College Football Playoff & Conference Championships - Projections

[ArdmoreRyno]

I'm interested in hearing who you believe will make it to the College Football Playoffs this year and who will win their conference championship (winner in bold). Mid-Season projections... 

 

SEC - UGA v Alabama

Big XII - Oklahoma State v TCU

B1G: - Ohio State v Illinois 

ACC - Clemson v UNC

PAC 12 - Oregon v USC

 

CFP

 

1. UGA 

2. Ohio State

3. Clemson

4. USC

 

New Year Six teams

 

Orange Bowl: North Carolina v Tennessee

Sugar Bowl: Alabama v Oklahoma State

Cotton Bowl: TCU v Ole Miss
Rose Bowl: Oregon v Michigan

 

[ArdmoreRyno]

NOTES

 

• I believe you could see Wake in the Orange Bowl instead of UNC, just depends on how that game ends up in a few weeks. 
• Could also see Penn State making it to that same bowl. 

 

[YoloinOhio]

I just realized the first CFP ranking is this Tuesday. I predict it will be UGA, TN, Ohio St, Mich

[ArdmoreRyno]

48 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I just realized the first CFP ranking is this Tuesday. I predict it will be UGA, TN, Ohio St, Mich

 

Agreed. Possible Clemson jumps in there at #4 with them getting a 1st place vote in the AP. Possibly see TCU at that spot. Maybe.

 

Would be a damn shame to see Alabama in there. 

[Mark Vader]

23 hours ago, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

Agreed. Possible Clemson jumps in there at #4 with them getting a 1st place vote in the AP. Possibly see TCU at that spot. Maybe.

 

Would be a damn shame to see Alabama in there. 

That would be a shocker if Alabama were in it.

[Bill from NYC]

On 10/26/2022 at 12:54 PM, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

Agreed. Possible Clemson jumps in there at #4 with them getting a 1st place vote in the AP. Possibly see TCU at that spot. Maybe.

 

Would be a damn shame to see Alabama in there. 

Maybe Oklahoma State will slide in there instead!

 

Hey, they ARE first rate, no?

[gonzo1105]

If the committee was looking only at Resumes and not name brands the top 4 of the playoffs in my opinion should be 1. Tennessee 2. Georgia 3. TCU 4. Ohio State

[ArdmoreRyno]

On 10/30/2022 at 11:37 AM, Bill from NYC said:

Maybe Oklahoma State will slide in there instead!

 

Hey, they ARE first rate, no?

 

I never said we would. I thought before the season started, we'd be a top 4 team in the Big XII. I didn't think we'd even have a shot for the Big XII title game again with so many lost on defense and losing our star RB. But we managed until last week. Offensive line has been patched together with ducktape and rope the past 3 weeks. Somehow managed to come back 17 down to beat Texas with players who were 3rd on the depth chart in week one.

 

Top RB, top WR, 3 starting OL, two starting DE, 2 DB's - all out for the Kansas State game. Still would have lost the game if they played, but again... really banged up.

 

All that said, I was talking about... and I didn't think Alabama deserves to be in the CFP this year. Still don't..  It would STILL be a damn shame if an 11-1 Alabama makes it in over a TCU who might be 13-0. That's what I'm talking about dude. Doesn't have anything to do with OSU

 

 

23 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

If the committee was looking only at Resumes and not name brands the top 4 of the playoffs in my opinion should be 1. Tennessee 2. Georgia 3. TCU 4. Ohio State

 

Agreed. I think I'd put Ohio State at 3 over TCU. The Horned Frogs are GOOD, but they should have lost to my Pokes and barely got by Kansas and WVU.

[gonzo1105]

1 hour ago, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

I never said we would. I thought before the season started, we'd be a top 4 team in the Big XII. I didn't think we'd even have a shot for the Big XII title game again with so many lost on defense and losing our star RB. But we managed until last week. Offensive line has been patched together with ducktape and rope the past 3 weeks. Somehow managed to come back 17 down to beat Texas with players who were 3rd on the depth chart in week one.

 

Top RB, top WR, 3 starting OL, two starting DE, 2 DB's - all out for the Kansas State game. Still would have lost the game if they played, but again... really banged up.

 

All that said, I was talking about... and I didn't think Alabama deserves to be in the CFP this year. Still don't..  It would STILL be a damn shame if an 11-1 Alabama makes it in over a TCU who might be 13-0. That's what I'm talking about dude. Doesn't have anything to do with OSU

 

 

 

Agreed. I think I'd put Ohio State at 3 over TCU. The Horned Frogs are GOOD, but they should have lost to my Pokes and barely got by Kansas and WVU.

