2021 CFB Playoff National Championship Prediction

Brock Bowers, Georgia

For the second time in half a decade, Alabama and Georgia collide in an all-SEC National Championship. In many ways, the two SEC powers are very alike; both programs have dominated their respective sides of the conference over the past few seasons, both are elite recruiting programs who send waves of players to the NFL every spring, and Georgia's head man, Kirby Smart, is a longtime Nick Saban assistant who led several record-setting defenses in Tuscaloosa. However, there is one clear distinction between the two as they meet up Monday night. Alabama has reached the pinnacle of the college football world multiple times in the last decade-plus, aiming for their seventh National Title since Saban took over. Georgia, on the other hand, has become a program synonymous with getting so close so getting over the top, but finding a way to come up just short. They haven't hoisted a National Title in over four decades and have suffered three distinct, heart-wrenching losses to the Tide in the past decade that all may have cost them a shot at a National Championship. This difference between the two programs puts even more pressure on the Bulldogs to finally finish the job this time around and finish a historical season in Athens.

The top priority for Georgia will be finding a way to slow down the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young, and the rest of this Tide offense. It's pretty remarkable the season that Young has put together, his first season as starting quarterback. He's tallied 4,503 yards and 46 touchdowns through the air, while keeping his turnovers down and completing 68% of his passes. That would be impressive no matter what, but you also have to consider Young has done so with an Alabama offense that has been significantly more crippled than past units. This particular Tide offense is the thinnest they've been at tailback in years and the receiver corps took a massive hit when John Metchie, their No. 2 receiver, was lost for the year with a torn ACL. These injuries have put even more pressure on the shoulders of Young, top receiver Jameson Williams and lead back Brian Robinson Jr., but they've handled it with relative ease. Williams in particular has taken his play up another notch, as he hauled in seven passes for 184 yards and two scores against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. He killed the Bulldogs deep in their last matchup but without Metchie, expect more intermediate and short routes to help open things up. Alabama will still need more than just Williams at receiver, so keep an eye on names like Slade Bolden, JoJo Earle, and Ja'Corey Brooks. Brooks had a big day in the semifinal win over Cincinnati, while Earle is just one of a young group of wide outs looking for their shot. The ground game is in for a challenge against this physical and athletic Georgia defensive front, but Robinson has been a force all season. He isn't the most talented Tide running back of the Saban era, but is the type of hard, punishing runner that Saban covets. Even so, don't be surprised if offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien works in backup Trey Sanders early and often. Sanders has still been banged up for much of the season, but his speed and explosiveness can add a different element to this offense, which will be key against a Bulldog linebacker corps that is full of future NFL guys. Just as important, the Tide offensive line has to show up after an up-and-down season. They've been dominant down the stretch, but this is still a group that can occasionally struggle against fast front sevens. It's not just defensive tackle Jordan Davis they have to worry about, but the fact that Georgia loves to strategically blitz these linebackers. Butkus Award winner Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, Channing Tindall and Quay Walker will come in waves from every different direction. Young is good enough to keep things alive even when the pocket breaks down, but keeping him upright is still going to be of top priority for the Crimson Tide.

