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Bowl Projections 2018: CFP Predictions After Latest Playoff Rankings
November 8, 2018
The second College Football Playoff rankings of the season gave us little to debate.
The playoff discussion is as straightforward as it can be at the moment, as each of the top four teams are deserving of their positions, and if they all win out, they'll be in the playoff.
Since this is college football, we're expecting something to go haywire during the final four weeks of games that will shake up the rankings and stir up the playoff debate.
Although the specter of a playoff-altering upset is out there, there's plenty of confidence in each of the teams in playoff positions to finish strong and set up a pair of mammoth clashes.
Bowl Projections
College Football Playoff
Cotton Bowl (December 29): No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Michigan
Orange Bowl (December 29): No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
New Year's Six
Peach Bowl (December 29): UCF vs. Georgia
Fiesta Bowl (January 1): Oklahoma vs. Kentucky
Rose Bowl (January 1): Ohio State vs. Washington State
Sugar Bowl (January 1): West Virginia vs. LSU
Other Bowls
New Mexico Bowl (December 15): San Diego State vs. North Texas
Cure Bowl (December 15): Akron vs. Arkansas State
Las Vegas Bowl (December 15): Fresno State vs. USC
Camellia Bowl (December 15): Western Michigan vs. Coastal Carolina
New Orleans Bowl (December 15): Marshall vs. UL-Monroe
Boca Raton Bowl (December 18): South Florida vs. Florida International
Frisco Bowl (December 19): Nevada vs. Toledo
Gasparilla Bowl (December 20): Memphis vs. Miami
Bahamas Bowl (December 21): Ohio vs. Middle Tennessee State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (December 21): Boise State vs. Northern Illinois
Birmingham Bowl (December 22): Cincinnati vs. California
Armed Forces Bowl (December 22): Temple vs. Appalachian State
Dollar General Bowl (December 22): Buffalo vs. Georgia Southern
Hawaii Bowl (December 22): Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech
First Responder Bowl (December 26): BYU vs. Georgia Tech
Quick Lane Bowl (December 26): Army vs. UAB
Cheez-It Bowl (December 26): Baylor vs. Colorado
Independence Bowl (December 27): Virginia Tech vs. Oregon
Pinstripe Bowl (December 27): Iowa vs. Duke
Texas Bowl (December 27): Oklahoma State vs. Missouri
Music City Bowl (December 28): NC State vs. Arizona State
Camping World Bowl (December 28): Syracuse vs. Texas Tech
Alamo Bowl (December 28): Texas vs. Arizona
Belk Bowl (December 29): Boston College vs. South Carolina
Arizona Bowl (December 29): Utah State vs. Troy
Military Bowl (December 31): Virginia vs. Houston
Sun Bowl (December 31): Stanford vs. Pittsburgh
Redbox Bowl (December 31): Purdue vs. Washington
Liberty Bowl (December 31): Iowa State vs. Texas A&M
Holiday Bowl (December 31): Utah vs. Wisconsin
Gator Bowl (December 31): Northwestern vs. Florida
Outback Bowl (January 1): Mississippi State vs. Penn State
Citrus Bowl (January 1): Auburn vs. Michigan State
College Football Playoff Predictions
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Michigan
All Alabama and Michigan have to do to reach the playoff is beat two weak opponents, defeat a rival and win a conference championship game.
The unstoppable Crimson Tide, led by Heisman Trophy favorite Tua Tagovailoa, scored at least 39 points in every game before the 29-0 rout of LSU, which honestly felt more like 59-0.
Although Alabama's resume might not look as good as the other three playoff teams, it'll eventually turn out fine with three ranked foes left on the schedule.
Mississippi State is the latest team tasked with trying to slow down the Tide offense, and although the Bulldogs could put up a fight defensively, they lack the consistent offense to challenge Nick Saban's team for four quarters.
Alabama's Week 12 game with The Citadel will feel more like a walk through practice, while the Iron Bowl matchup with Auburn is one-sided given the Tigers' inconsistency, and if Gus Malzahn's team loses to Georgia Saturday, they'll be even less faith in it pulling off an upset at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
If the Tide pass all three November tests as they should, they'll enter the SEC Championship Game undefeated.
A win over Georgia will solidify Alabama's spot atop the playoff rankings, but a loss will throw everything off.
Alabama could still get in with a loss to Georgia, but we don't see a defeat in the Tide's future. They'll be able to outduel Kirby Smart's team on offense, as they average 13.2 more points per game than the SEC East champion.
While Alabama's been flexing its offensive muscle, Michigan's shined on defense during its climb up to No. 4.
The Wolverines possess the top defense in the FBS, and their stats on that side of the ball will only improve with Rutgers and Indiana ahead in the next two weeks.
The only challenge left on Michigan's schedule is Ohio State, who could make a compelling case to qualify for the playoff if it wins out.
Despite facing a fight from the Buckeyes, Michigan will use its recent poor history against the Buckeyes and playoff qualification as motivation to get past its biggest rival and win the Big Ten East.
A win in the Big Ten Championship Game over a weaker Big Ten West opponent, who right now would be Northwestern, will set the Wolverines up for a clash of the nation's top defense against the first-ranked offense.
No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
Although the ACC hasn't lived up to expectations in 2018, it's going to be a major player in the playoff discussion over the next two weeks.
No. 2 Clemson faces a difficult road trip to Boston College in Week 11, while No. 3 Notre Dame takes on Syracuse at Yankee Stadium in Week 12.
If the Tigers and Fighting Irish pass those tests and win out, they'll be squaring off in a national semifinal because of Notre Dame's head-to-head win over Michigan putting it at the No. 3 seed.
Clemson's proved it's the only team in the nation capable of matching Alabama's dominance, with its 77-point outburst against Louisville being the latest example of that.
However, it will be interesting to see how the Tigers respond to a prime-time road environment at Boston College, especially if they go down.
While falling behind is a possibility against the Eagles, the Clemson defensive line will have a say in how the game plays out, as the powerful front four stops Boston College's top offensive weapon in running back A.J. Dillon.
As long as Clemson knocks off Boston College, it'll be in the playoff. Home games against Duke and South Carolina, as well as the ACC Championship Game, could all be blowouts.
As for Notre Dame, it faces a matchup with Syracuse in a week's time that could be trickier than expected, as the Orange are in the mix for a New Year's Six bowl if they win out.
What will eventually separate the Fighting Irish from their final of four ACC opponents is their experience in winning tight games.
Brian Kelly's team won four one-possession games and has proved on a few occasions that it can absorb the best punch from its opponents, with Week 10's win over Northwestern being the latest contest in which that occurred.
A potential matchup between the Tigers and Fighting Irish could turn into a defensive struggle, as both programs rank in the Top 20 in scoring defense.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.