Updates, anticipation for college football playoffs next month

Jacob Isaac, Staff Writer
December 10, 2019

Now that conference championships have finished up, the bracket for the College Football Playoff is finally confirmed. There was some controversy over what 1-3 would look like in the rankings with the 4th team slipping in at the last second. The road to New Orleans is set, so let’s meet the playing field:

 

  1. LSU– Finally, after years of enduring poor offensive play, Ed Orgeron and new passing game coordinator Joe Brady have turned the Tigers into an unstoppable force. Also sitting at 13-0 with an impressive regular season resumé that includes five wins over top ten teams, LSU has averaged nearly 49 points a game this year. Tigers QB and Heisman front-runner Joe Burrow has been locked in and is looking to finish his senior year with a huge, shiny trophy.

 

  1. Ohio State – First year coach Ryan Day has the Buckeyes sitting at a perfect 13-0 heading into the playoff. The Buckeyes have three Heisman hopefuls on their team with QB Justin Fields, RB J.K. Dobbins and DE Chase Young. The Buckeyes have been arguably the most complete offensive and defensive team in the nation. Having won 19 games in a row dating back to last season, the Buckeyes are as good as it gets.

 

  1. Clemson – Dabo Swinney and Clemson continue to win, despite their lack of respect from the public and a weak schedule. The defending champs from a year ago survived a one-point close call from an opportunistic North Carolina team and responded by steamrolling over everyone else to go 13-0 while winning the ACC. Clemson looks forward to gaining motivation from doubters in their upcoming games.

 

  1. Oklahoma– After losing on the road to a mediocre Kansas State squad, Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts has lifted the Sooners to a 12-1 record and a Big 12 Championship. Their road has been an up and down ride unlike any of the three unbeatens from above. They had to overcome a 25-point deficit to upset No. 12 Baylor, survive close calls from lesser competition, and then again beat Baylor in OT in the championship game. While many have trouble seeing Oklahoma winning the entire thing, the Sooners have enough firepower to shock everyone.

 

My Predictions:

  • Semifinals: No. 1 LSU over No. 4 Oklahoma & No. 3 Clemson over No. 2 Ohio State.
  • Championship Game: No. 1 LSU over No. 3 Clemson.