The first 12-team College Football Playoff bracket is here, filled with teams that have worked all season for the opportunity to compete for the national championship. Picking out the first round of the bracket is going to be interesting, considering none of these games will be at neutral sites. For example, Notre Dame was rewarded with home game in the cold, and a night game to boot, in South Bend.
That’s pretty awesome, if you ask me!
The top four teams receive a bye, so we won’t see Oregon, Georgia, Boise State or Arizona State in the first round of these predictions, but once we hit the second round is when we’ll see them.
With all that being said: let’s do some predictions!
First Round:
No. 5 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 12 Clemson Tigers
I think this game is going to be really interesting along the trenches on both sides of the ball. While Texas is hopefully going to have LT Kelvin Banks back for this game, Clemson’s defensive line is incredibly talented, extremely physical, and has stars in the form of DL Peter Woods and TJ Parker. However, I’m concerned about Clemson’s offense going up against this fast Texas defense. I feel like this game is going to be a slog in the first half, but I believe in the Longhorns’ defense and the skill position players for Texas making enough plays.
Prediction: Texas
No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. No. 11 SMU Mustangs
This game has potential to bring some fireworks to Happy Valley. Penn State’s offense had a really nice day against Oregon’s defense, with their stars in QB Drew Allar, RB Nick Singleton and TE Tyler Warren had great days. I think SMU is also going to come to play offensively, so this could lead to a shootout. However, I think Penn State’s defense will create some splash plays with SMU QB Kevin Jennings being more chaotic than your average QB, and Penn State moves on.
Prediction: Penn State
No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers
This might be a real NFL Films-ass game. Notre Dame is such an incredibly physical team on both sides of the ball, and want to run the football with backs Jeremiyah Love and Aneyas Williams (plus QB Riley Leonard on the ground). While their passing game is…there, they have the defense and run game to punish teams. However, Indiana is one of the best teams in the country in defending the run. They’re first in EPA per play allowed on the ground, second in yards per rush allowed and can force teams to play their game. I’m really excited for this one, might be the best game of the first round. I think I’ll go with Notre Dame here. The home game for the Irish, plus Indiana’s inability to protect against the blitz give me a bit of pause from picking the Hoosiers, but this game could go either way.
Prediction: Notre Dame
No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers
Whew boy, this game is gonna get really toxic. Both of these teams are incredibly talented, but also have major flaws. While Ohio State’s defense is really good and their offense has so many stars, they can go through quarters of such frustrating play. Same with Tennessee, whose defense is one of the best in the sport, but offensively haven’t really figured it out. You also have to factor in that Ohio State is being coached by Ryan Day and will not have two of their starting five linemen. The difference in this game might be in the margins…and I don’t know if I trust Ohio State in that area.
Prediction: Tennessee
Second Round:
No. 5 Texas vs No. 4 Arizona State
This is where I think Arizona State missing receiver Jordyn Tyson will hurt the Sun Devils. Texas is so strong up front, I worry about their ability to generate explosives on the ground against the Longhorns. However, I thought the same about Georgia, but when QB Gunner Stockton was put into the game, the Bulldogs moved the ball a lot better. I think QB Sam Leavitt’s legs are going play a huge part in Arizona State’s ability to go beyond this round. Ultimately, I think Texas has the ability to stifle that run game and force Arizona State out of their comfort zone.
Prediction: Texas
No. 9 Tennessee vs No. 1 Oregon
I think this game could be a good test for Oregon’s offense with Tennessee’s defense being much better this year. However, Oregon feels like they have an answer for everything this year, and can ride a stifling defense to a victory.
Prediction: Oregon
No. 6 Penn State vs No. 3 Boise State
I think this game could be closer than some believe, with QB Maddux Madsen playing much better for the Broncos than earlier in the season and their pass rush being able to take over games. However, they give up a lot of explosives through the air, which isn’t a great formula against the Nittany Lions. If RB Ashton Jeanty can get going then I can see an upset, but I’ll go with Penn State here.
Prediction: Penn State
No. 7 Notre Dame vs No. 2 Georgia
Notre Dame normally pushes around teams that they’re simply bigger than, but I worry about their play against a team that’s just as big and just as talented. I’m gonna go with Georgia here, because they force Notre Dame to play more through the air than they like.
Prediction: Georgia
Semifinals
No. 5 Texas vs No. 1 Oregon
As much as I’ve talked about the Texas defense, I’m really worried about their offense in this game. Unless QB Quinn Ewers has a game like he did in their win against Michigan, I’m going to side with the Ducks here. Just too many answers everywhere.
Prediction: Oregon
No. 6 Penn State vs No. 2 Georgia
While Penn State might keep it close, I just trust Kirby Smart in a big game much more than James Franklin.
Prediction: Georgia
National Championship game: No. 1 Oregon vs. No 2. Georgia
It’s student vs master here, with Dan Lanning going against his former head coach Kirby Smart. I have a lot of worry about Oregon’s defense against a serious run game, but eventually Georgia’s issues in the receiver room are going to come back and bite them, and for the first time the Oregon Ducks raise the championship trophy
Prediction: Oregon
Here is what that bracket would look like, were it to come to fruition:
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