Predicting the CFB Playoff

Halfway through the college football season, the College Football Playoff is starting to form right before our eyes. So, it’s time to predict the rest of the season and what 12 teams make the College Football Playoff.

Andrew’s Predictions

1. Oregon - Big Ten Champ

2. Texas - SEC Champ

3. Clemson - ACC Champ

4. Boise State - MW Champ

5. Ohio State

6. Georgia

7. Penn State

8. BYU - Big 12 Champ

9. Miami

10. LSU

11. Iowa State

12. Tennessee

I decided to get a little extreme with my predictions. Boise State wins out and because of how unknown the Big 12 is, sneaks into the fourth spot by being ranked higher than I predicted Big 12 Champion, BYU. Iowa State loses in the Big 12 Championship Game but survives a scare and sneaks into one of the final spots.

The Big Ten plays out how everyone predicts, Oregon easily makes the Big Ten Championship Game while Ohio State defeats Penn State in Happy Valley to get the second spot in the Championship. Other contenders like Indiana fall to Ohio State and at least one other team on a tougher schedule the rest of the season.

Texas drops one game at some point in the tough SEC Conference, but still makes the SEC Championship Game and wins the conference. Three other SEC teams make the playoff with Georgia, LSU and Tennessee. Georgia loses in the SEC Championship to Texas and falls to the No. 6 position in the rankings. The other two get in just based on their record.

Clemson and Miami face off in the ACC Championship Game. The winner gets the top four spot the other gets another spot. The Tigers have looked really strong and have bounced back big. This matchup could go either way but Clemson’s momentum and domination so far prove they are still at the top of the ACC.

Ben’s Predictions

1. Texas- SEC Champ

2. Oregon-Big Ten Champ

3. Clemson- ACC Champ

4. Boise State- MW Champ

5. Penn State

6. Ohio State

7. Georgia

8. LSU

9. Miami

10. Alabama

11. BYU

12. Iowa State

With how great Ashton Jeanty has been playing, he can carry this Boise State squad to a top-four spot.

I decided against putting a Big 12 team in the top four just because of the lack of star power in the conference, but definitely see a couple of those teams sneaking in.

Oregon looks like the team to beat in the Big Ten and that’s why I have them winning the conference, especially after their performance against Ohio State last weekend.

I think Penn State can send Ohio State to two losses in Happy Valley, giving the Nittany Lions the upper hand here.

With the SEC looking as dominant as ever, I predict at least four teams will make the playoff from that conference.

Owen’s Predictions

1. Texas - SEC Champ

2. Oregon - Big Ten Champ

3. Miami - ACC Champ

4. BYU - Big 12 Champ

5. Ohio State

6. Penn State

7. Georgia

8. Clemson

9. Texas A&M

10. LSU

11. Iowa State

12. Boise State - MW Champ

Alabama and Tennessee miss the playoff. Their two upset losses hurt their case.

Meanwhile, other teams stay competitive within the conference, resulting in four SEC teams making the playoffs.

The Texas Longhorns look like a juggernaut in the SEC. Led by their stifling defense that has allowed 6.3 points per game and 229.7 yards per game, each the fewest in the FBS, they will continue their success and win the conference in their first year.

In a competitive Big Ten, Oregon, coming off their crucial home win against Ohio State, will cruise to the Big Ten title game. Ohio State will bounce back, and I have Penn State falling short of the Big Ten Championship yet again as a loss to Ohio State in Happy Valley hurts their chances.

Led by Dillon Gabriel, and head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks will defeat Ohio State again, and Ryan Day will fold when it matters most.

The ACC proves to be a two-team race between Miami and Clemson for the title with the Hurricanes coming out victorious in what is a thrilling game between the conference’s two best offenses.

BYU’s defense has been dominant, shutting down the dynamic offenses of No. 17 Kansas State and No. 21 SMU to nine points and 15 points. I envision their defense being too good for the rest of the Big 12 teams on their schedule, including in the Big 12 Championship against Iowa State.

