Powerhouses Fallen. Underdogs Rising. Chaos Wins
Before the season had started, nobody would’ve picked these four teams to be in the Semi Finals. The new format allows for different teams to gain momentum and make a run in the playoffs. All four head coaches in these matchups will get to experience the Semi Finals for the first time in their careers. The known powerhouses in the sport have been eliminated and it seems like it’s anyone's trophy.
Indiana Hoosiers vs Oregon Ducks
Both of these teams look to keep the National Championship trophy within the Big 10 conference for the third consecutive season. Head coaches Dan Lanning and Curt Cignetti have had confidence in their teams throughout the entirety of the season and expected to make it here. The Hoosiers come into this Semi Final game as a slight favorite but, as we know the playoffs are hard to predict.
The First Matchup
The Hoosiers were able to beat the Ducks 30-20 in early October. Both teams have grown since then but, the talent on each side looked to be quite even. In the first battle, Indiana was able to win the game by being balanced on offense and creating turnovers on defense. Both teams had success in the passing game as they were able to find some favorable matchups. The biggest factor in the game: the turnover battle (2-1 Hoosiers). Turnovers are very important in these equal talent matchups and Indiana had the edge the first time around. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza made a name for himself during this game as he was able to make the right decisions for his team to win. The Ducks will need to be more prepared for him as they go into the Semi Finals.
Keys to the Game
Rushing Battle: Running the ball effectively will allow each of these teams to operate their offenses efficiently. Both teams average 200+ rushing yards per game and they will both look to establish the run early.
Turnover Battle: In the first matchup, Indiana won the turnover battle. Turnovers are critical to wins and losses throughout the season. Both teams will have to play clean as the winner of this game will most likely create more turnovers.
Quarterback Pressure: Both teams will look to impact the opposing teams quarterback with different pressures. Both teams excel in this area and whoever gets the most pressure will have the best chance to win.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers will look to grab an early lead in the game as the Ducks have had difficulty coming back from early deficits. On defense, Indiana will look to create 3rd and long situations for Dante Moore as they do most of their damage on early downs. They must limit the explosive plays from the Ducks and stopping them on early downs will help that.
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks must slow the game down with slower tempo on offense. Control the clock with their rushing attack and take shots when needed. Oregon will look to stretch the field with their talented receivers and find favorable matchups. On defense, the Ducks must be better against the Hoosier receivers as they were beat down field quite a bit in the first matchup.
Impact Players
Charlie Becker: Becker has come onto the scene late in the season. He is a speedy big receiver that matches up well with virtually any cornerback in college football. The Ducks will be focused on Surratt and Cooper Jr. and Becker will get his opportunity to shine.
Dante Moore: Projected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming draft but still has lots to prove before he moves on. In the first matchup he struggled with interceptions but has the opportunity to right the ship. Moore has improved greatly since their first matchup and must be efficient to give his team a chance to win.
Prediction: 21-17 Indiana
Indiana looks to be unstoppable but Dan Lanning will have his team ready and it will be a competitive game until the clock runs out. This game will be very entertaining and physical but Indiana will eventually pull away. Charlie Becker will be a major impact as he will beat the Ducks in the first half which will open up Surratt and Cooper later on. Dante Moore plays well but makes small mistakes that will ultimately cost them a chance to compete for a title. Indiana will have an opportunity to win their first National Championship under 2nd year head coach Curt Cignetti.
Ole Miss Rebels vs Miami Hurricanes
These two teams have embraced the underdog mentality going into the playoffs. Most analysts and fans across the country predicted them to lose in the quarterfinals. They will have their shot to prove to the country that they belong in the National Title conversation. These teams have relied on their experience throughout the playoffs as they have veteran players on their rosters.
Keys to the game
Quarterback Pressure: Both teams have been stout in creating pressure on their opposing quarterbacks. They will look to do the same as quarterbacks in college struggle getting to their reads quickly.
Quarterback Run: Both teams rely heavily on their quarterbacks to keep drives alive. Chambliss is one of the premier dual threat quarterbacks in the sport and will look to extend drives with his legs. Carson Beck must do the same as he was able to get crucial third down conversions in the quarterfinals which ultimately propelled his team to victory.
