College Football Playoff Championship Prediction 2018

Jalen Hurts, Alabama

Last season, one of the most popular questions was the perceived downfall of the SEC. Once the
clearly dominant conference in college football the conference lacked much substance behind Alabama, as every other SEC team had at least four losses by the end of the 2016-2017 season. Now, a year later, the conference has two teams playing for a National Title, as fourth-ranked Alabama tries to add another title to their resume against the third-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Both teams fit the SEC stereotype perfectly; they play tough, physical football between the trenches and make opponents work for every yard. Expect a hard-fought, close football game in Atlanta to decide who becomes king of the college football world.

Georgia's transformation from 8-5 team with potential in 2016 to a National Title contender in '17 has been one of the great stories of the season. Even more impressive is the fact Georgia has won 13 games with a true freshman quarterback under center who began the year as a backup. Jake Fromm took for injured sophomore Jacob Eason early on in the season and the Bulldogs haven't looked back. Fromm showed some nerves early in the team's Rose Bowl win over Oklahoma, but his play in the second half was marvelous, and he shouldn't be too overwhelmed by the moment. Squaring off against the speed and size of Alabama's defense is intimidating for anyone, but Fromm will also be helped by a superb supporting cast. In the backfield, seniors Sony Michel and Nick Chubb will look to end their impressive Georgia careers in style. The two entered campus together as young freshman and now leave as seniors, after many years of setting records and torching defenses. Chubb will be the the option for short yardage, while Michel excels at getting outside and using his speed. Fromm will also have Terry Godwin and Javon Wims available in the passing game, as while as the help of a very strong offensive line. UGA has good experience and plenty of depth throughout the offense as a whole, which will serve them well here. It is easy to be challenged by a big stage especially against a team like Alabama, but these veterans have played in big moments before and should be ready.

Even though Georgia did drop 54 points in their overtime victory over Oklahoma, this is still a team that will lean more on their defense than offense. The defense, which is of course led by former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart (now UGA's head coach), has a ton of speed and is extremely physical. The front seven is very athletic and should pose quite a threat to Alabama's rushing attack. They will be especially lethal if star linebacker Roquan Smith can have the type of game he had in the Rose Bowl. After a poor first half, Smith was an absolute stud in the second half, and a major reason why the Bulldogs were able to overcome Oklahoma. Expect Georgia to stack the box heavily and force Alabama to throw it down the field. The Bulldogs' secondary is also very experienced and consistent. If they can contain star Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley, they could very well shut down the Crimson Tide in this one.

It is no longer being led by flashy offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, but Alabama's offense has still be as effective as ever under new OC Brian Daboll. Even though his passing numbers still leave something to be desired, sophomore Jalen Hurts is still a major difference-maker at QB. Hurts can absolutely kill teams with his legs, and UGA will have to prove they can tackle him in space. Alabama will clearly run heavily in this one, even if they are going up against the stout Georgia front. Damien Harris led the team in rushing on the season but he is far from the lone option. Powerful Bo Scarbrough was great in last year's Playoff, and could be used heavily in this one. Also expect to see backs Joshua Jacobs and true frosh Najee Harris. It will be interesting to see how Daboll and 'Bama use Calvin Ridley in this one. Ridley is their clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but he will be challenged heavily by Georgia in this one. Expect the Tide to still get him involved anyway possible, whether it be on screens or sweeps. Up front, Alabama is still as powerful and tough as ever. They aren't going to be able to push Georgia around like they have been able to do against inferior opponents, but they still have a chance to control the line of scrimmage. In a game where field position and every yard will matter, that will be vitally important.

Despite the fact they suffered through injuries for most of the season, Alabama's defense was just as good as ever under coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who will now take over as Tennessee head coach after this game. However, the Tide were informed of some terrible news this week: linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who injured his knee against Clemson, will be officially out for this one. Losing Jennings, an impact defender off the edge, will be tough to swallow, but the Tide have guys ready to step up. That includes award-winning defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will battle through a kidney injury to be ready in this game. Fitzpatrick, who can fill in at either corner or safety, is a turnover machine that also excels on blitzes. His main purpose will be to cause chaos and confusion for Fromm and the Georgia offense, which he could have success doing. Fitzpatrick will lead a fabulous Alabama secondary that includes corners Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace and has plenty of versatility. Up front, Alabama's D-Line will have a challenge against UGA's offensive line, but they should still be able to provide some push. Raekwon Davis, who suffered a gun shot wound just days before the season began, has been an absolute beast all season and will hope to make Fromm uncomfortable and force some mistakes.

The last time we saw an all-SEC National Championship was 2011, when Alabama blew out undefeated LSU. I don't expect the Tide to blow out anybody here; Georgia has the talent and makeup to last with 'Bama all four quarters. The big question will be at QB and on the sidelines. Fromm has been great all season, but he will have to make some big throws to overcome the stifling Alabama defense. Can he do that? Does Kirby Smart have enough tricks up his sleeve to overcome his mentor Nick Saban, who has proven he knows how to win in this big games. I firmly expect a hard-fought, hard-hitting game where points will not come easy. This game has a feel of one that is low-scoring and somewhat "boring". I think things will be close but my pick is Alabama. The Tide looked superb in their semifinal win over Clemson, and are more experienced on this type of stage. I like the Tide to add another National Title to Nick Saban's belt.

College Football Playoff 2017-2018: Previewing the Rose Bowl

Over the course of his three seasons in Norman, Baker Mayfield has won three Big 12 titles, made the

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

College Football Playoff twice, won a Heisman, and set countless records while leading the Oklahoma Sooners. However, there is one big thing missing from his legendary career: a National Title. Mayfield will get an opportunity to manage just that as he begins his quest against the Georgia Bulldogs, who pounded Auburn in the SEC Championship to win a conference title in Kirby Smart's second season. The game will feature an explosive, balanced Oklahoma offense against a physical, well-built Bulldogs' defense in a historic venue. It should be the perfect way to kick off 2018 in the world of college football.

Mayfield, who of course was once a walk-on at Oklahoma after transferring from Texas Tech (where he was also a walk-on), has put together one of the most impressive seasons ever by an Oklahoma QB, a list that includes various Heisman winners and many record-setting signal-callers. The senior has played with his usual confidence and fearlessness, but has cut down on turnovers and played even better in the bigger games. Mayfield has been the driving force behind an offense that is averaging 45 points per game and 583 yards per game (best in the nation), but he isn't the only weapon the Sooners will use to attack that fantastic Georgia defense. Oklahoma has a three-headed monster at running back, where Rodney Anderson, Trey Sermon and Abdul Adams will lead the way. Anderson led the team in rushing, with 960 yards and 11 scores, but Sermon and Adams offer some major big-play potential, particularly Adams, who averaged a whopping 9.2 yards per carry. Georgia has done a good job of containing the big play all season long, but OU head man Lincoln Riley is fantastic at finding ways to create space and wearing defenses down. Mayfield also has a very capable receiver group to work with, which includes reliable Marquise Brown and John Mackey Award winner Mark Andrews, who had 906 yards at tight end. He also operates behind one of the country's best offensive lines, which will have to deal with an aggressive and experience UGA pass rush. Overall, the group has great balance and solid experience, which puts them in a good spot to still light up the scoreboard, even with how much talent Georgia has on that side of the ball. 

