College Bowl Picks 2014-15: Predictions for Playoffs and More Top Matchups
Sunday marked a day college football fans everywhere had been waiting for years to finally come. Yet somehow, many were still left unhappy with the results of the first ever College Football Playoff bracket.
The committee released the latest Top 25 rankings with Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State in the Top Four. Meanwhile, programs like TCU and Baylor were left on the outside looking in but will still face worthy opponents in two notable bowls.
While the Rose and Sugar Bowls will garner the most attention, there are quite a few other selection committee bowls.
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Prior to the start of the postseason matchups, here's a look at predictions for the playoff and other top matchups.
| Sugar Bowl | Jan. 1 | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Ohio State | Alabama |
| Rose Bowl | Jan. 1 | No. 2 Oregon vs. No. 3 Florida State | Oregon |
| Cotton Bowl | Jan. 1 | Michigan State vs. Baylor | Baylor |
| Orange Bowl | Dec. 31 | Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech | Mississippi State |
| Fiesta Bowl | Dec. 31 | Boise State vs. Arizona | Boise State |
| Peach Bowl | Dec. 31 | Ole Miss vs. TCU | Ole Miss |
Playoff Breakdown
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the teams that made the playoff, every team is worthy of its ranking. That makes predicting winners in both semifinals an arduous task.
Luckily, there is a full season of results to reflect on when trying to pick who will make the national championship game.
One player who has made a statement every time he's taken the field this season is Amari Cooper. The Alabama receiver has torched each opponent this season, solidifying himself as a Heisman Trophy contender alongside Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
ESPN Stats & Info notes Cooper's production this season:
Along with quarterback Blake Sims, the tandem has been one of the main reasons for the Crimson Tide earning the No. 1 ranking. Cooper's electric play has also caught the eye of OSU coach Urban Meyer, via Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News:
Facing an Ohio State team that loves to keep the ball on the ground, Alabama will need to make the most of every offensive opportunity. Having a player like Cooper to take the top off the Buckeyes defense will be the difference to put Bama through to the national championship.
As for that other Heisman contender, Mariota is looking to cap off a special year with a national title. He has a chance to not only dethrone Jameis Winston for the Heisman, but also end Florida State's winning streak.
FSU coach Jimbo Fisher addressed the matchup between the two notable quarterbacks, via Marty Smith of ESPN:
Going against Florida State in the Rose Bowl, Oregon is coming off a huge victory over Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship Game. The revenge game for the Ducks was led again by Mariota, who finished the day with 346 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns.
Much like Cooper, Mariota has paced his team all season with phenomenal numbers, via Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports:
By the end of New Year's Day, only two teams will stand with a chance to win the title. Given their sensational play this season, those programs will be Alabama and Oregon.
A matchup featuring two of the most dynamic players in the country will undoubtedly be a must-watch title game. Coming off two blowout wins in their conference championships, expect plenty of offensive fireworks from these teams in the final game of the season.
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