Ole Miss Rebels
Once again the Rebels will face more distractions as coaches continue to leave for LSU. They will have to stay focussed, play with physicality, and rely on their leadership. The Rebels are the fastest team in the country in running plays on offense and will look to keep the tempo going. In the quarterfinals Miami struggled with Ohio State’s tempo in the 2nd half causing their best players to come off the field. Ole Miss will have to play fast and tire out the Hurricanes D-line. The offense will also look to stretch the field and get the ball out quickly to their talented ball carriers. The Rebels want a high scoring affair as Miami has struggled to score points in this playoff.
Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes shocked the world in the quarterfinals and it wasn’t a fluke. Many people around the country believe this is the most physical team. On offense, the Hurricanes will look to control the game with their rushing attack. Mark Fletcher has come on the scene lately and will look to control the game by picking up chunk yardage. On defense, the Hurricanes have been able to win off of turnovers. They will look to pressure the quarterback with their stout D-Line and force the Rebels into mistakes. Miami will have to get crucial third down stops as the Rebels have a 45% conversion rate. Opposite of the Rebels, the Hurricanes want a low scoring game where they control the time of possession.
Impact Players
Trinidad Chambliss: Chambliss willed his team to victory against the Georgia Bulldogs and looks to be peaking at the right time. He will need to be explosive in this game attacking Miami’s secondary downfield and picking up first downs with his legs. If Chambliss can play 75% as good as he did in the quarterfinals I like the Rebels chances.
Miami D-Line: In the Cotton Bowl they were able to disrupt Ohio State’s potent offense by pressuring Julian Sayin. They will have to get pressure against Chambliss but stay disciplined as he can hurt you with his legs. If they are able to pressure the quarterback and keep him in the pocket they will keep the Rebels offense in check. They will need to create negative plays to slow down the tempo from the opposing offense.
Prediction: 28-24 Ole Miss
The Rebels magical run continues as they head to the National Title game without Lane Kiffin. Miami will struggle early with the Rebels fast tempo on offense and eventually give up explosive plays. The Hurricanes will be strong on offense but will lack fire power in a high scoring game. Trinidad Chambliss will have analysts predicting him as a top quarterback after he leads his team to victory.
New Year, New Battles: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Preview
After a lackluster first round of the playoffs, the quarterfinals look to do the opposite. On paper this slate of games may be the best we have ever seen.The teams coming off a bye from the first round look to change the outcomes from last season as the first four seeds fell short in their respective quarterfinal games. We have rematches, out of conference matchups and revisited rivalries. What a great way to bring in the new year!
MIAMI VS OHIO STATE
These two teams look to rekindle the hard fought rivalry games from the early 2000s. The odds of this game are lopsided but the playoffs are always unpredictable.
Keys to the game:
Miami has an underdog mindset going into every playoff game. They were able to sneak into the playoffs when many counted them out. The Hurricanes have one of the most talented rosters in the country and should be able to compete with anyone. Their pass rush is incredible as they likely have two first round talents on the edge. They will need to disrupt the Buckeyes passing attack by getting pressure on Julian Sayin. On the outside, they must contain OSUs wide receivers and limit the explosive downfield plays. Offensively, the Hurricanes will have to play much better than the first round as the Buckeyes have the #1 defense in the country. Keep Carson Beck protected and allow the running backs to control the game. When throwing the ball, Miami must attack CB Lorenzo Styles as he was recently exposed in the Big 10 championship game. If they can play physical and win the LOS they have a chance to move on to the Semi Finals.
Ohio State looks to replicate what they were able to do last year and avenge their loss going into the playoffs. The Buckeyes were dominant last year and they were able to do so by using their best players. Ohio State will look to gain an early lead in this game by taking shots downfield. The recipe is simple, be yourselves. If the Buckeyes can play the way they have played all season long except the Big 10 championship they will be very tough to beat. Offensively, they will use their WRs to take advantage of Miami’s weaker secondary. They will need to protect Sayin so he has time to make the right reads. The only weakness has been their red zone offense. They will need to figure it out in this game as every possession counts. Defensively, OSU needs to make Carson Beck uncomfortable. Throughout Beck’s career he has really struggled against pressure resulting in turnovers. If the defense shows up in the game then the Buckeyes have a great chance even with a mediocre offensive performance.
Prediction: I believe the Buckeyes come out swinging early and it’s going to be too much for this Miami team to handle. The Hurricanes are very talented but seem to be outmatched as the Buckeyes are a force to be reckoned with. Ohio State (24), Miami (10)
OREGON VS TEXAS TECH
At the start of the season, nobody could have predicted this matchup. Texas Tech will be in the playoffs for the first time in program history. Oregon will look to show them they don’t belong.