The bigger question for Oklahoma is on defense, where the group has struggled for a big chunk of the season. With their offense being so good, it hasn't really derailed the Sooners, but it could become a major problem against some of the talented teams in the four-team field. Georgia's offense is not as explosive as Oklahoma, but it is still a group that can certainly attack a weak defense. Oklahoma will have to hope for a big day from sack machine Ogobonnia Okoronkwo, as well as a good day from an inconsistent secondary. If Okoronkwo can apply pressure on true freshman QB Jake Fromm and the secondary can force some turnovers, the Sooners should really be in a good spot.

What is very impressive about Georgia this season is their success despite having Fromm, who is just 19, leading the charge. Fromm took over when former five-star recruit Jacob Eason went down early in the season with an injury, and has subsequently cemented himself as the leader of this football team. Fromm doesn't have the big play ability of Mayfield or other quarterbacks across the country, but he plays smart football and gets down the field without turning the ball over. The true frosh is also exceptional on back-shoulder throws towards the sideline, so expect to see UGA attack the Oklahoma defense horizontally as well as vertically. The Bulldogs lean heavily on their rushing attack, which includes seniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Both could have left for the NFL and likely been high picks, but opted to return for their senior season to try to bring a National Championship to Athens. Chubb is the workhorse that thrives between the tackles, while Michel has a little bit more wiggle to him. Outside of Ohio State, Oklahoma hasn't seen this skilled of a rushing attack, so it will be interesting to see how they react to it. On the outside, UGA also has a number of guys that should be able to attack the Sooners' secondary, mainly wide receiver Javon Wims and Terry Godwin. The offensive line also is known for its physical nature and should be able to perform well, even against an Oklahoma defense that loves to blitz.

The real strength for Georgia is definitely their defense, which is allowing just 13.4 points per game, which is fourth nationally. It starts with their defensive line, which lacks any big names and is far from flashy, but eats up running holes and should be able to get in Mayfield's face. The real strength is at linebacker, where Roquan Smith, who finished tenth in Heisman voting, is the unquestioned leader of the unit. Smith managed 103 tackles on the season and can play from sideline to sideline as well as anybody in the country. The linebacker corps is hurt, however, by the absence of Natrez Patrick, a hard-hitting linebacker is out after being arrested. In the defensive backfield, UGA has a lot of veteran leadership and established playmakers. It is hard to imagine them completely shutting down Mayfield and the Sooners' aerial attack, but they should certainly be enough to at the very least, slow it down.

It should be an interesting clash of two teams with different philosophies. Oklahoma will want to come out and play aggressive on both sides of the ball, while the Bulldogs should slow down the game and play smart, physical football. Both are clearly good football teams, and their differing strengths still make them very evenly matched. In a game where neither team is really a clear favorite, it makes sense to go with the team with the best player, which is Mayfield. The last time he played in a Playoff game it was short-lived, as Mayfield was unable to overcome Clemson in '15-'16. Don't expect that to be the case this time. Oklahoma is my pick to win the National Championship.

The Pick: Oklahoma, 31 Georgia, 24

College Football Playoff 2016-2017: Previewing the Fiesta Bowl

Dexter Lawrence, Clemson

Every single year, the NFL Draft takes a bunch of young college players looking ahead to the bright lights of the pros, as was the case in a big way for Ohio State and Clemson last spring. The Buckeyes and Tigers watched as their offenses and defenses were gutted by NFL defections. For the Tigers, they watched as star defensive linemen Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd ditched, while Ohio State lost their top rusher (Ezekiel Elliott) and tons of talent at receiver. Yet, just months later, the two teams collide for a spot in the National Championship, able to absorb those losses and have others step up. Can Clemson return back to the game they lost in a close one last season? Or will it be Urban Meyer and Ohio State, eager to defend that 2014 title? This game has all the makings of a thriller, and should only remind us how great college football can be.

Clemson entered the year as my National Title pick for many of the same reasons they are 12-1 and sit here today in the Playoff. Junior quarterback Deshaun Watson has had turnover issues this season, but is still one of the best in the sport. Watson has thrown for 3,914 yards and 37 touchdowns, and is still likely to be a first-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. Watson not only brings valuable dual threat ability, his experience should be huge for Clemson. He is joined by a wide cast of offensive weapons, including backfield mate Wayne Gallman. Because of Watson's stardom, Gallman doesn't get much attention, but he ran for over 1,000 yards and 15 scores on the year. At receiver, the Tigers possess blazing fast speed with reliable Artavis Scott, and lengthy, jump ball weapons like Mike Williams, who also has caught the eye of a few NFL scouts. Along with dangerous red zone target Jordan Leggett, Clemson has a ton of firepower, but the key will be unleashing it the right way. The group has had moments where they have been unstoppable but other times when they can't seem to find any rhythm. Having the offensive line play well against a great group of Buckeye pass rushers would be huge but Watson must also be on point. He doesn't just have to not throw picks, he has to read the defense and attack the mismatches. If he does that, the Tigers should put up plenty of points in this one.

Despite those heavy losses to the NFL, Clemson's defense was still top-notch in 2016. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables has proven he can reload this defense countless times, and he has found other playmakers to replace Lawson, Dodd and a number of defensive backs. Sophomore defensive end Christian Wilkins flashed potential all of last year but cashed out on it this year, with 44 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Senior defensive tackle Carlos Watkins is far from flashy but causes chaos in the middle and is a great pass rusher for his size, with 8.5 sacks on the year. And then there is true freshman Dexter Lawrence, who may have been Clemson's best overall defender despite his inexperience. Lawrence had 58 tackles and 6.5 sacks and showed excellent athleticism and a nose for the ball. That aggressive defensive line will be fired up and could cause plenty of issues, especially when considering Ohio State's inconsistent O-Line play. Linebacker Ben Boulware is a gritty, physical football player that sets the mantra for this defense. He will be tasked with not only leading the unit but stopping Ohio State's versatile backs. The Tigers are not quite as good at stopping the pass as the run, and its understandable why. The defensive backfield lost a ton this past offseason, and is still recovering. Safety Van Smith had 87 tackles on the year but doesn't do a whole lot in coverage, while veteran Jadar Johnson will be leaned on heavily to stop the Buckeyes' receivers. Venables doesn't get a whole lot of national attention, but he has another great group here.

