Florida State Falls, and It's the RedHawks a Third Time
Cleveland State49
Florida State14
- Game
- 2036 CFP Semifinal
- Site
- Neutral site
- Result
- Win
- Record
- 14-1
VIKINGS 49, FLORIDA STATE 14. INTO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
Thirty-five points of daylight in the national semifinal. Another first-time opponent. LSU, Auburn, Florida State: three of the biggest names in college football, three blowouts. Fourteen and one, folks. Our sixth trip to the national championship game since 2028, and I counted it twice this time.
And it’s the RedHawks. A third time in three years. The two-time defending national champions. The team that beat us by three last year in the game Cleveland calls The Thing.
Donna’s going. She’s sitting with Nadia. She’s bringing the cape. She’s also bringing, she told me, “a thermos and a plan.” I asked what the plan is. She said, “Michael, the plan is to be there.” That’s always been the plan. That’s always been the whole plan.
Teddy’s folded note is still in my wallet. He said open it after the season. Last season ended with The Thing, and I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. Donna said, “Michael, Teddy didn’t say which season.” She’s right. I’ve decided I’ll know which season when I see it.
Rose, on the phone: “Grandpa, I’m waving the Vikings one. Ohio’s not playing.” I said, “That’s the treaty, sweetheart.” She said, “I’m going to wave it really hard.”
Five pierogi.
A thirty-five-point semifinal win over Florida State. Fourteen and one. The Vikings will play Miami (OH) for the national championship for the third straight year.
Three SEC-or-ACC giants in three playoff games, three blowouts. If there was any doubt that this Vikings team belongs among the best in the country, and among my readers there’s usually one, it’s gone.
The RedHawks have beaten the Vikings five straight times, including two national championship games. They are the best program in the country right now. Nadia says it. Mickey says it, when pressed. I say it in print. I’ll add only what I’ve learned in thirteen years: the streaks in this column always end. The Boulder curse ended. The home losses to Ohio ended. Ohio’s run of titles ended. Every one of them ended when somebody kept showing up.
Nadia, on Tuesday: “Third time, Ken.” I said, “Third time.” She said, “Bet?” I said, “Always.” She took the ribbon out of the trophy and held it up. She said, “Win it back.” I said, “I’ll try.” She said, “Don’t try. Win it.” She’s never told me to win before.
Back and forth
Teddy didn’t say which season.
Donna’s right. You’ll know which one. I trust you to know.
Nadia told you to win.
First time in thirteen years. She held up the ribbon. I’ve never wanted anything back so much.
Florida State falls by thirty-five, the RedHawks a third straight time in the title game, Teddy’s note still waiting for the right season, and Nadia telling Ken, for the first time, to win.
Split Decision is fiction. Mickey Bridges, Ken Hogmanes and The Lakefront Ledger are invented; the games and scores are not.