Keys to the game:
Oregon had the easiest first round draw in the playoffs and were able to showcase their talent. Hopefully, the Ducks didn’t put much on film for Tech as they have been gameplanning for weeks. The Ducks looked to give up some easy yards to JMU which is concerning as the Red Raiders have one of the most explosive offenses in the country. If the Ducks can fix some of their defensive issues and limit the explosive plays it will bode well for them. Offensively, they need to replicate the game plan and explosive plays they had in the first round. Winning the rushing battle will most likely result in an Oregon victory.
Texas Tech is the Indiana of last year's playoffs. Many didn’t believe that they could make it this far but they did. The Red Raiders will look to take advantage of the Ducks inconsistent defense. Use the running game to open up the explosive plays downfield. Tech will look to control the clock and create a tight game leading into the fourth quarter. LB Jacob Rodriguez will be an important player in this game as many regard him as one of the top players in the country. He will need to cause chaos against the Ducks rushing attack and cause turnovers.
Prediction: This game will be an instant classic as both teams have very similar traits. I believe it will come down to whichever team has possession last. The coin flip at the start of this game may very well decide on who moves on. Texas Tech (38), Oregon (35)
ALABAMA VS INDIANA
If anybody told you that these two teams would be facing off in the playoffs you would think they were crazy. Big Guy vs Little Guy matchup on paper but, the Hoosiers are actually favored to win this game.
Keys to the game:
Alabama is an underdog to Indiana? Yes, the Hoosiers look to be the better team but Alabama can compete with anyone in the country. Mistakes have caused the Crimson Tide to fall short a couple of times this season and they must be sharp in this one to have a chance. Ty Simpson will once again be a major factor in this game as he must play clean. The rushing attack for Alabama has been disappointing all year but, if they can get going against this Hoosier defense they can benefit from it. Defensively, the Crimson Tide have a tall task at hand as they will be facing the Heisman Trophy winner in Fernando Mendoza. They will need to get Mendoza to beat them with his arm and force him into contested throws. Get out to an early lead (two scores) and try to maintain it throughout the majority of the game.
Indiana is the #1 team in the country for a reason and look to be ready for the moment this time around. The Hoosiers must play their brand of football and not let the stage get too big for them. If they can replicate their play from throughout the season on defense and offense they will be able to win this game. Their goal in this game will be to pressure Ty Simpson which will lead to mistakes. Let your best players control this game!
Prediction: After looking at the weather forecast (rain), I am even more inclined to pick Indiana. The Hoosiers have been able to win every game this season in many different ways. They can complete comebacks, be dominant, or compete in low scoring affairs. As long as the moment isn’t too big for them they will win. Indiana (31), Alabama (10)
OLE MISS VS GEORGIA
A rematch of possibly the most competitive game of the season. The Bulldogs went behind in the game by multiple scores but eventually overcame that deficit and beat the Rebels. Ole Miss looks to return the favor as many know that it is hard to beat a good team twice.
Keys to the game:
Ole Miss looked unfazed after losing their head coach before the playoff as they dominated Tulane. The Bulldogs will be a much more talented team but they have had the opportunity to look into the first matchup film. The Rebels will look to get off to an early lead against Georgia once again but they must keep it. Defensively, they will need to stop the outside screen passes and heavy rushing attack as the Bulldogs will look to wear you down. Force them into 3rd down and long situations and rely on your defense. QB Chambliss will have an impact in this game by keeping drives alive with his legs. Ole Miss likes to play fast but must slow it down to control the clock and keep the ball away from the Bulldogs.
Georgia looks like the most dominant team going into the playoffs as they are peaking at the right time. The Bulldogs must win the LOS which will cause the Rebels to get tired. Once they get tired, Georgia must take advantage. In the first matchup, they ran a lot of screen passes to move the ball downfield. This time around they should look to attack downfield early and show Ole Miss that they can do that as well. This will open up their vaunted rushing attack which can control the game. Limit the explosive plays from the Rebel offense and beat them with physicality.