For all of Clemson's strengths, Ohio State has plenty of their own, many of them similar. They also have an experienced quarterback under center in junior J.T. Barrett. This is going to be a huge game for Barrett and his legacy in Columbus. He has wonderful coming in and replacing Braxton Miller in 2014 but hasn't been the same the last few years. He has had plenty of big games on the year, but the Buckeyes' passing attack just hasn't been great over the past couple weeks. They are facing a defense susceptible to the long pass, so they will try and get Barrett going that way. Joining Barrett are two fantastic running backs, in H-back Curtis Samuel and tailback Mike Weber. Samuel has been compared to another former Meyer star player, Percy Harvin, because of his versatility and speed. The junior is a threat to go deep every time he touches the ball, and Ohio State will be creative with how they get him the ball in this one. Weber is more of a bulldozing back, putting his head down and running people over. He is particular dangerous in short-yardage situations, which Clemson will have to be prepared for. A major key for the Buckeyes will be getting more players involved in that inconsistent aerial attack. Noah Brown has been okay as a No. 1 receiver, but outside of Samuel and Dontre Wilson, nobody really scares you at receiver. The Tigers will be able to key in on that and take advantage, likely stacking the box to force Barrett to beat you with his arm.

While the Buckeyes have had some moments offensively, their defense is their strength. It starts with their defensive line, which like Clemson, has some insane talent. Lengthy Sam Hubbard is not only a help in run support, he can get after the QB, while end Tyquan Lewis has emerged as the top pass rusher, with 7.5 sacks. Joining those two is former OSU star Joey Bosa's younger brother, Nick, who is just a freshman. Much like Dexter Lawrence on the other side, Bosa was wonderful despite his immense youth, and his ferocity should disrupt the Tigers quite a bit. Ohio State is also great on the backend, where they lean heavily on wonderful linebacker Raekwon McMillan and a great defensive backfield. Experienced cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley should be able to hang with Williams and Scott, and safety Malik Hooker has become the superstar of the group. Hooker has broken out thanks to his impressive instincts and closing speed, helping him record six interceptions, with three of them being brought back for touchdowns. He should look to jump some of Watson's throws, which Clemson needs to be prepared for. If Hooker can pick off a pass and get a huge return, it could change the momentum of the game right there.

Ohio State has brought many elements of the "Tressel-Ball" era to the forefront this season. That means more conservative offensive plays, playing the field position and letting the defense take care of things, and it is hard to dispute the results. The Buckeyes might not have as many big plays as Clemson in this game, but they are perfectly fine finding other ways to stick in the game. However, they need Barrett to have a big day. If he looks like his old, 2014 self this team has enough balance and weapons to overpower the Tigers. The same can be said for Watson on the other side; this game could very well come down to which of these quarterbacks has the better day. Other factors, like the pass rush and line play should be key but the QB battle could decide this semifinal.

Clemson has not looked like the unstoppable force they were in 2015 throughout much of '16. Yet, they are in prime position to return to the title game because of their explosive offense, stout defense and experience. Those things will have to be out in full force in this one, and turnovers must be limited. This two teams are so evenly matched, and I expect things to be exciting. But, Ohio State will not have an answer for Watson if he is playing well, and there is enough on the Tigers' offense to overpower the Buckeyes.
Clemson, 34 Ohio State, 30

College Football Playoff 2016-2017: Previewing the Peach Bowl

Ronnie Harrison and Marlon Humphrey

So here we are, the College Football Playoff. After waiting months for the season to begin, and then even longer for the Playoff to figure itself out, we finally have reached the games that will help decide who plays in the National Championship. The first matchup in the Peach Bowl pits the dominating Alabama Crimson Tide against the rising Washington Huskies. While Alabama's domination this year pits them as the early favorite against the Pac-12 Champs, thinking this will be a blowout would be foolish.

Alabama has needed no rally in the season's second half to reach the Playoff like they did in 2015. This team has throughly dominated their competition, with the lone exception being down in the first half against Ole Miss before obliterating the Rebels. Much of their success can be attributed to a shutdown defense, that has depth and talent everywhere. In the front seven, defensive end Jonathan Allen has evolved into perhaps the nation's best all-around pass rusher after having a marvelous Playoff last season. He is joined by aggressive outside linebacker Tim Williams (15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks), tackling machine Rueben Foster (94 tackles) and a host of underappreciated but important defenders like Ryan Anderson and Shaun Dion Hamilton. That front seven has caused chaos all year long and will look to attack a Washington offensive line that has played well for much of the year, but hasn't faced a defense with this many weapons. Alabama is as good as anyone at forcing turnovers and then converting off of them, and the defensive backfield plays a huge role in that. Versatile defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has five interceptions on the year and has returned two to the house. Corner Marlon Humphrey is not an insane athlete, but is a big, physical defender that will be tasked with stopping Washington's plethora of options at receiver. Also sure to play a big role is lengthy safety Ronnie Harrison (67 tackles, two interceptions) and Tony Brown, who has replaced the injured Eddie Jackson in the back. Those playmakers will have an interesting battle against the Huskies here. They will have to contain the impressive speed on the outside, while also containing the big play. With what they have done all year long, it isn't crazy to think they can do it.

The Tide offense doesn't quite get the attention the defense does, but it obviously plays a key role on the team. True freshman Jalen Hurts overtook others in the quarterback competition and has impressed ever since. Despite his youth, Hurts has shown amazing composure and confidence, and won't be intimidated at all by Washington's impressive pass defense. At running back, the Tide have been led by hard running Damien Harris (983 yards), but also have important change-of-pace options in Bo Scarbrough and Joshua Jacobs. That trio has been strong all of 2016 and should look to take advantage of a UW rush defense missing one of its key members, veteran linebacker Azeem Victor. At receiver, Alabama has a superstar in junior Calvin Ridley, a quality No. 2 in ArDarius Stewart and senior tight end O.J. Howard, who seems to play his best in the big games. Operating behind an offensive line, this new-look Tide offense should not only be able to play physical and overpower the Huskies at times but also open up mismatches on the perimeter with their speed.

While the Tide have blown away competition en route to a flawless 13-0 mark, Washington has done much the same, with one blemish. The Huskies used their explosive offense to win 12 games, but were unable to get past the flaming hot USC Trojans, who is the only common opponent between the two. While their performance in that loss was not reassuring, it helped Washington poured it on over the past few weeks to secure a spot in the four-team field. Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning has had a tremendous year, keeping himself in the Heisman conversation for much of it. He will definitely be in store for a team matchup against the ball-hawking Tide secondary, but this signal-caller has also played with impressive confidence and charisma, he should be fine. Biletnikoff Award finalist John Ross III and Dante Pettis give Browning two dangerous speedsters to work with at wide out, and sophomore tailback Myles Gaskin has been dominant at times. This offense has been great all year (with the exception of their 13 points against 'SC), so it should be able to light up the scoreboard as well.

