Way Too Early College Football Playoff Prediction

By: Brock Vierra

Yes, I know. Is a College Football Playoff prediction ridiculous? Yes. Do predictions do anything outside of inciting arguments of pointless points that prove nothing as the teams have yet to play a game? No. Why do we do it? Because it’s fun and we’re bored. College football’s offseason lasts way too long and I hate it. There’s nothing to do, nothing to watch. Saturday’s are dull, Friday’s are a bore and the thought that Pac-12 After Dark is truly over just makes me want to end it all. Metaphorically.

So to pass the time. Here are my

College Football Playoff predictions

Alabama. Saban is gone? No problem. The back-to-back SEC champs race to an undefeated season and a dramatic win over Georgia in the SEC championship game. Kalen DeBoer proves once again why he’s one of the best coaches in college football. Jalen Milroe stuns as he garners first-round consideration. Kane Wommack’s defense brings a fire that has both Tom Allen’s and Nick Saban’s fingerprints all over it. Offensively, Air Alabama is here.
Michigan. Are you kidding me? How? Michigan continues to roll on under Sherrone Moore. Donovan Edwards establishes himself as one of the best Wolverines to ever do it, eclipsing the marks set by Blake Corum on his way to Heisman consideration. Don Martindale’s cover-zero schemes leave Michigan exposed early but clutch plays see the Wolverines upset USC, a Trojan team two weeks removed from a demolishment of LSU. Stunning Ohio State at the Shoe, Martindale’s defense forced three turnovers while stalling Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson to under 100 combined rushing yards. They breeze by Penn State in the Big 10 title game.
Florida State cruises through a seemingly easy schedule including a comfortable win against Clemson. They battled tough in South Bend where they escaped with a win. They then cruise through the rest of the ACC.
Arizona. As wild as the Wildcats at four may seem. Do not forget they’re in the Big 12 now and they’re ready to shine. Having defeated Utah, Colorado, and Arizona State, the three Pac-12 programs joining the Big 12 with Arizona, they repeat in their new conference home. A rough start in conference play sees Arizona fall to Kansas State. However, they win out and defeat K-State in the battle of the Wildcats in the Big 12 title game. Noah Fifita and Tet McMillian are one of the best QB-WR duos in college football, safety Gunner Maldonado commands a turnover-prone defense and Brent Brennan is known for pulling upsets out of his hat. Bear down.
Georgia. New year, same story. A full healthy Georgia fails to beat a fully healthy Alabama in the SEC championship game or in the regular season. The Bulldogs did enter that game undefeated so they claim the fifth spot.
Ohio State. Ryan Day fails to win his fourth “The Game” as many call for his job. Day’s and Chip Kelly’s offense fails to generate anything on the day, uncharacteristic for their season. Ohio State steamrolled their conference outside of a shock loss to Penn State. However, Penn State’s loss in the Big 10 championship game pushes the Buckeyes to six. Ryan Day is coaching for his life.
Penn State. Franklin does it! He defeats Ohio State! The only problem is that he loses to Michigan and USC. However with the Michigan loss coming in the title game, no harm no foul.
Ole Miss. Outside of a home loss against Georgia, the Rebels cruised to an 11-1 record. However, the committee always does things to contradict themselves as championship game losses only harm the Big 10 and not the SEC.
Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava breaks Hendon Hooker’s career highs as Josh Heupel’s offense goes supernova. Losses to Alabama and Georgia threatened to derail the train as did a shootout with Kentucky but things break the way of the Vols. Rocky Top gets in.
Colorado. I know, I know, I know. However, Sheduer Sanders and Travis Hunter hook up to win ten games. They lose to Kansas State and Arizona but late wins against ranked Utah, Kansas, and Oklahoma State somehow send the Prime Time train to the playoffs. There’s always a random team that gets hot. It’s Colorado.
Duke. What? Yup. The Blue Devils are the best team in the ACC not named Florida State. Despite a loss to the Seminoles in both the regular season and ACC championship game, Duke blows past everyone behind Maalik Murphy’s athleticism and Manny Diaz’s defensive schemes.
UNLV. The nonconference AQ goes to the Rebels of Las Vegas. Matthew Sluka thrives in Brennan Marion’s offense as he combines for over 4500 yards of total offense as Barry Odom’s defense shuts down aerial attacks. Wins at Houston and at Kansas negate a loss to Oregon State. A conference title win over Boise State and UNLV rolls their way in.