Prediction: This will be a much different game the second time around as both teams are familiar with each other. I believe it will be a close game going into the fourth quarter but the Bulldog mentality will wear the Rebels down late. Georgia (17), Ole Miss (10)
CFP First Round Preview: Matchups, Game Plans, and Predictions
The college football playoff is a week away and it's time to dive into these first round matchups. Many fans across the country are confused as to why the committee scheduled the most anticipated matchups in the inferior timeslots. Well, the reason for this scheduling is due to the NFL. Before the 12 team playoff existed the NFL decided to spread out their schedule and use Saturday’s to do so. This was a perfect scenario for the NFL as the college football playoffs never interfered with Saturdays and they were able to boost their ratings. The NFL still occupies these timeslots and the committee decided to make sure the more extensive matchups don’t interfere.
ALABAMA VS OKLAHOMA
In week 12 of the college football regular season these two teams faced off in Tuscaloosa. The Sooners came out victorious which essentially gave them home field advantage in this game.
Keys to the game:
Oklahoma will have a similar game plan this time around as they were able to disrupt the passing game with pressure and rely on their secondary to create turnovers. John Mateer will be a huge factor in this game. He will have to extend plays with his legs and find some open receivers. They were able to get pressure on the quarterback in the last matchup without their best pass rusher (R. Mason Thomas). He will be available in this game and will be a possible game changer. The Sooners will need to take points whenever they can get them and rely on their defense to win this game.
Alabama has won and lost games depending on their quarterback’s play. As of late, Ty Simpson has struggled and that has been due to the opponents pass rush. The offensive line will have to hold up against a feisty Oklahoma D-line. The Crimson Tide have had some issues with turnovers throughout the season and will have to win the turnover battle to have a chance to come out victorious. Their offensive game plan should consist of quick throws to the boundary to open up some downfield opportunities. Alabama struggled against Mateer in the first matchup and will have to contain him in the pocket and force him to beat them with his arm. It is very important that they get out to an early lead as the Sooners aren’t built to come back in games.
Prediction: As we all know, the hardest thing to do in college football is beat a good team twice. I believe the Crimson Tide will be able to write their wrongs from the first matchup and come out with a close victory. The Sooners will come out looking flat due to the long layoff between games and the Tide will take advantage. Ty Simpson plays efficiently without turning over the ball and adjusts from the first matchup. Oklahoma will make an attempt to come back into this game but will run out of time at the end. Alabama (21), Oklahoma (17)
TULANE VS OLE MISS
Earlier in the season, the Rebels steam rolled the Green Wave winning by 35 points at home. Tulane has grown throughout the season but they are still major underdogs going into this playoff.
Keys to the game:
Ole Miss is one of the most talented teams in the country but losing Lane Kiffin to LSU will be a major factor in this game. The Rebels defeated the Green Wave by playing aggressive and relying on their talented players. They will need to be themselves without Kiffin and play up to their standards. Feed off of the home crowd and use that against Tulane.
Tulane has their work cut out for them as the Rebels are the far more superior team. They will need to surprise the Rebels on their opening drive utilizing Jake Retzlaff’s legs. They will need to control the clock throughout the game keeping the Rebel offense on the sideline. On defense, they need to be able to limit the explosive plays and keep everything in front of them. If Tulane is able to keep this game close in the final stages then they will have a good chance to win the game.
Prediction: Even though it is hard to beat a team twice I believe the Rebels pull away late to win the game. Lane Kiffin’s departure will impact the start of the game but eventually the Rebels pull away with it. Ole Miss (31), Tulane (20)
JMU VS OREGON
The G6 teams are rooting for JMU as they were able to occupy two playoff spots this season. The question all fans want to know is: Do they belong? This game will give us those answers.
Keys to the game:
Oregon has been playing their best football of the season going into this game. They didn’t make their conference championship game this year which gives their injured players more time to get healthy. When healthy, the Ducks have one of the most talented rosters in the country. Similar to Ole Miss, the Ducks will have to be themselves and dictate the game on their terms. Autzen Stadium is one of the best environments in college football and now they get to host their first playoff game. Oregon will be able to win this game handily and shouldn’t put too much on tape for the rest of the teams in the playoffs.
JMU is a 21 point underdog in this matchup. The Dukes will have to compete with the best in this game and show the country that they belong. They will need to battle and try and keep this game as close as possible. If the game is respectable it can be a huge program builder.
Prediction: This game will be a blowout. We will look into this game in the offseason and truly decide if the G6 teams even belong in the playoff. Oregon moves on to the quarterfinals with the easiest first round draw. Oregon (38), JMU (6)
MIAMI VS TEXAS A&M
This is possibly the best matchup of the first round. Both teams will have a similar game plan going into this game. In my opinion Kyle Field is the best atmosphere in college football and is perfect to host a first round playoff game.