It will be interesting to see how Washington's defense performs in this game. Overall, the Huskies defense has played well this season, but it hasn't really faced an offense quite like the Tide's. Not helping out the Huskies is the absence of Victor (broken leg) or top pass rusher Joe Mathis. Mathis had 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks before sustaining a foot injury. The absence of those two have put more pressure on the rest of the front seven, and they have done an admirable job. Veteran leader Psalm Wooching plays with a ton of energy and passion and is the type of physical tackler required to stop Harris and the rest of the Alabama running backs. The secondary is clearly the strength of the unit, with cornerback Sidney Jones and safety Budda Baker leading the charge. Baker is a rangy, athletic defender that will have to play all over the field, while Jones will most likely be tasked with containing Ridley, which is not an easy assignment by any means. Also sure to play a large role is underrated corner Kevin King, who had 13 pass deflections this season and will have to step up with the abundance of options Alabama possesses at receiver.

How each team passes the ball will be key in this game. Both of these secondaries pride themselves on being shutdown and have backed it up, being some of the best statistical groups in the land. For the Huskies, Browning can't turn the ball over, which is easier said than done. The young QB has racked up a ton of yardage off of big plays in '16, but that isn't going to happen against this disciplined Tide group. Can he show smarts and the ability to adapt by having more success on short and intermediate throws? Washington must also get a major contribution from Gaskin, who has been inconsistent. In the Huskies' worst showings on the season (against USC and Utah) Gaskin has played his two worst games. Alabama is great at shooting gaps and tackling in space, which is worrying for UW. If Gaskin can't get going this offense becomes way too one-dimensional to have any success against 'Bama. For the Tide, they will need Hurts to make some big throws. He has been able to get by without necessarily making huge throws, but this may be their toughest and most balanced opponent yet. He will need to stretch UW vertically to open things up for this ground game. Once that ground game gets going, if its the second half, they are so strong and physical they overpower tired defenses.

Washington is one heck of a team and they have had a magical season in head coach Chris Petersen's third year at the helm. They went 12-1, won the conference and reached the Playoff, and they have enough weapons on both sides of the ball to perhaps do some serious damage. Even so, I find it insanely difficult to pick against Alabama. They are undefeated and have looked the part, beating down anybody that stands in the way of their goal of a fifth national title under Nick Saban. The ony way I see this going Washington's way is if the Tide aren't focused (like they weren't in the Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio State in 2014-2015) or if Browning has the game of his life. If that doesn't happen, it won't be a blowout, but the Tide should roll pretty comfortably.
Alabama, 31 Washington, 21

College Football Playoff Championship Prediction 2016

Derrick Henry

What a bust this college football bowl season was. Usually the most wonderful time of the year in the sport, the last couple weeks have been filled with an absurd amount of blowouts and pretty unexciting match-ups that included two noncompetitive Playoff games. Though, as the 2015-2016 season wraps up, the National Championship has a chance to redeem what has been a rough December and January in the sport. It pits a rising Clemson program that ran through the ACC with ease en route to a 14-0 start, against an Alabama team that has shut down everybody since a September loss to Ole Miss. While there is no clear favorite entering this one, one thing is clear: the blowouts in the sport we witnessed this bowl season won't continue in the sport's Championship.

Alabama has been absolutely dominant since that early season loss to Ole Miss. The Tide allowed 40-plus that night to an explosive Rebels' offense, and their five turnovers raised serious questions about the state of the program moving forward. Since then, Alabama has shut down every single offense they've faced, with a quick and aggressive defense, and one that forces turnovers like crazy. That defense has used a defensive line stocked with future NFL talent to hold opposing running backs in check all year. The Tide use a rotation of eight skilled linemen that all have different strengths, which keeps them fresh and ferocious. They will be joined by a strong group of linebackers, headed by the veteran Reggie Ragland, who recognizes plays as well as anybody in the nation. That front seven should help Alabama quite a bit against an underrated Clemson rush offense. Not only can Deshaun Watson run the ball when needed, running back Wayne Gallman has quietly put together a huge year. Gallman isn't the most talented back Alabama has faced (Leonard Fournette, Alex Collins and more), but he is a versatile runner with excellent burst. He won't get much space, but when he does, he will have to be able to do something. In the defensive backfield, Alabama also has incredible depth and two shutdown cornerbacks, Eddie Jackson and Cyrus Jones (who is also a major factor on special teams). Clemson not only has a very legit passer in Watson, he is aided by a number of weapons on the perimeter, that include a number of deep threats. It will be interesting to see just how aggressive the Tigers are against this Alabama secondary. The Tide have proven that any mistakes against them will be serious problems, as they are easily one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers and producing off of them. Another major storyline to watch is Watson himself versus the Tide's defense. Strong-armed quarterbacks with great running ability have given Alabama's defense fits over the years, and they weren't great against a pretty similar player earlier in the year in Chad Kelly and Ole Miss. Inside the SEC, Alabama has faced some great running backs and overall strong offenses, but they haven't faced a quarterback with the skills of Watson. It will be interesting to see how Kirby Smart, in his finale as defensive coordinator at Alabama, handles Watson.

On the other side of the ball, Alabama will bring their typical, grind-it-out style of offense, but most likely with a twist. Throughout the Nick Saban era, the Tide have always run the ball with power, and that hasn't changed at all this year, with Derrick Henry leading the way. But, Lane Kiffin has added a new element to the 'Bama offense since he arrived in Tuscaloosca, adding an up-tempo attack and leaning slightly more on the passing attack. Alabama's aerial attack hasn't exactly been scary this year, but is seemed to find it's full rhythm last week in their 38-0 drilling of Michigan State. QB Jake Coker looked poised and confident as he dissected the Spartans, and he will enter his final game in college with significant momentum. He'll be helped by rising superstar Calvin Ridley, a true freshman, who has already broken records in his short time with Alabama. Along with Ridley, Coker will search for tight end O.J. Howard. Howard is crazy talented but slumped mightily throughout the season. Though, he seemed to find some space in the Cotton Bowl, and he is an absolute nightmare matchup for the Tigers. Outside of the passing game, Clemson will have to prove they can contain Henry, which few teams have managed to do this year. Henry is an absolute monster who seems to never tire. And, even when he does, Kenyan Drake can bail him out as a change of pace, with more speed and explosiveness. Clemson's rush defense has been strong all year, but they will certainly get tested by the punch of Henry and Drake. Though, this Clemson defense did do a great job earlier in the year when they managed to contain Florida State's Dalvin Cook, a similar runner to Henry.