 

I actually think there is an argument for TCU to be # 2 right now but Georgias win over Oregon puts them over. I disagree with Ohio State over TCU if you look at where teams are at now. ND is unranked, and they beat Penn State who's ranked 16th. Those are Ohio States only two quality wins right now

 

TCU on the other hand has beaten # 13 in the country KSU and # 19 in the country OSU. Those two wins are better than Ohio States two wins. You can't even really claim the depth of their victories is better because TCU beat Oklahoma and Kansas two very solid teams this year. 

[ArdmoreRyno]

53 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

 

I actually think there is an argument for TCU to be # 2 right now but Georgias win over Oregon puts them over. I disagree with Ohio State over TCU if you look at where teams are at now. ND is unranked, and they beat Penn State who's ranked 16th. Those are Ohio States only two quality wins right now

 

TCU on the other hand has beaten # 13 in the country KSU and # 19 in the country OSU. Those two wins are better than Ohio States two wins. You can't even really claim the depth of their victories is better because TCU beat Oklahoma and Kansas two very solid teams this year. 

 

ND did just beat up Syracuse on the road. I think Ohio State is better due to their defense and the fact, basically none of the games were close... at all. The closest game was the game at Penn State, right? We know Happy Valley isn't the easiest place to play and they were due for a 'let down' at some point where their defense wasn't near perfect. Besides the PSU 13 point win, no other team was in the same league as the Buckeyes,

 

TCU CLOSE CALLS

SMU: Was a one score game with 2:30 left in the game, gave up 34 points and nearly 500 yards

KU: Won by 7 points against a KU team with their backup QB in the game. Game was tied with 1:30 to play. Frogs gave up 540 yards on defense

OSU: Beat my Pokes by 3 in doubt OT. Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders was at about 70% for the game. OSU was up 17 points at one point and TCU gave up 400 yards

KSU: Wildcats were up 18 at one point and it was a one score game nearly the entire 2nd half. KSU put up 400 yards on TCU. K-State is GOOD though.

WVU: Was a 34-31 game with :20 seconds to play. WVU is terrible this year. TCU allowed 430 yards of offense

 

Not sure how Ohio State would be ranked behind TCU. Ohio State has again, dominated every game they've played other than the Penn State game. Can't say that about TCU. Disagree about OU being "solid". 0-49 v Texas isn't what a solid team does. Dillion Gabriel only played a quarter for OU in the TCU game.  Same goes for my Pokes. 

 

#6 in total defense (tOSU) vs #89 (TCU)

 

[gonzo1105]

24 minutes ago, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

ND did just beat up Syracuse on the road. I think Ohio State is better due to their defense and the fact, basically none of the games were close... at all. The closest game was the game at Penn State, right? We know Happy Valley isn't the easiest place to play and they were due for a 'let down' at some point where their defense wasn't near perfect. Besides the PSU 13 point win, no other team was in the same league as the Buckeyes,

 

TCU CLOSE CALLS

SMU: Was a one score game with 2:30 left in the game, gave up 34 points and nearly 500 yards

KU: Won by 7 points against a KU team with their backup QB in the game. Game was tied with 1:30 to play. Frogs gave up 540 yards on defense

OSU: Beat my Pokes by 3 in doubt OT. Cowboys QB Spencer Sanders was at about 70% for the game. OSU was up 17 points at one point and TCU gave up 400 yards

KSU: Wildcats were up 18 at one point and it was a one score game nearly the entire 2nd half. KSU put up 400 yards on TCU. K-State is GOOD though.

WVU: Was a 34-31 game with :20 seconds to play. WVU is terrible this year. TCU allowed 430 yards of offense

 

Not sure how Ohio State would be ranked behind TCU. Ohio State has again, dominated every game they've played other than the Penn State game. Can't say that about TCU. Disagree about OU being "solid". 0-49 v Texas isn't what a solid team does. Dillion Gabriel only played a quarter for OU in the TCU game.  Same goes for my Pokes. 

 

#6 in total defense (tOSU) vs #89 (TCU)

 

 

Oklahoma is solid when Dillion Gabriel is the QB. Without him they are terrible.

[EasternOHBillsFan]

On 10/26/2022 at 12:04 PM, YoloinOhio said:

I just realized the first CFP ranking is this Tuesday. I predict it will be UGA, TN, Ohio St, Mich

 

Tennessee has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to jump Ohio State.

 

This is why we need a 12 team playoff NEXT SEASON... sick of the SEC cycle of schedule cupcakes, inflate SEC team rankings, they play each other inflating them more... this past weekend UNRANKED LSU beat #7 Ole Miss... that's how bad it is.