Keys to the game:
Texas A&M is coming off of their first loss of the season to their rival. Remember what happened last season when a team lost their rivalry game going into the playoffs? They ended up winning it all. The Aggies will look to follow in the same footsteps but they need to resolve some issues first. They have been into some close games this season and it is due to the pressure their opponents raise against Marcel Reed. They will have to protect their quarterback throughout this game and keep him on schedule. He will need to utilize his legs in this matchup when pressured instead of forcing the ball into coverage. On defense the Aggies will have to be sound tacklers as they have been poor in the open field all season.
Miami is very excited to be in the playoffs after they thought they would be left out. The Hurricanes have a chip on their shoulder as many believe they didn’t deserve to be here. Similar to the Aggies they will need to protect Carson Beck as he is turnover prone when pressured. They will also need to control the clock and win the rushing battle in all quarters. Rely on your D-Line that’s regarded as the best in college football and create chaos early. If the Hurricanes can silence the Aggie crowd they will have a great chance to win.
Prediction: This game will be an instant classic and the only problem will be that it's at noon. Both teams will come out swinging and they will go score for score throughout the entirety of the game. Texas A&M will win this game on a late field goal and move onto a tough matchup in the quarterfinals Texas A&M (31), Miami (28)
Ohio State: Journey to being champs
Arguably the most impressive college football playoff run we will ever see! (even with the two losses)
The National Champions were crowned last night as The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Atlanta. This is a relief for the Buckeyes as they haven’t won a title since 2014 under Urban Meyer. They managed to go 14-2 on the season while knocking off five top 5 teams, and two other teams ranked in the top 10. The Buckeyes are now the only team in history to have won a BCS championship, 4-team National Championship and the 12-team championship. Granted, this is the first rendition of the 12 team format. Ohio State was able to win the first renditions of both playoffs and continue to build their overall program resume.
At the beginning of these playoffs the Buckeyes were questioned as they have “the most expensive roster in the country” but, they ended up under achieving in the regular season. The regular season ended in a loss to their biggest rival as 19 point favorites. Head coach Ryan Day was scrutinized the most as he has had arguably the most talented roster in the country for a couple of years now. The Buckeyes and Day were not able to win when it mattered most. The pressure at Ohio State is indescribable and when the Buckeyes don’t bring championships home to Columbus you can face a lot of scrutiny. Everyone in the country, even in the state of Ohio, seemed to have written off the Buckeyes after they didn’t win a conference championship and suffered a loss to their rival. Many believed they shouldn’t have been invited into the 12
team playoff.
Ryan Day and his Buckeyes soon put all the critics and negative statements to rest as they played Tennessee at home in the first round. They ended up tearing them apart and earned some of their fan bases hope and support back. The next game they had to travel to Pasadena and play the number one undefeated team in the country. Many believed that it was a one game fluke against Tennessee and that they wouldn't be able to defeat the Ducks. They were wrong, as they were able to avenge their loss from earlier in the regular season as they dismantled Oregon. Along the way the Buckeyes were doubted but, going into the semi final game against Texas they were favored and basically penciled into the national title game according to the majority of folks. This can be tough on a team and it puts even more pressure on the Buckeyes. The Longhorns were fortunate that they got to be the underdogs and basically having home field advantage as the game was in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State ended up winning this game, but they did not look as dominant as the previous two games. They looked beatable for once in the playoffs and this adds more pressure for the final game of the season. Last night the Buckeyes played aggressive, relentless and physical. No matter who was on the other side of the field the Buckeyes were not going to allow another team to hoist that trophy.
Ohio State really benefited from the new playoff format. In previous years you would not be able to lose two games in a season, let alone one game. This format allows teams to have an off week and grow throughout the season. The resilience the Buckeyes were able to display in these playoffs was arguably the reason they were granted so much success. All of the draftable players that decided to come back for one last year, the transfers they got in the portal, the recruits and even the NIL donations. This year really was “natty or bust” as Ohio State pushed in all of their chips to get to this moment. Ryan Day and his team went through so much adversity throughout this season. They fought through injuries, losses, and most importantly media and negativity. But, no one stood in their way, they all worked extremely hard for this result and they deserve credit. Now that the game is over and they are champions, Ryan Day has a weight lifted off of his shoulders. He still needs to beat Michigan next year but I believe this playoff run taught him a lot. Just trust your players and play to your strengths. It was able to win you a national title. Why can’t it work in the regular season? Next year the Buckeyes will turn over a new page in their story book as they will be faced with a lot of roster turnover. The Buckeyes will be fine as they always replenish talent and have their two best players in Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs coming back. This national championship will change the whole outlook of the program moving forward.
