TCU’s Statement and My Playoff Predictions
Happy New Year everyone! 2015 is here and that means our first ever College Football Playoff starts today!
I love that we have four tough teams competing for national supremacy the right way finally! What proves this is the best system is that really no one should be all that surprised at any of the four winning the championship–they’re all great teams. And after yesterday, TCU’s got me thinking expanding to six teams may be the best thing–giving the top two first round byes. TCU showed the nation that they are truly an elite team, pummeling Ole Miss, an SEC West power who handed top-ranked Alabama it’s only loss this year, 42-3. Wow! Talk about a statement. Is TCU the best in the country? Unfortunately we’ll never know for sure, so let further playoff expansion talk begin ;). What we do know though is that whoever comes out of this stacked Playoff is undeniably deserving of that National Championship trophy! So with that, here’s how I see it going down:
Oregon vs. Florida State – Oregon is favored by 7.5. The Ducks are viewed as the better team, and they probably are. They’re also playing much closer to home in a stadium they’re very familiar with. The Seminoles haven’t lost since 2012, yeah, it’s 2015 now and they haven’t lost since 2012! They come in with a huge chip on their shoulder and more to prove than any of the four teams. So what happens? Oregon wins. I think it will be relatively close, but I’m gonna say Oregon wins something like 37-30.
Alabama vs. Ohio State – “The Nick Saban/Urban Meyer Rivalry Renewal” I’m calling it. The two best coaches in college football clash again! I love it! Such a great matchup by the Committee. Bama is favored by 8 in this one, as they should be. Urban Meyer is good enough and his Buckeyes are young, naive and confident enough to make some noise, but I think they’ve made all the noise they’re gonna make this season and the buck(eyes) stops here. Lack of game film on Cardale Jones will help Ohio State offensively, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see some early points put on the board by the Buckeyes, but then that Bama D will adjust and keep ’em quiet in the 2nd half. Tide roll to a double-digit victory.
Alabama vs. Oregon – This is a matchup we’ve all wanted in the National Championship for years now and I think we’ll finally get it on January 12. My prediction may come as a surprise as Bama will certainly be favored, but I think this is the year of the Quack. Oregon has been so close for so long and I think this is the year they get it done. Marcus Mariota has had a phenomenal season, won his Heisman, and I’m saying the Ducks will dethrone both the defending national champs (Florida State) and the SEC West this playoff to cap off the best year in Oregon Football history!