[ArdmoreRyno]

10 minutes ago, EasternOHBillsFan said:

 

Tennessee has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to jump Ohio State.

 

This is why we need a 12 team playoff NEXT SEASON... sick of the SEC cycle of schedule cupcakes, inflate SEC team rankings, they play each other inflating them more... this past weekend UNRANKED LSU beat #7 Ole Miss... that's how bad it is.

 

You don't think UT Martin is a powerhouse team to play in week 8? lol

 

AGREE completely. This is why we (those pro expansion) are happy about going from 4 to 12 teams. We are here talking about teams like Alabama with a loss v a TCU team with no losses, or Tenn v Ohio State. 

 

12 team playoff will help settle a lot of this. 

[YoloinOhio]

Thoughts…

 

 

[Bill from NYC]

I think that Ohio State should be #1, and Clemson plays againt garbge teams.

 

Jmo.

[May Day 10]

Honestly should probably be Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and the winner of the Ohio State/Michigan game

[YoloinOhio]

3 hours ago, May Day 10 said:

Honestly should probably be Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and the winner of the Ohio State/Michigan game

1 plays 3 this weekend so for now that will be worked out. 2 plays 5 later in the year so that could/will be worked out. Alabama will likely play UGA or Tennessee. What will be interesting is how committee views Clemson the rest of the way in weakest conference out of SEC B1G ACC

[Bill from NYC]

15 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

1 plays 3 this weekend so for now that will be worked out. 2 plays 5 later in the year so that could/will be worked out. Alabama will likely play UGA or Tennessee. What will be interesting is how committee views Clemson the rest of the way in weakest conference out of SEC B1G ACC

The PAC 12 is almost as bad, no? 

[May Day 10]

18 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

1 plays 3 this weekend so for now that will be worked out. 2 plays 5 later in the year so that could/will be worked out. Alabama will likely play UGA or Tennessee. What will be interesting is how committee views Clemson the rest of the way in weakest conference out of SEC B1G ACC

 

I guess depending on how this weekend's game goes and the SEC Championship.  If they are both close and exciting.... give me a few more rounds in the playoff for all the marbles along with Ohio State or Michigan.  

 

 

This is a season where an expanded playoff would be a good thing.

 

If TCU runs the table, they have as much (or more) of a claim than Clemson IMO

[YoloinOhio]

1 hour ago, May Day 10 said:

 

I guess depending on how this weekend's game goes and the SEC Championship.  If they are both close and exciting.... give me a few more rounds in the playoff for all the marbles along with Ohio State or Michigan.  

 

 

This is a season where an expanded playoff would be a good thing.

 

If TCU runs the table, they have as much (or more) of a claim than Clemson IMO

I won’t be surprised to see Clemson struggle tomorrow night at ND. ND isn’t great but its supposed to be atrocious weather and their Qb situation is murky.

Edited November 4, 2022 by YoloinOhio

[ArdmoreRyno]

On 11/4/2022 at 12:14 PM, YoloinOhio said:

I won’t be surprised to see Clemson struggle tomorrow night at ND. ND isn’t great but its supposed to be atrocious weather and their Qb situation is murky.

 

Dead on with that one... 

[4merper4mer]

How will Bama manage to get excuse-me’d into the tournament this year?  It should be interesting.  Maybe they will get bonus points for scheduling that tough home game against Austin Peay coming up soon.  

[ArdmoreRyno]

5 hours ago, 4merper4mer said:

How will Bama manage to get excuse-me’d into the tournament this year?  It should be interesting.  Maybe they will get bonus points for scheduling that tough home game against Austin Peay coming up soon.  

 

ESPN will have Saban on during the conference championship games to explain why Alabama deserves to be in the Playoffs again. Just wait. 

[4merper4mer]

56 minutes ago, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

ESPN will have Saban on during the conference championship games to explain why Alabama deserves to be in the Playoffs again. Just wait. 

He won’t have to explain anything because they will be in the playoff again.  Just wait.

[ArdmoreRyno]

11 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

He won’t have to explain anything because they will be in the playoff again.  Just wait.

 

I know... just still pissed ESPN had him on during the 2011 Bedlam game when OSU was up 44-3 over OU so he could plead his case why Alabama should be allowed to 'rematch' against LSU, despite not winning their division. 

[Bill from NYC]

2 hours ago, 4merper4mer said:

He won’t have to explain anything because they will be in the playoff again.  Just wait.

I completely disagree. Two losses and two narrow wins will exclude them.