While Clemson's offense obviously gets a lot of attention (and they rightfully should), the defense has been surprisingly terrific. Talent was never a question mark for the unit but there was so much experience and leadership gone entering the campaign. The Tigers have found a number of weapons up front, led by defensive end Shaq Lawson (who will play in this game after injuring knee against Oklahoma) and tackle Carlos Watkins.  They will also be joined by a strong group of linebackers, including senior Ben Boulware, and a well-coached defensive backfield, that includes cornerback Mackensie Alexander. Boulware will help give Clemson's defensive line a fighting chance against Alabama's rushing attack, while Alexander will be tasked with shutting down Ridley. Ridley's speed and great route running ability have given teams fits, but Alexander has the advantage in size and experience. That matchup could very well change the game; if Alabama succeeds they have a huge edge up against the Tigers. If Alexander can tame Ridley, a major component of Alabama's offense is lost.

On the other side of the ball, Clemson will be led, clearly, by sophomore Deshaun Watson, who finished off third in Heisman voting this year. Watson has been great all year despite coming off a torn ACL last season. He has the type of arm that can make all the tough throws, and he plays with a maturity and confidence well beyond his years. Watson will also be supported by Gallman, and a solid crop of weapons at receiver. Artavis Scott is an absolute burner who has emerged as Watson's favorite target over the past two seasons, while veteran Charone Peake is a reliable player who is great at finding space. Meanwhile, tight end Jordan Leggett has quickly become a very lethal red zone weapon, with seven touchdowns on the year. It will be interesting to see just how successful he is though, as Alabama's defensive versatility allows them a number of defenders to contain the tight end.

This looks like it will certainly be an intriguing battle sure to come down to the wire. It features two teams that move the ball in very different ways. Clemson has a number of explosive playmakers to work with and can move the ball in bunches, while Alabama will still lean heavily on their power and grit. Both teams have proven defenses that could have some success, but Alabama has had more proven success against proven offenses. It is hard to bet against a defense that has shut down everybody they have played in the season's second half, and they should still have success even against Watson. Clemson should get all the credit in the world for an impressive campaign they have put together, and they could very well enter next year as the title favorite (with Watson, Scott and more set to return), but the Tide are the nation's hottest team. They have been absolutely dominant and become even more scary if Coker plays like he did against MSU. Most importantly, they have the edge in experience. Saban and Smart know these big games and know what needs to be done to win a national title. While Clemson is clearly on the rise and has been for awhile, they haven't played in a game this big under Dabo Swinney, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it.
Alabama, 28 Clemson, 24

CFB Playoff 2015-2016: Previewing Orange Bowl

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

It is easy to understand why there was anxiety around the Oklahoma football program entering 2015-2016. The Sooners were coming off a 8-5 year, a year in which they were a trendy Playoff pick. They were coming off major staff changes, that included bringing in 32-year-old Lincoln Riley as offensive coordinator. They were losing a number of players to the NFL, and above it all were the face of a university going through questions after a video of a racist frat went viral. And yet, what happened? The Sooners used Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield to engineer an improbable and entertaining rise to the College Football Playoff, where they will get their shot at taking down the nation's top squad, the Clemson Tigers in an Orange Bowl set to be a great one.

Mayfield arrived from Texas Tech to Norman as a walk-on. He had his moments at Texas Tech, but Kliff Kingsbury would soon fall in love with another young quarterback, Davis Webb, essentially forcing Mayfield out. Mayfield came out of nowhere to take over the quarterback job from incumbent Trevor Knight and threw 3,389 yards and 35 touchdowns. Just as impressive is the fact that he had just five interceptions and showed amazing efficiency despite being in air raid offense. Mayfield is a fearless, exciting player and Clemson's defense will have their hands full containing the junior. They will also have their hands full with the two-headed backfield, headed by Samaje Perine. Perine is a bulldog, amazingly strong for his size, but also possessing great speed and explosiveness. He will be joined by youthful Joe Mixon, who has had some moments this season. Expect big things as well from receiver Sterling Shepard. Shepard is truly a great story, a guy who grew up with the Oklahoma program and had to endure some tough years earlier in his career. Now though, he is the star receiver on the Big 12 Champion Sooners. The Tigers will attempt to counter Shepard with their top defensive back Mackensie Alexander, a proven NFL prospect. The former five-star recruit has amazing agility and great awareness, but Shepard should still find ways to make plays. Expect junior college transfer Dede Westbrook and underrated Durron Neal to help out Mayfield in the lethal Oklahoma passing game as well.

On the other side, Clemson is far from a slouch on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore Deshaun Watson, along with a suffocating defense, was a major reason why the Tigers went 13-0 and finished off the regular season with the nation's No. 1 spot. Watson built on a very promising true freshman year by throwing for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns and also showing he can be very dangerous with his legs, helping him finish off third in Heisman voting. Oklahoma's defense has been productive all season long, and it will be interesting to see how they handle Watson. The Sooners do have a number of solid players in their front seven that should help them succeed. Joining Watson is back Wayne Gallman, who put together a quietly huge year. With many teams focused intently on Watson, Gallman took advantage and ran for 1,332 yards and 10 scores. Gallman isn't an absolutely electrifying player, but he is a hard runner that can move the chains consistently. The Sooners will have to stop a number of Clemson weapons on the perimeter, mainly Artavis Scott, who has been Watson's favorite target over the past two years. Expect cornerback Zack Sanchez to be the one tasked with slowing down Scott. Sanchez has long been an established defensive back for Oklahoma, and has been even better this season.

While both teams will get a lot of attention because of their offenses, the talent on the other side of the ball is undeniable. Behind underrated defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Clemson held opponents to just 20 points per game, and showed a knack for forcing turnovers. Not only will Alexander play a big role in defending Shepard, but expect a big day from defensive end Shaq Lawson (in what should be his final game in a Tiger uniform) and the experienced crop of linebackers Clemson possesses. For Oklahoma, Sanchez will obviously play a huge role, as will linemen Charles Tapper. But, the player that may wreak the most havoc in this one is Eric Striker. Striker made a name for himself in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama in 2014, and is a physically imposing outside linebacker. Striker is blessed with a powerful first step and incredible stamina. He should definitely be dialed in and ready to get after Watson. Expect Clemson to install special blocking packages just so tame Striker.

