My predictions for the first 12 team CFP:
1st Round
5 Texas vs 12 Clemson
I don’t think Clemson has much of a chance here. I think they have gotten better as the season has gone on, but I believe with how consistent Texas plays, especially on defense, you need ELITE talent to beat them, and Clemson doesn’t have that. Texas has the best defense in the country, and Clemson’s offense is extremely boom or bust.
Texas wins 31-14
6 Penn State vs 11 SMU
Seeing how SMU played against superior talent in the ACC championship, I doubt they will be able to keep this game very competitive. Penn State destroys everyone with inferior talent, and this will be no different.
Penn State wins 35-21
7 Notre Dame vs 10 Indiana
Notre Dame had their hiccup against NIU, and they have been dominating everyone since/ Indiana has been pretty dominant as well, except for their only game against a noteworthy team where they shat the bed against Ohio State. There is definitely a world where Indiana wins this game, but I Notre Dame has been so dominant, that I just can’t pick against them.
Notre Dame wins 30-21
8 Ohio State vs 9 Tennessee
This is definitely the most intriguing of the 1st round matchups. Ohio State has been so good this year, but they happened to run into their annual Michigan wall. Tennessee is basically just Michigan but way better with their dominant defense, great running game, and inconsistent yet possibly dangerous passing game. On paper, it sounds like Ohio State should be in trouble here, but I think the Buckeyes just have a huge Michigan problem. They will be motivated and ready to go and get the win as their offense can move the ball much better through the air than Tennessee can.
Ohio State wins 17-13
Quarterfinals
1 Oregon vs 8 Ohio State
Oregon must play my no. 5 team while Texas and Penn State get cakewalks… Pretty great format huh? This game should be much like the first. These defenses are good, but definitely have holes that the other is built to expose. This should be a back and forth affair, but I think Oregon will get out with win because I think I can trust Dillon Gabriel that much more than Will Howard.
Oregon wins 31-28
2 Georgia vs 7 Notre Dame
Georgia has been a wildcard all year, but I’m gonna go with Notre Dame to get the upset. The only team Georgia has played with a defense of this caliber was against Texas, and they didn’t move the ball all that well. Along with Gunnar Stockton making his first start, I think Notre Dame’s DBs could have a field day. If Georgia’s running game was as good as it has been during the rest of the Kirby Smart era, I would still pick the dawgs, but this years running game just isn’t the same.
Notre Dame wins 20-17
3 Boise State vs 6 Penn State
What a joke that Boise State gets an auto-bye. Penn State should mop the floor with the Broncos as Penn State typically does to these kinds of teams. Jeanty should get a few explosive runs, but that’s it.
Penn State wins 41-14
4 Arizona State vs 5 Texas
This should be even more of a blowout than the last. Texas’ path is so easy in the first two rounds, and their defense should be able to dominate, especially at the line of scrimmage. I also can’t imagine ASU’s defense stopping Texas’ explosive offense.
Texas wins 48-10
Semifinals
1 Oregon vs 5 Texas
This game is the classic best offense versus best defense matchup. Guess who always wins those games? The best defense. I’m taking Texas. They’re better in the trenches, and their offense is better than Oregon’s defense. The winner of this will most likely go on to win it all whoever they go against in the championship.
Texas wins 27-23
6 Penn State vs 7 Notre Dame
This game should be a slug fest. Inconsistent QBs and great running gems along with stifling defenses. However, there is one thing that separates these two coaches. Freeman can win the big games, and Franklin never does.
Notre Dame wins 20-16
National Championship
5 Texas vs 7 Notre Dame
These are probably the two best defenses in the country. Both of these QBs wil hve a really hard time getting anything going. The difference in this game will be who can take advantage of the other’s mistakes, because mistakes are bound to happen. I trust Texas a little more, especially on the O-line, so the Longhorns are my pick to win the National Championship.
Texas wins 16-13
JacobErwin.com 