 

Look, the Big 12, ACC, and Pac 12 suck. That said, Alabama is just another good team this year. They lack talent on the inside of the DL, Left Tackle, and especially wide receiver.

Jacory Brooks is good, and he is their best receiver this season. On the Mac Jones championship Crimson Tide, this kid would be 4th string (behind Davonta, Waddle, and Metchie) AT BEST. And Mac played behind an excellent OL. 

Our LT is serviceable. He might be drafted in the middle to late rounds. That said, he is the worst we have had in at least 10 years; I think more.

Bama has not been this weak in the interior DL for more than a decade. 

 

NIL is hurting certain terams. Bama is one of them. Look at Texas A&M. They have the highest rated recruiting class EVER, especially on both lines, yet their team is falling apart, losing games, and the coach has lost control. College Football has changed BIG TIME! 

 

In any event, The Crimson Tide will not make the playoffs.....THIS SEASON. But keep your fingers crossed and keep hating because in all probability, Saban will bring his team back.  

 

 

[Buffalo716]

On 11/7/2022 at 3:43 PM, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

I know... just still pissed ESPN had him on during the 2011 Bedlam game when OSU was up 44-3 over OU so he could plead his case why Alabama should be allowed to 'rematch' against LSU, despite not winning their division. 

I hear ya but him pleading his case during bedlam won’t turn any voters 

 

they had their mind made that they were putting in bama… that was a charade

[Bill from NYC]

On 11/7/2022 at 3:43 PM, ArdmoreRyno said:

 

I know... just still pissed ESPN had him on during the 2011 Bedlam game when OSU was up 44-3 over OU so he could plead his case why Alabama should be allowed to 'rematch' against LSU, despite not winning their division. 

Yes, how dare they put Alabama against LSU!!!!!!!!!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_BCS_National_Championship_Game#:~:text=The 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game was,at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans%2C Louisiana.

 

 

[ArdmoreRyno]

15 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Yes, how dare they put Alabama against LSU!!!!!!!!!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_BCS_National_Championship_Game#:~:text=The 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game was,at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans%2C Louisiana.

 

 

 

This is why: https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/313090333

 

We will never agree on this one. Sorry. OSU was the better team in 2011. No one could stop that offense. 

[Southern_Bills]

On 11/7/2022 at 8:32 AM, 4merper4mer said:

How will Bama manage to get excuse-me’d into the tournament this year?  It should be interesting.  Maybe they will get bonus points for scheduling that tough home game against Austin Peay coming up soon.  

 

As an Alabama fan, I would say they have a slim to none chance. If OU and Mich. Have a close game the lower would be more deserving. 

 

Bama has looked like junk for a month. 

[4merper4mer]

4 hours ago, Southern_Bills said:

 

As an Alabama fan, I would say they have a slim to none chance. If OU and Mich. Have a close game the lower would be more deserving. 

 

Bama has looked like junk for a month. 

Since it wasn’t a close game, Bama’s impressive win over Austin Peay puts them ahead of Ohio State.

[LabattBlue]

Nice job Dabo and Huey Duey Loiue Ungalay.   They would have been in the drivers seat for a CFB spot with a beatdown of SC at home…instead they ***** the bed. 

Edited November 26, 2022 by LabattBlue

[cle23]

24 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

Since it wasn’t a close game, Bama’s impressive win over Austin Peay puts them ahead of Ohio State.

 

I hate OSU, but this is dumb. Alabama lost 2 games. OSU lost once. Neither of them deserve to be there though. 

[Southern_Bills]

20 minutes ago, cle23 said:

 

I hate OSU, but this is dumb. Alabama lost 2 games. OSU lost once. Neither of them deserve to be there though. 

 

That's the true problem, it's hard to pick 4 that "deserve it". If TCU and USC lose it will be a complete s*** show.

[YoloinOhio]

TCU, UGA, Mich, USC if they win tonight. If not… chaos 

[Low Positive]

1 minute ago, YoloinOhio said:

TCU, UGA, Mich, USC if they win tonight. If not… chaos 

Yeah, and it doesn’t really matter cause nobody is beating Georgia.

[ArdmoreRyno]

Really surprised by tOSU over the weekend. I thought their defense would help give them the win over Michgan.  I'm glad TCU is still winning... the Big XII Championship game should be a good one. K-State is a salty team, even with the backup QB playing. The Wildcats had a 28-17 halftime lead in the first meeting and ended up being shut out in the 2nd half. 

 

But I think TCU will win and go to their first CFP. Seeing them and Michigan play will be really interesting. 