In the two Playoff semifinals, this matchup holds the most intrigue for me. Not only does it feature two exciting offenses that can put points up in a hurry, it features two interesting squads. Clemson isn't familiar to being the team everyone wants to take down nationally, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust. Meanwhile, Oklahoma feels like a underdog, and is on absolute fire since a midseason drubbing at the hands of Texas. The more I watch Oklahoma, the more I see last year's Ohio State team. So many of the pieces fit together. Mayfield represents Cardale Jones, a highly doubted, but strong-armed and strong-willed quarterback. Mixon and Perine represent Ezekiel Elliott running all over opposing defenders. And, Shepard represents Devin Smith from a year ago, a senior ready to go out in a big way. Clemson is a heck of a football team and they might win against either Michigan State or Alabama. But, they drew a motivated and hungry Oklahoma team that nobody wants to play.
Oklahoma, 35 Clemson, 31

Post-Week One College Football Playoff Power Rankings

Jake Coker

Finally, after months and months of waiting, college football has made a triumphant return. Although Week One really was devoid of any major upsets, it still will have a major impact on the race to the College Football Playoff months from now. Sure, it is quick to overreact and jump to conclusions (remember when Kenny Hill and Texas A&M looked like the best team in the nation a year ago after the first week?), but if the season ended after just one week, here is how my Playoff would stack up:

The Four

1 Ohio State Buckeyes
It is hard to really take too much away from Ohio State's victory against a solid Virginia Tech squad. Sure, the final score indicated a blowout victory on the road for the Buckeyes, while in reality the team was down at halftime. Though, an injury to the Hokies' quarterback, Michael Brewer, helped push OSU over the top to a breeze of a win. The Buckeyes' offense looked particularly lethal against a stout Tech defense, with impressive performances from H-back Braxton Miller, receiver Michael Thomas, and Cardale Jones, who started at quarterback. Though, the scary thing about this Ohio State team is that they are only going to get better in Week 2 and onward; All-American defensive end Joey Bosa returns from suspension, along with offensive playmakers Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson. That makes this team even more scary to oncoming opponents. Even with a relative scare early on, Ohio State did enough to cement themselves as the team to beat in the nation right now, until someone proves them wrong.

2 Alabama Crimson Tide
The big game of the weekend was the neutral site clash between Alabama and Wisconsin, two power-run teams who were sure to create an exciting game. Instead, Alabama had no problems with the Badgers, easily getting past them. Derrick Henry quickly inserted his name into the Heisman conversation with a three touchdown day against a Wisconsin defense that looked lost, and long awaited Florida State transfer Jake Coker led the aerial attack which looked strong, even without Amari Cooper making every catch. Defensively, Alabama dominated the line of scrimmage against the Badgers and never let them get into any rhythm offensively. Overall, it was a statement that the Tide are certain to be reckoned with, and should be serious Playoff contender, even with a brutal schedule that is statistically the nation's toughest.

3 TCU Horned Frogs
TCU managed to add a quality win to their resume, taking home a road victory against Minnesota. Although, it wasn't the prettiest of games, TCU's defense played terrific, certainly a good sign for a unit that has questions with the losses of a number of key contributors. Offensively, the Horned Frogs, who averaged 46.5 points per game a year and return 10 starters, didn't absolutely dominate, but considering it was their first game, some struggles were to be expected. Trevone Boykin still kept his name on the Heisman short list with a quality game, while the ground game was able to rack up a ton of yardage led by explosive senior back Aaron Green. The win was a solid start to the year for TCU, and gives the Horned Frogs a leg up over Baylor and others with a nice non-conference vcitory on the road.

4 Auburn Tigers
Much like TCU, the Tigers weren't exactly dominant in their opener. The offense had some rough moments, particularly QB Jeremy Johnson. Hyped as a Heisman dark horse entering the season, Johnson threw three interceptions. Even so, Peyton Barber and Roc Thomas along with a solid showing by the defense was enough to land Auburn a good win over a quality Louisville team. Although Auburn won by just one touchdown, the team held a lead the whole game and the victory should look nice in the committee's eyes and could help bump the Tigers over some other teams.

Next Four Out

Baylor Bears
The final score of the Baylor-SMU game might have the look of a blowout, when in reality, the Mustangs played pretty competitive against the Bears in the first game of the Chad Morris era. Baylor still obviously got the victory and certainly kept themselves in the Playoff mix, and the offense looked as sharp as ever under the leadership of new QB Seth Russell. But, the defense wasn't great and it was not the dominating victory Baylor needs with a cupcake non-conference slate.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
To be frank, Texas is not that good of a football team. Charlie Strong's team managed just 163 yards of total offense against the Irish in a Week One battle of college football heavyweights. Sure, ND's defense did play very well, but the Longhorns have a ton of problems and their struggles are more on them probably than the Irish D. Even so, Malik Zaire shredded Texas' defense and Jaylon Smith leads a hungry Irish defense. Even with Texas clearly struggling, a 35-point win over a team with that type of recognition will only help ND.

Michigan State Spartans
Quietly, P.J. Fleck has built a strong program in Kalmazoo, Michigan. But, the Western Michigan Broncos still were no match to Michigan State, who dominated the game from start to finish. Big name NFL prospect and Heisman candidate Connor Cook put together a big game against a flustered WMU defense, while the Spartans' defense was as strong as ever, even without defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi (now Pitt's head man) leading the charge.

Oregon Ducks
Just a few weeks ago, it wasn't clear whether or not Vernon Adams was going to for Oregon. The Eastern Washington transfer put up prolific numbers at the FCS level but was going to make a jump during his senior year to Oregon, hoping to boost his pro aspirations. Adams ended up playing against his former team, a still solid Eastern Washington squad. The Ducks' high-powered offense had no problems under the leadership of Adams but the defense allowed 500-plus yards to a FCS team. That's extremely worrying, what are they going to do when they face some of the elite spread offenses in the Pac-12, like both Arizona schools, UCLA and USC?

Others in the Mix
USC Trojans
Texas A&M Aggies
Georgia Bulldogs
Florida State Seminoles
Clemson Tigers
LSU Tigers
UCLA Bruins
Ole Miss Rebels
Arkansas Razorbacks
Oklahoma Sooners
Missouri Tigers
Tennessee Volunteers
Arizona Wildcats
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

College Football Playoff National Championship Prediction

Marcus Mariota

The inaugural season of the College Football Playoff era has been filled with upsets, exciting finishes and a fair share of controversy. Now, the 2014-2015 season will all culminate this Monday in a matchup of two teams with something left to prove. Oregon has been among the best programs in the sport the last five to ten years but has yet to claim the elusive national title (lost to Cam Newton and Auburn in 2011). On the other side, Ohio State will try to prove the Big Ten is still a conference to be reckoned with and that they truly did deserve a Playoff berth, if beating Alabama did not already prove it to the entire nation.