As I've mentioned before, Georgia's defense gets all the attention and rightfully so, but this offense has also dealt with injuries all season and still put together one of the best seasons in recent Bulldog history. They've done so with a former walk-on running the show at QB in Stetson Bennett, who is viewed as more of a game manager than anything else, but he's put together an impressive season. Bennett has totaled 2,638 yards and 27 touchdowns and he hasn't been scared of the big moment. There seems to be a perception out there that Bennett isn't good enough to get UGA over the top, but he was far from the issue in the SEC Championship loss, as he passed for 340 yards and three scores. He followed that up by toasting an elite Michigan defense to the tune of 313 yards and three touchdowns. Bennett seems to be playing with more confidence each and every week and any belief that a 5'11", former walk-on can't lead the Bulldogs over the Tide is laughable. Of course, he will need his supporting cast to show up, which includes a trio of productive tailbacks and a deep receiver corps. In the backfield, Zamir White and James Cook will get most of the carries, but expect to also see some of Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton. White is the workhorse option in the backfield, but Cook is the real playmaker that the Tide defense will have to game plan for. At receiver, the Bulldogs have been beaten up all season long, but they're getting healthier at the right time. Freshman tight end Brock Bowers has been one of the most surprising stories of the entire 2021 season with how effective he has been in his first year on campus, but expect receivers Jermaine Burton, Ladd McConkey, and Kearis Jackson to be featured heavily. Much like Bennett, McConkey is the type of player that has been underrated his entire career as a slithery six-feet possession receiver, but he's been one of the most consistent weapons on this roster, while Burton and Jackson are two talented playmakers who can hit the home run ball. I am curious to see how aggressive Todd Monken and Kirby Smart are with the deep ball; they didn't test Alabama's secondary too much in that SEC Championship, but this is a different situation. For one, they have to do something to get Alabama on their toes defensively and also, the Tide are banged up at the corner spot, as they went down their top two corners in the semifinal win. Stetson Bennett might not have the prettiest deep ball in college football, but he made some awfully impressive throws against Michigan and should be ready for his chances. Up front, the Bulldogs have the edge over Alabama in terms of offensive line play, but they also face a brutal pass rush that includes superstar Will Anderson. Anderson might be the best player on the field and is the betting favorite to be the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, so anything the Bulldogs can do to neutralize him will be important. One more thing to consider with this Georgia offense is George Pickens, who may be the ultimate wild card of the entire game. Pickens is Georgia's most naturally gifted pass-catcher but a torn ACL in the spring has limited him to very little playing time. He first came back in the rivalry win over Georgia Tech and also caught a pair of passes against Alabama in their last meeting. Don't expect to see him on the field every down but if he can continue to see his role expand, this UGA offense becomes even more dangerous.

Some college football fans may be frustrated that the sport's pinnacle game of the 2021 campaign will come down to a pair of familiar SEC foes, but there are enough storylines to keep fans engaged and excited for the entire four quarters. Alabama's ability to weather a storm of injuries and the rollercoaster ride of the season just confirms the program's elite status and Saban's coaching pedigree. Managing to win a National Title with arguably their weakest team in over a decade would only further cement them as perhaps the greatest dynasty in the sport's long history. Georgia has risen to the ranks of elite in the college football universe, but taking the next step and winning a National Title has proven to be extremely elusive. Is this the year, and the team, to finally rid the program of their demons and reach the mountaintop? There's no better opportunity to get the monkey off their back then beating a familiar rival in the National Championship Game.

The last meeting between these two teams in the SEC Championship Game proved to be a decisive Alabama victory, but I have a feeling that this game will be different. Not only are the stakes higher, but the Bulldogs have had more time to prepare for the mighty Crimson Tide and are healthier than they were several weeks ago. Picking against Nick Saban and Alabama is something I never like to do and they've made me look like a fool on numerous occasions. However, I truly believe that this year's Georgia team is different. It's not just the product they put on the field, but the energy and attitude around the program feels completely different. It really feels like this could be a turning point for Georgia football, and the time is now. I'm picking the Bulldogs to hoist their first National Title since 1980.

The Pick: Georgia, 28 Alabama, 24

College Football Playoff Picks 2021-22: Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl

 

Bryce Young, Alabama

Cotton Bowl (3:30 PM ET, December 31st)

1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats

After nearly a decade of the experiment that is the College Football Playoff, it finally happened. The first Group of Five team, the Cincinnati Bearcats, gained entry into the exclusive four-team field. Their reward? A date with the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide, who have splattered the sport for a decade-and-a-half now. It will be an uphill battle for the Bearcats, but Luke Fickell's team will be prepared and awfully motivated to slay the sport's "Goliath."