 

Michigan offense: 39.8 ppg

TCU offense: 41.3 ppg

 

Michigan defense: 12.7 ppg

TCU defense: 24.5 ppg

 

SOS
Michigan: 8 (it was 29 before playing tOSU)

TCU: 9 

 

If everything ends today and the CFP rankings mirror the AP top 25 we have 2 GREAT matchups. UGA's defense v USC's offense and then offense v offense in the 2 v 3 game. 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2022 by ArdmoreRyno

[YoloinOhio]

6 minutes ago, ArdmoreRyno said:

Really surprised by tOSU over the weekend. I thought their defense would help give them the win over the Buckeyes.  I'm glad TCU is still winning... the Big XII Championship game should be a good one. K-State is a salty team, even with the backup QB playing. The Wildcats had a 28-17 halftime lead in the first meeting and ended up being shut out in the 2nd half. 

 

But I think TCU will win and go to their first CFP. Seeing them and Michigan play will be really interesting. 

 

Michigan offense: 39.8 ppg

TCU offense: 41.3 ppg

 

Michigan defense: 12.7 ppg

TCU defense: 24.5 ppg

 

SOS
Michigan: 8 (it was 29 before playing tOSU)

TCU: 9 

 

If everything ends today and the CFP rankings mirror the AP top 25 we have 2 GREAT matchups. UGA's defense v USC's offense and then offense v offense in the 2 v 3 game. 

 

 

Buckeye corners have been a problem all year (for years?) and they committed so much to the run D and left them in man on an island … dared them to throw downfield and they did because the film showed them they might as well. The big runs came late and all the yards were on the big runs. The next time an Ohio state corner gets his head around I’ll throw confetti. 

Edited November 28, 2022 by YoloinOhio

[Bill from NYC]

21 hours ago, ArdmoreRyno said:

Really surprised by tOSU over the weekend. I thought their defense would help give them the win over Michgan.  I'm glad TCU is still winning... the Big XII Championship game should be a good one. K-State is a salty team, even with the backup QB playing. The Wildcats had a 28-17 halftime lead in the first meeting and ended up being shut out in the 2nd half. 

 

But I think TCU will win and go to their first CFP. Seeing them and Michigan play will be really interesting. 

 

Michigan offense: 39.8 ppg

TCU offense: 41.3 ppg

 

Michigan defense: 12.7 ppg

TCU defense: 24.5 ppg

 

SOS
Michigan: 8 (it was 29 before playing tOSU)

TCU: 9 

 

If everything ends today and the CFP rankings mirror the AP top 25 we have 2 GREAT matchups. UGA's defense v USC's offense and then offense v offense in the 2 v 3 game. 

 

 

TCU will be this season's Cincinnatti. In fact, I don't think that they are as good as Cincinnatti was last season. The truth is, TCU  has a garbage schedule, just like USC. 

In fact, Ohio State's schedule ws ranked 69th in terms of difficulty, whereas Alabama's was ranked 9th.

 

Before you accuse me, let me openly state that I am not making a case at this point for Alabama to make the playoffs. They lost 2 games by a total of 4 points that they could have and should have won. IF they had pulled out a victory in one of those games then yes, they would have deserved a playoff spot. At this point, they would need too many miracles.

 

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by Bill from NYC

[ArdmoreRyno]

15 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

TCU will be this season's Cincinnatti. In fact, I don't think that they are as good as Cincinnatti was last season. The truth is, TCU  has a garbage schedule, just like USC. 

In fact, Ohio State's schedule ws ranked 69th in terms of difficulty, whereas Alabama's was ranked 9th.

 

Before you accuse me, let me openly state that I am not making a case at this point for Alabama to make the playoffs. They lost 2 games by a total of 4 points that they could have and should have won. IF they had pulled out a victory in one of those games then yes, they would have deserved a playoff spot. At this point, they would need too many miracles.

 

 

 

LOL, "Garbage schedule". Where do you get your SOS numbers? Practically everyone has TCU in the top 20, some have them top 10 (including ESPN ranking them with the #1 most difficult schedule in college football). Yet, the Alabama man... they think they have a garbage one. 🤣

 

Jeff Sagarin has TCU 21st and Alabama 28th

ESPN FPI: TCU 1, Alabama 5

TeamRankings: TCU 9, Alabama 1 

Power Rankings Guru: TCU 18, Alabama 25

 

What's comical is you refuse to believe anyone has the right to play in a playoff other than SEC teams (or Big 10 teams). This is why you have no validity.  

 

TCU is 5-0 vs top 25 teams

Alabama is 3-2 vs top 25 teams 

Edited November 29, 2022 by ArdmoreRyno