College Football Semi Final Previews
Notre Dame vs Penn State
The Irish and the Nittany Lions will face off in the Orange Bowl. Penn State has had the easiest path to the semi final out of the whole field. Whereas Notre Dame had to get through Georgia and Indiana to make it here.
Penn State: After suffering the loss to Ohio State earlier in the season the Nittany Lions have been able to get their offense going also putting it together with their great defense. In my opinion, Penn State got the lucky draw as they would have struggled to create a game plan against Georgia. The Nittany Lions look to be pretty healthy going into this matchup as they were able to dominate the first round and quarterfinal games. They will be going into the game with their best player Abdul Carter questionably as he suffered an injury against Boise State.
Notre Dame: The way the Irish dominated the Bulldogs in the trenches was impressive. They are more battle tested than Penn State but, could those games have tired them out? They have a significant injury in Jeremiyah Love as he suffered a lower body injury early in the game against Georgia. The only worry I have with the Irish is Riley Leonard has yet to still showcase a great passing attack. He can run the ball very effectively but when needed can he make that throw?
Prediction: I believe this game is going to be a defensive battle. They both like to play the same style of game, run the ball, play physical, and play field position. Drew Allar could be the difference maker in the game, he needs to go out and throw the ball and free up room for Singleton and Allen. He has been inconsistent at times through the season but he has shown he could beat you with his arm. Penn State can win this game by throwing the ball down the field forcing the Irish to drop their great safeties and then they can pound the rock. While Notre Dame needs to keep playing their game that has gotten them here as they dominate you in the trenches and then start teeing off. If they can keep the passing attack from Penn State to a minimum then they can play their game. I believe that Penn State just doesn’t have the “killer instinct” that the Irish seem to have right now. It will be back and forth all game until the 4th Quarter where then the Irish will start springing some runs loose. 21-17 Notre Dame
Ohio State vs Texas
The Buckeyes and the Longhorns will face off in the Cotton Bowl as the Longhorns get to have a glorified home game as the game is in Dallas. Texas has had a pretty easy path to the semi final game whereas Ohio State has had the hardest path to get here.
Texas: The Longhorns have one of the best rosters in college football and have been talked about being a national championship contender all season. They have struggled against good teams all year and they were not very impressive against Arizona State in the quarterfinal game. They have tendencies to let off the gas pedal in the second half causing the opposing teams to get right back into a position to win. The best part of the Longhorns team is that they have great depth and nearly every single position on the field. Their strongest position is their secondary which they will definitely be tested against the Buckeyes. Texas has not seen a wide receiver room as stacked or even remotely close to as talented as Ohio State. They are also a little banged up as they have gone through this run in the playoffs.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes look like the best team in college football. I don’t even know how a team can look this dominant. Their defense looks to have no weaknesses as they do not give up any big plays and their offense looks unstoppable ever since they started running off the pass. The only worrisome factor for the Buckeyes is if they don’t show up with the same intensity and game plan as they have in the previous two playoff games. This new ”I don't care about the critics” approach that the Buckeyes have right now should scare the whole country not just this year but in the future as well.
Prediction: It’s very hard for anyone to pick against the Buckeyes but, I am curious to see if Texas can maintain the offensive onslaught from the Buckeyes that they have showcased at the start of their playoff games helping get out to an early lead. The Longhorns will have to play their best all four quarters to try and stop Ohio State. The Longhorns supposedly have the best secondary in all of college football and they will be put to the test as Jeremiah Smith looks to be uncoverable. If the Buckeyes play the way they have shown they can play this game can get ugly just as it did for Oregon and Tennessee. 42-21 Buckeyes
First Round Playoff Predictions
#12 Clemson vs #5 Texas
Clemson Tigers (9-3): We have a SEC vs ACC matchup and once again it involves the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers have been through the highs and lows throughout the season. They have looked great against the mediocre teams and have struggled against the top teams. They are lucky to have even made it into the field as they are a three loss team.