I've said all season long that this is not the Alabama offense of 2020. However, it's still a group loaded with playmakers and after a brief COVID scare, play-caller Bill O'Brien is back to run the show. Under center is the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young, who has consistently put up huge numbers despite a supporting cast that has not been very Alabama-esque. The amazing thing about Young is not simply his ability to make things happen and keep plays alive; he's an incredible decision-maker for his age and has never been scared of the moment, despite being a first-year starter. Young will face potentially his toughest test of the entire season in the Cincinnati secondary, which includes future NFL defensive backs Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant. How he responds could be the turning point of the game, but either way, he needs more from his receiver corps. In my mind, former Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams was the best wide out in college football this fall, not the eventual Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison. Williams has played an outsized role in this offense the entire year, but has had to take on even more with John Metchie sidelined with a torn ACL. Names like Slade Bolden and Cameron Latu have played a decent supporting role but the pass-catchers Cincinnati is likely the most worried about? The youngsters, such as JoJo Earle, Ja'Corey Brooks, an Traeshon Holden. 'Bama fans have also clamored all season for Agiye Hall, who had a huge spring game but hasn't seen the field much in the regular season. As for the ground game, Alabama is not as deep at running back as they've been in the past, but Brian Robinson Jr. has proven to be a capable workhorse. He faces off against a Cincinnati defensive front that doesn't have the stars like the secondary, but is tough and disciplined. You have to be curious to see how the Bearcat front looks like against Alabama. Fickell-coached teams are always physical at the line of scrimmage and the Tide O-Line has been disappointing in 2021. In close games like this that have a chance to be low-scoring, the chess match in the trenches takes on extra relevance.

Cincinnati's offense is not a very explosive group, but they're still an effective unit. There's several reasons for the production; for one, it helps when you have the program's winningest quarterback under center. Just as importantly, it's an offense that controls the ball and takes the necessary shots they need to in order to keep the defense off-balance. QB Desmond Ridder has shown growth every single season for the Bearcats and he's hoping to send off his collegiate career in a big way. Ridder has dominated American Athletic defenses all season long, but I don't think he will be intimidated by the Tide, either. Although he didn't put up huge numbers in the heartbreaking Peach Bowl loss to Georgia last year, he proved that he could make things happen against an SEC defense loaded with talent. Ridder has also proven he can make plays with his legs, even though the Bearcats don't call his number too often, which could an interesting layer to this game. In addition to him, Cincy leans on tailback Jerome Ford, who just so happens to be a former Alabama player. Although he's built like a bruiser, Ford has some burst in him and enters this game averaging over six yards per carry. He has to be salivating at the opportunity to do damage against an Alabama rush defense that has been streaky all of 2021. On the perimeter, Cincinnati doesn't have many future NFL guys, but Alec Pierce and Tyler Scott have proven to be difficult to contain. They're both potential deep threats with Ridder's arm and present a real challenge to a group of 'Bama corners that have been prone to the big play. Keep an eye on tight end Josh Whyle, who is often the security blanket in the offense and is a key piece on short yardage or goal-line situations. Two other things to watch when it comes to the Cincinnati offense: can the blockers contain Alabama's Will Anderson, and how does backup QB Evan Prater factor into the game-plan? Anderson has been the best defensive player in college football this year (even if Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson was the one who got the Heisman invite) and Prater is a fascinating player to me. He hasn't seen a ton of playing time on the year but against a defense with as much talent as Alabama's, you have to be creative to move the ball. Prater's ability to operate in different packages could help open up the Bearcat offense.

Based purely on brand name, Alabama shouldn't have too much difficulties with Cincinnati, even if they have been one of the Group of Five's flagship programs for awhile now. Of course, football games aren't played on brand names, and Cincy has strengths that could give Nick Saban's crew real troubles. The secondary is legit and ball-hawking, which could change the momentum of the game with a potential turnover. The offense might not be super exciting, but Ridder is a tremendous QB and has the arm to test Alabama vertically. I don't doubt the Bearcats are going to give the Tide a game, but can they win the game? I fear that the talent and depth on the Tide roster is too much over the course of four quarters, even if this is one of the weaker teams of the Saban era. It might not be too bold of a prediction, but I like Alabama to move on to yet another National Championship Game.

The Pick: Alabama, 27 Cincinnati, 17

Hassan Haskins, Michigan

Orange Bowl (7:30 PM EST, December 31st)

2 Michigan Wolverines vs. 3 Georgia Bulldogs

For much of the fall, there seemed to be one certainty: Georgia as the top team in the land. After beating Clemson to open the year, the Bulldogs reeled off 11 more wins in the regular season and walked into the SEC Championship Game as the National Title favorite. Just a few weeks later, UGA is reeling coming off a poor showing in the SEC Championship loss to Alabama and now faces a team going in the opposite direction. Michigan seems to be getting stronger as the season wears on and enters this matchup with all the momentum, as they were finally able to take down Ohio State and then pummeled Iowa in the Big Ten Championship.