Oregon, as usual, will bring their high-flying offense to the table, and one that has speed all over the place. The return of stud sophomore back Thomas Tyner now means the Ducks have three legitimately fantastic backs, including Tyner, true freshman Royce Freeman and the veteran of the trio, Byron Marshall. The offensive line, which struggled with injuries throughout the year is now at their healthiest, and it will pave a way for the Ducks' backs. Hroniss Grasu, a steady veteran at center, is finally healthy and Oregon will lean on the senior for leadership and his calming demeanor on this huge stage. At quarterback, Marcus Mariota has been the perfect example of why staying another year in college can be a very good thing. Despite first round projections, Mariota had unfinished business and decided to stay in Eugene another year. He has responded with 3,783 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and a Heisman trophy, and will hope to add a national title to his resume. Mariota's success has been completely different from other recent quarterbacks who have stayed in school an extra season. Matt Barkley at USC, Jake Locker at Washington and Tajh Boyd at Clemson all struggled in their senior seasons and fell down draft boards significantly (Boyd didn't even get drafted). While those quarterbacks struggled, Mariota has seemingly improved in his redshirt junior season. The native Hawaiian has showcased an amazing deep ball, a much better feel for the game and the ability to make big plays in crunch time, something he struggled with his first two years for the Ducks. Having the Heisman winner and a multitude of options at back will certainly fuel Oregon's offense, but they are without a couple key components at receiver. Electric playmaker Devon Allen, who is also a track star at Oregon, is out for the game after injuring his knee in the first play of the Rose Bowl against Florida State. Then, Darren Carrington, who ripped apart that Seminoles' defense in the Rose Bowl, was suspended for the title game. Add to that the longtime absence of explosive Bralon Addison, who tore his ACL during the spring (there was hope he might be able to return for this game) and the Ducks' receiving corps has been decimated. Still, Keanon Lowe is a dangerous weapon through the air, nearly all of Oregon's dynamic backs can catch, and tight end Evan Baylis, who is filling in for another injured Duck, had a strong showing against FSU. Plus, when you have a Heisman winner at quarterback who can do damage with his legs and his arm, you don't need a ton of help from your receivers.

Ohio State has proven time and time again they can also put up points in bunches, even with a third-

Jalin Marshall

stringer at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Cardale Jones, filling in for J.T. Barrett, who filled in for Braxton Miller, has been great in two starts. Despite playing in two huge games, the Big Ten Championship Game and Sugar Bowl, Jones has not let the pressure overwhelm him and he has played extremely well. While still mistake prone, Jones is a big, powerful thrower who has the arm strength to beat defenders over the top and the accuracy to fit the ball into tight windows on short or intermediate throws. Jones is also a dangerous dual threat, and the Oregon defense will have to be disciplined and smart in containing him. At running back, the Buckeyes on sophomore Ezekiel Elliott, who has filled in wonderfully for the graduated Carlos Hyde this season. Elliott has ran for 1,402 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Elliott's speed and shiftiness helped carry him to a 85-yard touchdown against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, which propelled OSU to the victory. The Ducks will have their hands full containing home run threat Devin Smith, a senior who has had a huge second half for Ohio State this season. Smith is an absolute speedster and has nice size, allowing him to make unbelievably tough catches on deep balls. Jones will almost certainly look for the senior deep a couple times early against a Ducks' secondary that is also banged up. Along with Smith, reliable Evan Spencer will almost certainly give Oregon problems as well, along with Jalin Marshall. A redshirt freshman, Marshall might be the most versatile athlete on the field in a game full of absolute studs on both sides of the ball. The receiver can not just do damage as a weapon in the passing game, he can carry the ball, throw the ball (on the depth chart, he is Jones' backup right now) and is an absolute load to handle on special teams. While the Ohio State offensive line did not get much credit this year, it has been superb ever since a disastrous showing earlier in the year against Virginia Tech.

For years, the Oregon offense has gotten all the credit for the Ducks being a constant national title contender. It does make sense, the offense has rewritten the rules for "up-tempo" offenses and has had some incredible athletes pass through the past couple seasons. But, the change of fortunes for the Ducks this year has not been the offense getting any better, it has been all defensively. The defense isn't superb statistically, in fact it allows over 400 yards of offense per game. But, somehow it was 27th in scoring defense and causes turnovers at a dizzying rate, something Florida State knows first hand. The front seven has heard all the talk about the defense being "soft" for too long and has been absolute beastly in 2014-2015. Arik Armstead, a 6'8" monster of a defensive end leads the front seven, along with physical DeForest Buckner and Joe Walker, a major help in run support. Hybrid linebacker Tony Washington has always had the talent to be great but has had major ups and major downs in his collegiate career. A dazzling showing in the Rose Bowl that included recovering Jameis Winston's fumble for a touchdown has convinced me he has fulfilled his vast potential.  The big question for the Ducks' defense will be their secondary, which is without All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who injured his knee leading up to the Rose Bowl. Though, the questions were the same against Florida State and led by Troy Hill and a number of other contributors the Ducks' pass defense shut down the Seminoles best receiver (and one of the best in the nation) Rashad Greene. The secondary once more will have to have a great day but it is worrying going up against a team like the Buckeyes, who spread the field so well. FSU doesn't have the deep threats of OSU and if the Buckeyes can hit some deep throws, they will definitely be in great position.

The Ohio State defense had some major question marks entering the year, especially when they allowed over 300 yards of rushing to Navy in the season opener. But, much like the offense improved, the defense took major steps throughout the course of the year and is strong, especially in the front seven. Defensive end Joey Bosa is among the nation's most intimidating linemen and he has had a huge 2014-2015. After recording a solid 7.5 sacks in his freshman campaign, Bosa has exploded for 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, which is seventh best in all of the land. Joining him up front is senior Michael Bennett, who clogs running lanes, and junior Adolphus Washington, a very nimble tackle. The loss of Noah Spence, who has been suspended all season long, seemed to hurt the Buckeyes originally, but Steve Miller has come on down the stretch. He made an absolute wonderful play in the Sugar Bowl to pick off Blake Sims and take it to the house, a key turning point in the game. Add to that Joshua Perry, a linebacker who recorded 112 tackles on the season, along with Darron Lee, who had 66 tackles and six sacks, and Ohio State will almost certainly put up a great fight against the Ducks' fantastic rush offense. The Ohio State secondary was a major question mark entering the year but it has solidified itself as a great unit, much like this defense as a whole. Doran Grant and the rest of the secondary, which includes playmakers Vonn Bell and Eli Apple, held Amari Cooper to his lowest output of the year and if they can contain Lowe and Byron Marshall of Oregon, Mariota will have a tough time getting the ball to any receiver.

