as spectators, and as critics, need only to appreciate the triumph of these high achievements.
I don’t have a favorite team in this game, so I put together a fun little outfit honoring both teams…wearing purple and gold for LSU combined with Clemson’s orange and white. I am a neutral observer here, an overall fan of talented athletes, simply cheering for great plays and an exciting match up. May records be broken and superb players be celebrated. Both teams have earned their spot in the National Championship game. May the team who wants it more win the title.
Who are you cheering for?
Unfortunately, we won’t be doing a recap of the game highlights since Jeff is currently on his way to Louisiana for 3 weeks of training. I guess you will have to watch the game yourself! And remember to check out RV Share if ever you want to go enjoy the college football tailgating experience. There really is nothing quite like it.
*Edited on January 14, 2020: The final score of the National Championship game was LSU 42-Clemson 25.
We are keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Jacket and White Top-Target / Sweater-Chaps / Skirt-Thrifted (Loft) / Tights-Sock Dreams / Boots-Charlotte Russe / Necklace-Michal Golan / Earrings-Old / Hair Sticks-Amazon (Exact)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
17 Comments
Jennie
Great look, Shelbee! I am loving the colors and how you incorporated them. You are giving me ideas for what to wear to the office tomorrow! You know which Tigers I will be cheering on… 😉
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennie! I do know which Tigers you will be rooting for. And I think I am leaning that way as well for a variety of reasons. So maybe I need to wear some orange and white sans the purple and gold tomorrow! I am certain you will create the perfect outfit to represent!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very mod. Love it. Going to have to root for Clemson. Saw them live last year in the National Championship at Levi’s Stadium and they turned it on against Alabama. I guess I am just rooting for a good game.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! Whole I am trying to stay neutral and simply rooting for a good game as well, I think I am leaning towards Clemson as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ashley
Love your outfit, Shelbee!! I’m an Ohio State Buckeye, so I’m still a little sore about not being in the championship, haha. We shall see who wins tonight!
https://www.makelifemarvelous.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Ashley! We are Penn Staters here, but in any event, it should be an exciting game!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sherry
You got those colors right!! I love the mod/retro look on you…so fun. Nice and such a pretty backdrop.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Sherry! This outfit made me very happy with all the colors!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lisa Richardson
Well I didn’t really watch it, but my husband said LSU pretty much crushed the Tigers. Love your themed outfit!!! Thanks for linking up with us at Style Six. XO
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lisa! I ended up not watching the game either. I went to bed before it started. But based on the final score, it looks like a crushing occurred!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
Not that I care much about football but since Trevor Lawrence is from Cartersville where we live, I cheered for Clemson for the half hour I watched the game =)
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I didn’t even watch the game, Mireille. I went to bed right at kick off time. But I was silently rooting for Clemson. Lot of good that did!
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire
What a bright and beautiful outfit, Shelbee. I love my mustard colour tights 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays 🙂 Hope you can join us today.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Claire! I love my mustard tights, too. I think they might be the color I wear the most other than black.
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire
I have been spotting things I like in purple too since I saw your post. I have my eye on some purple jeans 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Welcome To The Weekend Blog Hop.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Claire! I am glad I could inspire you on your search for purple! It is such a great color but I have so little of it in my wardrobe. I look forward to seeing how you style purple jeans when you find them. How fun!
xoxo
Shelbee
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