Texas Longhorns (11-2): The Longhorns have looked like one of the best teams in the country throughout the entirety of the season. They have struggled to win games against Georgia and that's a concern going into these playoffs. They seemed to have had a strong strength of schedule at the start of the year. As the season went on, the schedule was underwhelming as the teams that were previously ranked fell out of the top 25. The Longhorns have also struggled the past couple of seasons under Steve Sarkasian while having home field advantage.
Predictions: Just based off of the talent, the Longhorns have a big advantage as they have one of the best rosters in college football. Texas has a ceiling that is way higher than Clemson’s but, I don’t think we have yet to see them get to full potential. The offense is going to be a big factor for both teams. We have seen Texas look unstoppable but they seem to stall out against top teams. The Tigers offense will need to take downfield shots and keep those great safeties honest because they love to run the ball and it will not work if Texas loads the box. I believe in experience and Dabo Swinney definitely has that throughout all of his playoff runs. Texas always seems to fall to their competition in these scenarios and I can see a really tight matchup but, the talent gap will be too much for the Tigers.
27 Texas, 21 Clemson
#10 Indiana vs #7 Notre Dame
Indiana (11-1): The Hoosiers have had a Cinderella story type season after they were predicted to have one of the worst records in college football. Curt Cignetti has come into this program and has given the Hoosiers some life. They have been able to man handle teams all year and they have one of the best point differentials in the country. Even while losing on the road to Ohio State, they still have been able to hang around and have a shot in the playoffs.
Notre Dame (11-1): The Fighting Irish have a 10 game winning streak going into these playoffs. After losing to NIU in a shocking upset at home the Irish have looked great since. I believe Marcus Freeman used that loss to show his team that they can never play that way again. Marcus Freeman and the Irish have not had great success against top 10 teams in the past and they look to change that in South Bend on Friday.
Predictions: Both teams come into this game with the same exact record and around the same strength of schedule. Home field advantage for the Irish will not be as prevalent because they are both from the same state. Tickets prices are super high and that is due to it being an instate matchup. I believe the Hoosiers are playing with house money and they have experience in a big game. Notre Dame always seems to crumble under pressure but it will still be a really tight game. I love the Hoosiers offense and I don’t believe Notre Dame will be able to run the football against the Hoosiers big D-line.
35 Indiana, 28 Notre Dame
#11 SMU vs #6 Penn State
SMU (11-2): Nobody believed the Mustangs would be able to make the ACC championship game let alone make the playoffs. After an early loss to BYU, SMU has looked like a completely different team. They did fall to Clemson in the championship game but they showed some fight at the end and proved to the committee that they belong.
Penn State (11-2): Even while losing to Oregon in the Big 10 championship the Nittany Lions might have the most favorable path to the semi final out of the whole field. Penn State has beat everyone on their schedule except the top 10 games. They looked better against Oregon than they have ever looked against top talent but, James Franklin has yet to win the big game.
Prediction: I can’t get over the fact that the Mustangs were dominated by Clemson in the first half of the ACC championship. Penn State looks stronger than they have ever been and will also be at home in one of the best environments in the country. The talent gap and the weather is going to be a huge factor in this game.
38 Penn State, 21 SMU
#9 Tennessee vs #8 Ohio State
Tennessee (10-2): The Vols get to be in the playoff for the first time in program history. They have been good over the years but have not been able to get over the hump. They have struggled on the road under Josh Heupel but they are serious contenders for the National Championship this year.
Ohio State (10-2): After losing to their rival Michigan, all things in Columbus seem to be falling apart according to their fans. We do not see what is actually going on in the facility as they get ready to make a run at the championship. The Buckeyes have the best roster in college football but have been decimated by injuries on the O-line.
Prediction: Both head coaches struggle under pressure situations but Ryan Day has the playoff experience that Heupel doesn’t have. This game is going to come down to the Vols stout D-line vs the Buckeyes' make shift O-line. The Buckeyes have heard criticism for the past three weeks on the offensive game plan and have struggled against tough teams in the past. Ohio State’s defense will be good enough to hold Dylan Sampson to under 100 yards and Nico Iamaleava is a young quarterback that hasn't been in this weather before and seems to struggle in big moments. The Buckeyes have proven in the past in recent playoff runs that they can scheme up a defense with multiple weeks to prepare.
24 Ohio State, 14 Tennessee