Jim Harbaugh deserves all the credit in the world for his off-season transformation of the Michigan program. There were a lot that didn't think he'd even be on the sidelines in Ann Arbor come fall of '21, but he switched up his staff, gave more control of the offense to eventual Broyles Award winner Josh Gattis, and once again seemed to have the swagger and confidence that had been missing from the UM program for a couple years. The result was a team that isn't flashy, but is well-built, balanced, and fights every second of every game. Quarterback Cade McNamara beat out a pair of newcomers, Texas Tech transfer Alan Bowman and highly touted freshman J.J. McCarthy, and put together an impressive campaign. McNamara isn't going to throw 50 times a game, but he's a capable game manager who finished the season strong. With that being said, keep an eye on McCarthy; Gattis and Harbaugh haven't been afraid to use the freshman in certain packages this year and he's got serious arm talent. On the ground, the Wolverines boast a terrifying 1-2 punch in Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum. Haskins led the team with 1,288 yards and 20 touchdowns, but Corum is the big-play threat who has played a major role in opening up this offense. Haskins has picked up some of the slack with Corum not 100 percent over the last month, but the expectation is that we should see a heavy dosage of both in this game. It will be a treat to watch this rushing attack square off against a Georgia rush defense that is elite, and features a star defensive tackle at the heart of it in Jordan Davis. At times, Georgia's pass defense has struggled, as they're not as deep or strong at corner as they've been in the past. That could give Michigan some opportunities on the outside in this one, but others have to emerge beyond top target Cornelius Johnson. Names like Roman Wilson, Mike Sanristil, Daylen Baldwin, and Andrel Anthony have all had flashes of brilliance, but can they put it together on the grand stage? Youngster A.J. Henning is another name to watch; although he's been fairly quiet as a pass-catcher, UM will feature him on jet sweeps or screens often.

Georgia's defense has been historically good in 2021, allowing less than ten points per game, but the offense doesn't get enough credit for the season it has put together. Despite the fact they've dealt with injuries all year and one of their preseason stars (Arik Gilbert) hasn't even been with the team, they're putting together 39 PPG and play a balanced brand of football. Former walk-on Stetson Bennett has been a masterclass on coming in as a backup and playing great football, as he's thrown for 2,325 yards and 24 touchdowns. However, J.T. Daniels, the preseason starter who hasn't been healthy for most of the year, cleared COVID protocols and may be called upon. While Bennett deserves all the credit in the world, there's no question that Daniels is the more gifted signal-caller, even if it hasn't shown up this fall. The passing game has had to deal with strange circumstances considering all the injuries, but breakout stars Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey have been huge for them. Veterans Jermaine Burton and Kearis Jackson are supposed to be healthy after injury-riddled campaigns, which should provide extra support. Plus, I'm still waiting on tight end Darnell Washington to have his breakout game; he had a touchdown in the SEC Championship Game, but this guy is way too talented to be sidelined the way he has been this year. Georgia should rely on the ground attack to continue to be their primary source of offense, as they can feature as many as four extremely capable tailbacks. Zamir White led the team in rushing yards, but a healthy James Cook is arguably the offense's best weapon, even though he was held in check against Alabama. Up front, the Bulldogs don't quite have as many future NFL Draft selections as they've had in the past, but this is still a strong offensive line. This O-Line better be ready for war, as they face possibly their toughest test of 2021 in this Michigan defensive front. Aidan Hutchinson is the big name for the Wolverines, but he's far from the only one that can hurt you. David Ojabo had 11 sacks on the season, while Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith eat up blocks on the interior. Overall, the Wolverine defensive makeover has been the main catalyst for their improvement this fall, as new coordinator Mike MacDonald was an elite hire. They shouldn't be intimidated by this UGA group, but the secondary could be without a key face, as star safety Daxton Hill's status is questionable for this game. Hill is a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Wolverines as a player and leader.

Get ready for an absolute bloodbath between these two teams. They both want to out-muscle you the entire way and lean on their strength in the trenches and in the backfield to do so. Michigan enters the CFB Playoff with all the momentum in the world, but people seem quick to forget how dominant UGA was playing before the SEC Championship loss. The Bulldogs are the favorite, despite the fact UM is the higher seed, and I still believe they're the right pick. The defense is just too strong for a fairly conservative Michigan offense and they also have a clear edge in depth, helping them get over the top in the late second half.

The Pick: Georgia, 24 Michigan, 20