Boise State continues its great season en route to a Mountain West Championship. However, the dominance from BYU in the Big 12 will limit Ashton Jeanty’s historic season from boosting them anywhere above the best Group of 5 teams.

Jacob’s Predictions

1. Texas- SEC Champ

2. Oregon- Big Ten Champ

3. Miami- ACC Champ

4. Iowa State- Big 12 Champ

5. Penn State

6. Alabama

7. Ohio State

8. Notre Dame

9. BYU

10. Texas A&M

11. Georgia

12. Boise State

Texas will face their biggest challenge of the year so far against Georgia, but they are favored and are strong on both sides of the ball. Oregon just won their biggest game under Dan Lanning and is now in a prime position in the Big Ten. The ACC has turned into a two-team battle between Miami and Clemson, Miami has the talent advantage, but Clemson has shown to be on the rise after losing Week 1 to Georgia. To round out the top four conference champions Iowa State is under the strong leadership of Matt Campbell and Rocco Becht leading the Big 12.

The winner of Penn State and Ohio State in a couple of weeks will likely go to the Big Ten Championship and fall at No. 5. The loser of the game will likely still be in the playoff not far behind.

Although Alabama has struggled the last two weeks, they have the win over Georgia and the talent to win out. If they do, they go to the SEC Championship, and the loser of that game will be one of the first teams outside the top four.

Notre Dame had the one hiccup against Northern Illinois, but they’ve gotten their stride back, and they have the big win at Texas A&M to start the year. They have a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way and an 11-1 finish should secure the Irish a playoff spot.

BYU also has a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way giving them a shot at the Big 12 Championship Game. Making it there undefeated should secure their spot in the playoff regardless of the game’s result.

Texas A&M and Georgia both play Texas, but even a loss would only put them at two losses and both would have good enough resumes to get in with other top-25 victories.

As for one group of 5 teams being guaranteed a spot, Boise State’s only loss was by three points at Oregon. They’re led by Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty who is averaging 9.9 yards a carry and is already over 1,200 rushing yards and has 17 touchdowns on the season through only six games.

Tristan’s Predictions

1. Texas- SEC Champ

2. Oregon- Big Ten Champ

3. Miami- ACC Champ

4. Iowa State- Big 12 Champ

5. Penn State

6. LSU

7. Ohio State

8. Clemson

9. Notre Dame

10. BYU

11. Georgia

12. Boise State- MW Champ

Texas, Oregon, and Miami show they are clearly the best in their conferences and I don’t see any opposition for those conferences.

Iowa State is going to ride their first ranked defense in the Big 12 to the conference championship where they will shut down BYU’s offense who is bottom three in total offense. Iowa State also posts a 5-0 record against BYU with a 45-13 win last year.

Penn State will finally make the playoff at No. 5, with one loss. They are one of the teams benefitting the most, ranking in the top 12 six times since 2016.

After not playing in a conference championship, Penn State will take on a surprise one-loss Boise State team led by Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is averaging 9.9 yards per carry, top three in Heisman voting, and on pace to break the single-season rushing record, and will take the Broncos to No. 12, but no higher due to the lack of talent in their opposition.

No. 6, LSU, after losing to Texas in the SEC Championship, their strength of schedule is going to keep them up in the rankings. Georgia is going to sneak into the playoff with only two losses coming to a No. 4 ranked Alabama and a No. 1 ranked Texas.

No. 7 Ohio State will host BYU in a matchup of the conference championship losers. Ohio State will have a strong year, but two losses is going to hurt them. BYU will remain in the playoffs, but that single loss is going to drop them with only one ranked win on their schedule.

Clemson will be hurt from a conference championship in the rankings, but they will still rank above Notre Dame. Notre Dame will slide in at No. 9 with only the one blemish against NIU on their record, but the potential for four ranked wins will strengthen their case to be in the playoff.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, emailasd5765@psu.edu.

Ben Barker is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bsb5566@psu.edu.

Owen Daszko is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email opd5073@psu.edu.

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.

Tristan Kunec is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email tqk5432@psu.edu.