Round 1
Intraconference 1-Loss Southern Battle: 1 Alabama (12-1 SEC Champs) vs. 16 Louisiana (12-1 Sun Belt Champs)
Bryant-Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL
Prediction: 38-24 Bama
Rivalry Rematch in the Big House: 2 Michigan (12-1 B1G Champs) vs. 15 Michigan State (10-2)
Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI
Prediction: 24-17 UM
Undefeated Go5 hosts disappointing powerhouse: 3 Cincy (13-0 AAC Champions) vs. 14 Clemson (9-3)
Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH
Prediction: 34-31 Clemson
Powerhouse Battle: 4 Georgia (12-1 SEC Runner-Up) vs. 13 Oklahoma (10-2)
Sanford Stadium Athens, GA
Prediction: 34-17 Georgia
Independents Championship?- 5 Notre Dame (11-1) vs. 12 BYU (10-2)
Notre Dame Stadium South Bend, IN
Prediction: 27-24 BYU
“Rose Bowl” Matchup in Columbus- 6 Ohio State (10-2) vs. 11 Utah (10-3 PAC-12 Champions)
Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH
Prediction: 41-38 OSU
Collision course matchup?- 7 Baylor (11-2 Big 12 Champs) vs. 10 Ole Miss (10-2)
McLane Stadium Waco, TX
Prediction: 23-17 Baylor
ACC Champs Host Big 12 Busts: 8 Pittsburgh (11-2 ACC Champs) vs. 9 Oklahoma State (10-2 Big 12 Runners Up)
Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA
Prediction: 31-20 Pitt
Round 2: Bowl Week
1 Alabama (13-1 SEC Champs)
vs.
8 Pittsburgh Panthers (12-2 ACC Champs)
Bryce Young vs. Kenny Pickett would be some fireworks!
Prediction: 37-34 Bama
2 Michigan (13-1 B1G Champs)
Vs.
7 Baylor (12-2 Big 12 Champs)
This matchup of conference champs would be a slugfest!
Prediction: 31-24 Baylor
6 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2)
Vs.
14 Clemson Tigers (10-3)
Could you imagine these two teams playing four a chance for a final 4 appearance this season? You couldn’t write a better script…
Prediction: 42-24 Ohio State
4 Georgia Bulldogs (12-1 SEC Runners-Up)
Vs.
12 BYU Cougars (11-2)
BY GOD, BRIGHAM YOUNG, DOES THE SLIPPER FIT?!
Prediction: 31-24 Georgia
Non-Active Playoff Qualifier Bowl Matchups
3 Cincinnati Bearcats (13-1 AAC Champs)
Vs.
5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-2)
I think we all know this rematch would be A+ entertainment. Notre Dame is much improved since the early loss to Cincy. I smell rivalry brewing between these two schools as Cincy enters the Big 12 next season.
Prediction: 34-27 ND
11 Utah (10-4 PAC-12 Champs)
Vs.
15 Michigan State Spartans (10-3)
So the Utes couldn’t quite take out the Buckeyes, but could they take out another B1G power in Sparty?
Prediction: 34-13 Utah
9 Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-3 Big 12 Runners-Up)
Vs.
10 Ole Miss Rebels (10-3)
Would these teams have any fight left at this point?
Prediction: 27-20 Ole Miss
13 Oklahoma Sooners (10-3)
Vs.
16 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (12-2 Sun Belt Champs)
This would be Louisiana’s third chance to take out a power 5 powerhouse this season. They couldn’t get it done against Texas or Alabama, what about Oklahoma. Could you imagine Oklahoma losing to a Sun Belt school on their way to the SEC? I could!
Prediction: 34-24 Louisiana
Round 3: Semis
1 Alabama (14-1 SEC Champs) vs. 4 Georgia (14-1 SEC Runners-Up)
Nissan Field Nashville, TN
A rematch for the ages!!!
Prediction: 24-23 Georgia
6 Ohio State (12-2) vs. 7 Baylor (13-2 Big 12 Champs)
Nissan Field Nashville, TN
Ohio State wants a taste of revenge on Michigan. They could get it here.
Prediction: 38-24 OSU
Round 4: The CFP Natty
4 Georgia (14-1 SEC Runners-Up) vs. 6 Ohio State (13-2)
Nissan Field Nashville, TN
Isn’t this the matchup we expected most of the season?
Prediction: 26-23 Ohio State
Final Rankings:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (14-2)
2. Georgia Bulldogs (14-2 SEC Runners-Up)
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (13-2 SEC Champs)
4. Baylor Bears (12-3 Big 12 Champs)
5. Michigan Wolverines (13-2 B1G Champs)
6. Pittsburgh Panthers (12-3 ACC Champs)
7. BYU Cougars (12-3)
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-2)
9. Cincinnati Bearcats (13-2)
10. Utah Utes (11-4 PAC-12 Champs)
11. Clemson Tigers (10-4)
12. Ole Miss Rebels (11-3)
13. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (13-2 Sun Belt Champs)
14. Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-4 Big 12 Runners-Up)
15. Michigan State Spartans (10-4)
16. Oklahoma Sooners (10-4)
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