The college football season is halfway done. As we inch closer and closer to the worst time of the year, now is a good time to look at the top teams in the country. With the first CFP rankings coming out towards the end of October, Ciarnan and I decided to team up and make our picks. Without further ado, our college football playoff midseason predictions.
College Football Playoff Rankings
The #1 Seed
Kev’s Pick: LSU Tigers
The hater’s and doubters, of which there are many, said I wouldn’t do it. They said I wouldn’t put anyone besides Alabama at one. It hurts my heart to do it, but I am an unbiased college football journalist. It is hard to argue against LSU: two top 25 wins, a solid defense, and a modern offense. Joe Burrow is balling out, and is topping Heisman watchlists for a reason. Their biggest test will come November 9th in Tuscaloosa, and they could win.
Ciarnan’s Pick: The Ohio State Buckeyes
No doubt in my mind that they should be number one. They have systematically
destroyed all opponents on either side of the ball. They look like they are running a clinic. Every
team the Buckeyes face look like the scrub defense/offense that is just in there to get reps. “Oh, well
they have faced any real competition yet.” Doesn’t matter. If you can beat every team in front of
you by 20+ points, 40+ points in most cases, then you can beat anyone.
The #2 Seed
Kev’s Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
As I said, I am an unbiased college football journalist, and this pick has nothing to do with where I went to college. The arguments that Alabama has a weak schedule doesn’t matter, but is also wrong. No, they don’t have the wins LSU does. Last week, they beat a ranked Texas A&M squad on the road. College station is a tough place to play, and Alabama won by 19. During week four, they beat South Carolina in Columbia. The offense is one of the best Alabama has ever had, and the defense is solid.
Ciarnan’s Pick: LSU Tigers
Two statement wins against top ten opponents. You can’t knock LSU for anything right
now. They’ve got a Heisman potential QB in Joe Burrow and great receiving core. LSU has only
more challenges to come, but poised to make a huge run for the playoffs. They play Alabama in
early November and that will be the real test for LSU.
The #3 Seed
Kev’s Pick: Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have answered a lot of questions this year. Can Jalen Hurts learn how to pass? Does Oklahoma have the defense to compete with top teams? Both were answered yes. Oklahoma’s defense isn’t great, but it is good enough to hold teams so their high powered offense can go to work. With Jalen, Lincoln, CeeDee, and Trey, I wouldn’t want to play this team during the semifinals.
Ciarnan’s Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
Until Nick Saban leaves that program, Alabama will dominate. They have beaten
everyone this season handily. However, they look flat. Not in the sense that they are not scoring
or lacking in any part of their game, but they look bored playing their opponents. It is like a first
it was all great, just crush everyone. Now it’s almost like they need to be prodded to wake up
and realize they need to play football. As far as I am concerned, LSU will be their only real test
this year. Bama better not rest on their laurels.
The #4 Seed
Kev’s Pick: The Ohio State Buckeyes
Yes, Justin Fields is phenomenal. Yes, Ryan Day is outperforming my expectations. But who have they played? I know I said it doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t in terms of getting in. Ohio State is dismantling opponents, but they beat a 4-2 Michigan State team that was blown out by Wisconsin and lost by three to Arizona State. Ohio State should be in based solely on the eye test, and they are. Before you get mad, what happened last time they were the #4 seed?
Ciarnan’s Pick: Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners finally got to show that they have a defense. Coming up with stops
against Texas when it counted. Their offense was already super-charged with the introduction of
Jalen Hurts. The defense is still lagging behind, but I think that they can correct this and be in the
top four come playoff time.
First Two Out
The #5 Seed
Kev’s Pick: Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers are playing out of their minds right now. Heisman contender Jonathan Taylor is an incredible running back, and has the potential to be the first non-QB to win the award since Derrick Henry. The defense is great, holding Michigan to 14 points. Jack Coan is playing good enough, but isn’t as explosive against Big Ten defenses. Wisco’s biggest knock is being in the Big Ten, because I doubt the CFP committee would want an all SEC and Big Ten playoff.
Ciarnan’s Pick: Clemson Tigers
Sloppy. That’s the only word I care to give Clemson. First of all, they are in arguably
the weakest conference of the power five, and they can barely squeak out a win
against UNC. UNC! The basketball school! Yes, I understand all their other games have been
total routes, but much like Bama, they seem bored playing such weak competition and I don’t
necessarily blame them. To number five they go.
The #6 Seed
Kev’s Pick: Clemson Tigers
Is Trevor Lawrence injured? Is it a sophomore slump? It doesn’t matter. If you want to make the college football playoff, you need to be firing on all cylinders. Clemson hasn’t played anyone, much like Ohio State and Alabama. However, they haven’t looked as good doing it. They only beat UNC by one. I get it was a road game, but they should have smacked the Tar Heels. Luckily for them, they haven’t played the Clemson killers, known formally as the Pitt Panthers. If they don’t pick it up and start winning more convincingly, or they lose to South Carolina on November 30th, I don’t expect them to make the top four.
Ciarnan’s Pick: Wisconsin Badgers
The ground and pound run game is back and hopefully here to stay. I have watched
two or three games and plenty of highlights and it seems that Wisconsin completely trusts that
offensive line. The running backs (specifically Jonathan Taylor) are hardly even touched as they
waltz into the end zone. 23 total rushing touchdowns and Jonathan Taylor has 14 of them. And
their defense?! My lord! Four shut-outs? Again, granted most of those wins and shut-outs come
against weaker opponents, but beating Michigan State 38-0 is no small feat.
There you have it. Our college football playoff midseason predictions. Disagree? Let us know on twitter, @BellyUpKev, @Ciarnan_O, or @BellyUpCFB.
Want more college football? Check out The Blackout with Thomas Black. There are rundowns of past weekend’s action, predictions on games for the upcoming week, and midseason recaps! Get involved by calling #TBsBlackMail at 706-406-3566.
