Losing In The National Championship Game

[TarHeelPhenom]

It takes a lot out of you…at least it did to me. Context….im coaching at the University of Maryland. Playing in the Big 10 is a beast. I’ve had to play Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State back to back to back to back. We conquered Ohio State and Penn State this season, lost to Michigan but it didn’t hurt us. We win the Big 10 title over Nebraska. We go into the CFP as the #1 seed…beat Texas A&M in the quarters, UCF in OT in the semi’s…and faced Oklahoma in the Natty. In all the games I’ve played since this game came out, that Oklahoma game was by far the toughest game I’ve ever played. Their offense stretched me every which way. Their defense was flying all over the place, and there was a point where it looked like they would blow the doors off. But, we stayed the course, and had a chance to win with a minute left in the game. Had the ball, was driving, and threw a pick 6 to lose it….

I’m drained now lol. The thing is, my squad won’t be nearly as good next season as we were this year. We hit in the portal, guys got better, and we had played to our identity to a tee. Next years team won’t be the same, at least in my weary eyes right now. Playing 16 games to lose in the last minute of the Natty is brutal. I’m going on vacation from the game lol.

Anybody else suffered losing the Natty?

[Solidice]

I did in my Fresno State Dynasty, although, I think I lucked into it, was not expecting it that season.

it was the 2026 season, first season for the new PAC-12 I moved Fresno State, Boise State, San Diego State, and Utah State from MWC. brought back USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford, Washington, and Oregon to make 12. division were set to the California schools(south), and the North, which had the non Cali school.

I went 10-2 in the regular season, lost to USC and Oregon. USC won the conference over Oregon.

I got into Playoffs as 7th seed, first game against Washington State, who I did not play against in the regular season. Won that game 35-30, had to hang on to a 2 score lead late.

2nd round is where I though I'll end it for the year, Fiesta Bowl against LSU.
1st quarter was low scoring, LSU led 3-0. 2nd quarter exploded traded TD and FGs, halftime it was 27-21 LSU, LSU scored with 9 seconds left to take the lead.

LSU scored on first drive of the 3rd, went for 2 and failed. 33-21. I responded next drive to make it 33-28. LSU threw a pick. we traded punts, I drove down got to a 4th and goal, and failed. 4:36 to go. force LSU to punt. but I had to punt, force LSU to punt again with 1:44 to go, but had to use 2 timeouts. drove down and scored a TD + 2pt with :15 to go to take the lead 36-33. unexpected win for me.

3rd round was a rematch against USC. this game played out very similar to the LSU game, I was losing for basically the entire game, but kept it close. 28-23 at the half. 2nd half was lower scoring. USC scored first to extend their lead 31-23. I get a TD went for 2 and nearly threw a pick 2 but tackled their guy at the 1. 31-29 USC with 3:45 to go in the game. forced a punt as USC was still trying to throw the ball. 2:08 left after the punt. I actually ended up scoring too fast, got a TD to take a 36-31 lead with 1:17 left. USC gets it back and drives down the field, got into a 4th and 6 at the 11 yard line, and my defense got a very well timed sack to win the game 36-31.

got to the National championship, against Georgia.
actually kept up in the first half, led 14-13 at one point, Georgia 20-14 at the half. 2nd half, just couldn't do anything on offense and ended up losing 39-14.

still have not won a Title in this dynasty, only in the 2030 season though. Have been able to get into the Playoffs the last 4 seasons, but Georgia has beaten me 3 times in the playoffs. Texas the other time. One of the Georgia games I lost 44-7. they just have my number.


I guess difference in mine is my team got better the next season overall, but the season ended again by Georgia in the playoffs 2nd round. my 2030 season looks like it could be good. hoping to finally get back to the Title game. My team is up to a 4 1/2 star prestige now, and ratings wise, one of the top teams.

[BallinVol]

About to play in my first natty in 2026 as Tennessee. 2024 saw the Vols lose in the first round to Ohio State, who went on to win the championship (if that isn't scary lol). 2025 saw the Vols make it back to the playoffs and get a round 1 win, but lost in the 2nd round to Clemson. Penn State went on to win the championship in 2025.

2026 saw the Vols drop to 18th at one point in the season after a 24 to 19 loss to Texas A&M at home and a 38 to 35 loss to Texas on the road. Needless to say, Texas hasn't been kind to the Vols. Either way, through some tough games, the Vols found themselves back in the playoffs for the 3rd straight year after posting another 10-2 regular season campaign. Alabama went on to win the SEC championship over Georgia. Tennessee has yet to make it to the SEC Championship in my dynasty.

Tennessee took on defending champions Penn State in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, knocking them off 24 to 17 at Neyland Stadium. Awaiting the Vols in the 2nd round was first round bye and Big Ten champions Illinois. Tennessee was tested early, but eventually took over the game in route to a 31 to 10 victory and getting past the 2nd round for the first time.

In the Semi-finals, the Vols would face the ACC champions, the Virginia Cavaliers. Once again, the Vols were tested early, but Tennessee used a huge field goal block returned for a touchdown. The field goal would have made it a 7 point game in the 3rd quarter, however, the 10 point swing gave the Vols a 24 to 7 lead. The Vols went on to win 34 to 21, returning to the National Championship for the first time since 1998.

Awaiting the Vols in the National Championship is 14-2 Boise State. The 12th seed Broncos used playoff wins against Georgia, TCU and Oklahoma to make their first trip to the national championship game.

We will see how this goes. I just hope we don't come out flat and keep playing with the swagger we've been playing with in the post season. We've definitely been a different team in the playoffs, so here's to hoping we can keep it up!

[TarHeelPhenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by BallinVol

About to play in my first natty in 2026 as Tennessee. 2024 saw the Vols lose in the first round to Ohio State, who went on to win the championship (if that isn't scary lol). 2025 saw the Vols make it back to the playoffs and get a round 1 win, but lost in the 2nd round to Clemson. Penn State went on to win the championship in 2025. 2026 saw the Vols drop to 18th at one point in the season after a 24 to 19 loss to Texas A&M at home and a 38 to 35 loss to Texas on the road. Needless to say, Texas hasn't been kind to the Vols. Either way, through some tough games, the Vols found themselves back in the playoffs for the 3rd straight year after posting another 10-2 regular season campaign. Alabama went on to win the SEC championship over Georgia. Tennessee has yet to make it to the SEC Championship in my dynasty. Tennessee took on defending champions Penn State in the first round of the 2026 playoffs, knocking them off 24 to 17 at Neyland Stadium. Awaiting the Vols in the 2nd round was first round bye and Big Ten champions Illinois. Tennessee was tested early, but eventually took over the game in route to a 31 to 10 victory and getting past the 2nd round for the first time. In the Semi-finals, the Vols would face the ACC champions, the Virginia Cavaliers. Once again, the Vols were tested early, but Tennessee used a huge field goal block returned for a touchdown. The field goal would have made it a 7 point game in the 3rd quarter, however, the 10 point swing gave the Vols a 24 to 7 lead. The Vols went on to win 34 to 21, returning to the National Championship for the first time since 1998. Awaiting the Vols in the National Championship is 14-2 Boise State. The 12th seed Broncos used playoff wins against Georgia, TCU and Oklahoma to make their first trip to the national championship game. We will see how this goes. I just hope we don't come out flat and keep playing with the swagger we've been playing with in the post season. We've definitely been a different team in the playoffs, so here's to hoping we can keep it up!

I hope you can get that dub!

[illwill10]

In my Texas A&M dynasty, I literally blew a 24 point lead in the 4th Quarter of the National Championship game lol. They literally turned it up and torched my defense. It went up "No way I'm losing" to "Let me stop playing around" to "Oh crap, I'm going to lose this game". We gave up like 550 yards passing and a 200 yard WR. I think I might have had a turnover, but I mainly went cute with playcalling and quick 3 and outs. I think it got to a point where I had a lead with seconds left. I called a Cover 4 and backed off, but their WR still managed to get behind my defense and catch the game winning TD.


After that game, I put a major emphasis on DBs. I could always get pressure/sacks without blitzing and could contain run game, but pure Coverage was my defensive weakness.

[BallinVol]

Quote: Originally Posted by TarHeelPhenom

I hope you can get that dub!

Well it was not meant to be. The Boise State Broncos are your 2026 National Champions after a hard fought 21-15 victory over Tennessee.

Boise completes the Cinderella story with wins over Georgia, TCU, Oklahoma and now Tennessee.

What sucks is i was driving with a minute to go. I had it 4th and 2 with the game on the line, my receiver breaks open and I panicked and hit the wrong button and it fell incomplete ��.

Great season nonetheless, but still very disappointed. I felt like this was our greatest shot at it for the foreseeable future, so it really stings. I think we will take a step backward next season, as we are losing 21 seniors, as well as our leader on offense Nico Ialameava to the draft. 5 star WR Mike Matthews will be joining him along with 5 other playmakers on both sides of the ball, so its likely we take a step back this coming season.

Now I must got sob in my defeat lol

[TarHeelPhenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by BallinVol

Well it was not meant to be. The Boise State Broncos are your 2026 National Champions after a hard fought 21-15 victory over Tennessee. Boise completes the Cinderella story with wins over Georgia, TCU, Oklahoma and now Tennessee. What sucks is i was driving with a minute to go. I had it 4th and 2 with the game on the line, my receiver breaks open and I panicked and hit the wrong button and it fell incomplete 😔. Great season nonetheless, but still very disappointed. I felt like this was our greatest shot at it for the foreseeable future, so it really stings. I think we will take a step backward next season, as we are losing 21 seniors, as well as our leader on offense Nico Ialameava to the draft. 5 star WR Mile Matthews will be joining him, so its likely we take a step back this coming season. Now I must got sob in my defeat lol

Sounds a lot like my story unfortunately. I was rooting for you my guy!

[sherrane]

Quote: Originally Posted by TarHeelPhenom

It takes a lot out of you…at least it did to me. (snipped) Anybody else suffered losing the Natty?

Yes and I had a schedule similar to yours last week. In a relegation dynasty, I led Toledo to the Big 12 (on the way to the ACC). Last game of the season and I'm playing at Washington State (the week after a non-Conference game at Texas) and I'm hoping to win and and a Kansas State win to avoid back-to-back matchups vs Wazzu. Well, I win and K-State loses so a Wazzu rematch. Luckily I hold on to win a second time and get a 1st round bye as the #3 seed (Texas, my only loss, is #1). I sim playoff week 1 and I'm playing... #11 Washington State!!!! I barely hold on and go 3-0 against them, winning by a combined margin of 15 points. I then have #2 Georgia who I manage to get past to play... #1 Texas. At this point I understand why some SEC teams schedule cupcakes late in the season. I lose to Texas in the championship game.


My schedule was:
at 10-0 Texas
at 10-1 Washington State
vs 10-2 Washington State (Conference Championship Game)
vs 11-2 Washington State (Playoff quarter final)
vs 12-2 Georgia (Playoff semi-final)
vs 15-0 Texas (Playoff Championship)


2 games Friday, 2 games Saturday, 2 games Sunday. I usually do the offseason immediately after the championship game is played since I am in it less than half the time. I was done after losing to Texas the second time. I felt like I ran a marathon.