This going to be the perfect Championship game for fans of the sports. After years of SEC slugfests in the BCS system, the CFB Playoff has pitted two explosive offenses against each other in a game full of storylines. While it seems obvious to pick the team with the Heisman winner and an extremely motivated defense against a team with a third-stringer at quarterback, the Buckeyes have a real chance to win Urban Meyer's third national championship, and first in Columbus. In normal circumstances, Oregon might well be the more talented team between these two. But, the Ducks are banged up in so many key areas, and the absence of Ekpre-Olomu could be a major problem if Smith continues his hot stretch. Plus, the Buckeyes amount of momentum entering this game could easily propel them to a victory. Sure, Oregon has quite a bit of momentum too, following a 39-point beat down of the defending champion, but Ohio State has been absolutely terrifying under Cardale Jones and I think they can continue it. This one is sure to be a high-scoring affair unless turnovers become a problem (but with Mariota, who has just two interceptions all season, that is doubtful) and an exciting one to the very end. I think the magic of the Buckeyes' late postseason run under Jones can continue, especially considering the injuries and suspensions throughout the Ducks' lineup.
Ohio State, 42 Oregon, 38

College Football Playoff Picks 2014-2015: Rose and Sugar Bowl

Blake Sims

Sugar Bowl: 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes

 
When Ohio State and third string quarterback Cardale Jones managed to jump both TCU and Baylor for the final Playoff spot, it was met mixed reviews by the college football world. The Buckeyes played in the Big Ten (which has been notoriously down for years), didn't play much of a non-conference slate and lost to a pretty weak Virginia Tech team. Now, the Buckeyes will get a chance to prove those doubters wrong with what would be a pretty major upset over Alabama in a clash of coaching legends, Urban Meyer and Nick Saban. While the loss of J.T. Barrett for the rest of the year spelled doom for Ohio State, Jones filled in a big way in the team's Big Ten Championship game victory, making some fabulous throws en route to a 59-0 beatdown of Wisconsin. The Tide have a defense superior to Wisconsin's and one that will put pressure in Jones' face. A'Shawn Robinson is a 300-plus linemen who has amazing athleticism for his size and could force Jones into mistakes. Though, it isn't Jones who the Tide really have to worry about, it is his weapons around him. Ezekiel Elliott has had a huge year at back for the Buckeyes and gets better as the season goes on. Senior receiver Devin Smith has embarrassed defenders on countless occasions throughout the season, and Jalin Marshall can impact the game in so many different ways, especially on special teams. That offense will certainly be tough to stop, but Kirby Smart and Alabama's defense will be up to the challenge. Not only will Robinson look to make a major impact, inside linebacker Trey DePriest is a leader who can make plays all across the field. In the back, ball-hawking safety Landon Collins will look to capitalize off any mistakes Jones makes, and he will make some. Lane Kiffin has done tremendous things in his one year in Tuscaloosca and he has Alabama's offense humming. Somehow, Kiffin's change to a more up-tempo, spread offensive look has worked seamlessly, despite Saban running a pro-style type look for years. Quarterback Blake Sims has been absolutely fantastic in his senior season, dazzling in his time after waiting for years for this opportunity. Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon, if healthy, will run the ball and challenge an Ohio State rush defense that has had some rough moments. The real challenge for Ohio State will be containing Amari Cooper, who seems to only play better when the stage is elevated. Darian Hicks will most likely be the corner tasked with stopping Cooper, though he will have reinforcements behind him. Hicks is a good athlete with the size and speed to keep up with Cooper in the most part. It will be tough for the Buckeyes to completely stop Cooper, but holding him to relatively pedestrian numbers would be a huge win. OSU defensive end Joey Bosa will play a major role in this game. Bosa is the Buckeyes best pass rusher and will therefore need to apply pressure to Sims, but will also need to help in run support, something he is pretty unfamiliar with. Depending on how well he completes those tasks will be a key point in this Sugar Bowl battle. Few teams can lose both their starting and second-string quarterback and be expected to compete with one of the best teams in the land, but Ohio State is talented enough to hang with Alabama. Though, if Cooper isn't contained or the running game dominates, they will have little chance of an upset. If Jones can limit his mistakes and Elliott and the Buckeyes' other weapons can make plays they have a shot to squeeze out a victory. Unfortunately, stopping Cooper and scoring many points against Alabama might be too much for the Buckeyes to handle.
Alabama, 31 Ohio State, 21

Rose Bowl: 2 Oregon Ducks vs. 3 Florida State Seminoles

Jalen Ramsey

Last year, Jameis Winston was able to win the Heisman and lead the Seminoles to a national championship, doing magical things all along the way. This year, Marcus Mariota has done much the same for the Ducks, except with one major part missing: the national title, which has eluded Oregon since the program's sudden rise under Chip Kelly. Mariota leads an Oregon offense that will put points on the board in bunches. Royce Freeman has rejuvenated the Ducks' ground attack, while Devon Allen is a speedster at receiver. The major change though has been at offensive line, where the return of versatile linemen Jake Fisher has helped keep Mariota on his feet, where he does crazy things. It is hard to get a read on just how good Florida State's defense is this season. While it has had some superb moments, it has also struggled in close wins over Oklahoma State, Notre Dame and Clemson. But, the Seminoles' defense always finds ways to make plays when they need them. Defensive back Jalen Ramsey is among the nation's most versatile playmakers. Ramsey can make some great plays in coverage, in run support or even as a blitzer, where his long, strong frame can bat down balls and get in the face of opposing quarterbacks. Mario Edwards and Eddie Goldman are massive loads to handle as pass rushers and they could also help contain Freeman and the rest of Oregon's playmaking backs in rush defense. While he has not been nearly as good as last year, Jameis Winston is still undefeated as a starting quarterback and continues to lead a balanced Florida State offensive attack. Winston has struggled throughout first halves all year but there are few players in the country that can make some of the plays he makes in clutch times. He seems to come out stronger and more aggressive in the second half and he has made some huge throws this year. The emergence of true freshman Dalvin Cook at back has helped the 'Noles become more versatile and not one-dimensional, which will keep defenses guessing. Rashad Greene, improving Travis Rudolph and steady tight end Nick O'Leary will be Winston's top targets in this one and at least one will have to step up in a big way (like Kelvin Benjamin in last year's BCS Championship Game) if the Seminoles are too pull off the victory. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is a playmaker at cornerback for the Ducks and he will be likely tasked with containing Greene. Ekpre-Olomu has struggled at times but there isn't a better defensive back in the entire nation than him when playing well. Arik Armstead and a plethora of massive Oregon linemen will be tasked with pressuring Winston and forcing him out of the pocket, along with containing Cook. It has been a really weird year for the Seminoles, they are clearly undefeated but if not for a lucky bounce or missing opportunity for the opponent, they could have three or four losses at this point. While the Ducks and their proven Heisman winning quarterback Marcus Mariota are clearly the safer pick, something points to FSU. If Winston can make some of the plays he has made all year in the second half and the defense can pressure Mariota, the Seminoles will be in good position. Too often Oregon has choked in big games and while they might jump out to an early lead, Florida State has the clutch (or maybe just luck) ability to win this game in a thriller.
Florida State, 38 Oregon, 35