College Football Playoff 2015: Full Bowl Predictions For Biggest Matchups
This time of year, there's nothing quite like making projections when it comes to the bowl games and College Football Playoff. The second year of the playoff system could be a pretty smooth endeavor, or we could have major controversy.
As it stands, the playoff will feature Oklahoma, the winner of the Big Ten title game, Alabama if it wins the SEC title game and Clemson if it wins the ACC championship contest. That's the simple setup. But will it happen?
Yes, probably. It's hard to imagine a red-hot Alabama team losing to a Florida that was just pretty easily handled by Florida State, for one thing. And while Clemson won't have an easy matchup against an underrated North Carolina side, the Tigers have been far more tested this season than the Tar Heels and have come through it unscathed.
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Finally, I think Michigan State will knock off Iowa. The Spartans were about 17 seconds away from being unbeaten themselves, while Iowa hasn't faced a team of Oregon, Michigan or Ohio State's level this year. Yes, the Hawkeyes could pull off the upset, but it's pretty hard to bet against the Spartans in this one.
So, with those predictions in mind, what will be the playoff matchups and bowl scenarios?
Orange Bowl Playoff Matchup: No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Oklahoma
Oklahoma is one of the hottest teams in the country with a Heisman contender in Baker Mayfield leading the way. Going to Baylor and Oklahoma State coming away with wins is impressive.
Clemson is an excellent team, but the Sooners have the feel of Ohio State last year, a team that underachieved a bit earlier in the season before really hitting their stride. Give me the Sooners.
Prediction: Oklahoma wins
Cotton Bowl Playoff Matchup: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan State
Fans of physical, defensive football will love this one. Ultimately, if you think Michigan State can slow down Derrick Henry, go with the Spartans. But if you have your doubts in that regard—and I do—stick with the Crimson Tide.
Prediction: Alabama wins
National Championship: Alabama vs. Oklahoma
I'm not betting against the Crimson Tide. I think Oklahoma is an excellent football team, but Alabama has the look of a champion right now. The Crimson Tide have handled every test since Ole Miss with aplomb.
Prediction: Alabama wins
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Stanford
You could make a strong argument that Ohio State is one of the four best teams in the country, and there's still a chance it could sneak into the playoff. After all, the team lost to Michigan State by a field goal. Were it not for the seasons Michigan State and Iowa had, Ohio State would probably be the Big Ten's representative in the playoff.
Alas, that's not how the cookie crumbled. But Ohio State's sheer talent will make them the favorites against Stanford, a very good team in its own right. This will be a very physical football game. I'll take the Buckeyes by the slimmest of margins.
One other thing—don't eliminate Ohio State from playoff contention just yet.
“Protocol clearly says there can be more than one team from a conference in the final four, so that's definitely a possibility,” selection committee chairman Jeff Long said, per Chuck Culpepper of the Washington Post.
Still, Ohio State needs a whole bunch of help. The Buckeyes likely need two of the group of Alabama, Clemson and Stanford to lose to get in. The best possible scenario would probably be losses from Alabama and Stanford, as Ohio State would be the natural choice to reach the playoff with those teams dropping out of contention.
That's a long shot, of course. But the Buckeyes can dream. Regardless, I'll take them over Stanford.
Prediction: Ohio State wins
Sugar Bowl: Baylor vs. Ole Miss
Toss a coin in this one. And get ready for the fireworks.
Baylor is scoring 50.8 points per game (tops in the nation) and 616 yards per game (also first). Ole Miss, meanwhile, is averaging 40.3 points per contest (13th in the nation) and 515 yards per contest (11th).
The difference?
Ole Miss is allowing about five less points per game and less yards per game as well. The Ole Miss defense hasn't been elite, but it'll give the Rebels a slight advantage in this matchup.
Prediction: Ole Miss wins
Peach Bowl: Florida State vs. Iowa
I just have this sneaky suspicion Iowa is going to be exposed a little bit against Michigan State. You have to give the Hawkeyes credit for winning the schedule that was in front of them, but when your best wins were against Northwestern and Wisconsin, well, folks are going to have some questions.
Florida State is flawed itself, sure, but the team looked pretty darn good hammering Florida. This game should be close, but I'll take the Seminoles.
Prediction: Florida State wins
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Houston
Notre Dame was four points away from being a playoff team, as two-point losses to Clemson and Stanford—two of the better teams in the country this year, it should be noted—dropped them out of playoff consideration.
Houston won't be a pushover, mind you. If it is playing in this game it means Temple were knocked off in the American Athletic championship game, and the Owls nearly beat Notre Dame earlier in the year.
But the Fighting Irish will have something to prove after being so close to the playoff. They won't let this one slip away.
Prediction: Notre Dame
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