Oklahoma Falls in the First Round, and the Rubber Match Is On
Cleveland State51
Oklahoma21
- Game
- 2029 CFP First Round
- Site
- Neutral site
- Result
- Win
- Record
- 11-3
Vikings 51, Oklahoma 21. A FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF WIN.
Thirty points of daylight against Oklahoma, a program with more trophies in its lobby than I have jerseys in my closet, and folks, that’s thirty-six jerseys. Our first-ever first-round game, and we played it like we’d been doing it for years.
And now: the rubber match. Miami (OH). Third time this season. Quarterfinals. One team’s going home.
I went to Sal’s Monday and I’ll tell you what I saw. The tube was open. Not unrolled, just open. The cap was off, sitting on the counter. Sal said, “Just checking it’s still in there, Mick.” It is. I saw the corner. It’s green. It’s big. Bigger than the old one. I didn’t ask any more questions. Sal didn’t offer any.
Leo Reyes watched this game with me on the porch, bundled up, and told me that after his last Lakers season ended, he’s decided to start training to be a “real football player.” He’s doing push-ups every night. Real ones now, not the lying-down kind. He’s eleven. He’s got time. We all do, friends. That’s the beautiful thing.
Five pierogi.
A thirty-point win over Oklahoma in the first round. I want to note for the record that the Vikings have now won a playoff game in back-to-back seasons, which, if you’d told me that in 2024 while I was eating a pretzel in Lubbock, I’d have asked you to leave the press box.
Now, the third meeting with Miami (OH). I’ve borrowed a ribbon. I’ve studied the bracket. I’ve made a plan, which is to sit very still on the couch while Teresa makes soup.
I called my father Sunday. A good day, a very good one. He knew the record, he knew the opponent, he knew the kid’s name. “Price,” he said. “Price is good.” Then he asked, “Who’s next?” I said, “Miami (OH). Third time.” He laughed and said, “Kenny, in my day if you played a team three times, two of ‘em were fights.” I said, “It’s a little like that now, Dad.” He said, “Then win the fight.”
The Doom Model’s “Rubber Match” tab now has one cell filled in. It says “?” Same as after Tulsa in 2026. I’ve learned to take that as a coin flip.
Back and forth
Back-to-back playoff wins, Kenny!
I’d have thrown you out of the press box for saying that in 2024.
Your dad says win the fight.
He’s been around a long time. I’m taking it as coaching.
Oklahoma handled by thirty, a pennant tube uncapped, an eleven-year-old doing real push-ups, and a father’s coaching for the rubber match: win the fight.
Split Decision is fiction. Mickey Bridges, Ken Hogmanes and The Lakefront Ledger are invented; the games and scores are not.