First Round Playoff Predictions
#12 Clemson vs #5 Texas
Clemson Tigers (9-3): We have a SEC vs ACC matchup and once again it involves the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers have been through the highs and lows throughout the season. They have looked great against the mediocre teams and have struggled against the top teams. They are lucky to have even made it into the field as they are a three loss team.
Texas Longhorns (11-2): The Longhorns have looked like one of the best teams in the country throughout the entirety of the season. They have struggled to win games against Georgia and that's a concern going into these playoffs. They seemed to have had a strong strength of schedule at the start of the year. As the season went on, the schedule was underwhelming as the teams that were previously ranked fell out of the top 25. The Longhorns have also struggled the past couple of seasons under Steve Sarkasian while having home field advantage.
Predictions: Just based off of the talent, the Longhorns have a big advantage as they have one of the best rosters in college football. Texas has a ceiling that is way higher than Clemson’s but, I don’t think we have yet to see them get to full potential. The offense is going to be a big factor for both teams. We have seen Texas look unstoppable but they seem to stall out against top teams. The Tigers offense will need to take downfield shots and keep those great safeties honest because they love to run the ball and it will not work if Texas loads the box. I believe in experience and Dabo Swinney definitely has that throughout all of his playoff runs. Texas always seems to fall to their competition in these scenarios and I can see a really tight matchup but, the talent gap will be too much for the Tigers.
27 Texas, 21 Clemson
#10 Indiana vs #7 Notre Dame
Indiana (11-1): The Hoosiers have had a Cinderella story type season after they were predicted to have one of the worst records in college football. Curt Cignetti has come into this program and has given the Hoosiers some life. They have been able to man handle teams all year and they have one of the best point differentials in the country. Even while losing on the road to Ohio State, they still have been able to hang around and have a shot in the playoffs.
Notre Dame (11-1): The Fighting Irish have a 10 game winning streak going into these playoffs. After losing to NIU in a shocking upset at home the Irish have looked great since. I believe Marcus Freeman used that loss to show his team that they can never play that way again. Marcus Freeman and the Irish have not had great success against top 10 teams in the past and they look to change that in South Bend on Friday.
Predictions: Both teams come into this game with the same exact record and around the same strength of schedule. Home field advantage for the Irish will not be as prevalent because they are both from the same state. Tickets prices are super high and that is due to it being an instate matchup. I believe the Hoosiers are playing with house money and they have experience in a big game. Notre Dame always seems to crumble under pressure but it will still be a really tight game. I love the Hoosiers offense and I don’t believe Notre Dame will be able to run the football against the Hoosiers big D-line.
35 Indiana, 28 Notre Dame
#11 SMU vs #6 Penn State
SMU (11-2): Nobody believed the Mustangs would be able to make the ACC championship game let alone make the playoffs. After an early loss to BYU, SMU has looked like a completely different team. They did fall to Clemson in the championship game but they showed some fight at the end and proved to the committee that they belong.
Penn State (11-2): Even while losing to Oregon in the Big 10 championship the Nittany Lions might have the most favorable path to the semi final out of the whole field. Penn State has beat everyone on their schedule except the top 10 games. They looked better against Oregon than they have ever looked against top talent but, James Franklin has yet to win the big game.
Prediction: I can’t get over the fact that the Mustangs were dominated by Clemson in the first half of the ACC championship. Penn State looks stronger than they have ever been and will also be at home in one of the best environments in the country. The talent gap and the weather is going to be a huge factor in this game.
38 Penn State, 21 SMU
#9 Tennessee vs #8 Ohio State
Tennessee (10-2): The Vols get to be in the playoff for the first time in program history. They have been good over the years but have not been able to get over the hump. They have struggled on the road under Josh Heupel but they are serious contenders for the National Championship this year.
Ohio State (10-2): After losing to their rival Michigan, all things in Columbus seem to be falling apart according to their fans. We do not see what is actually going on in the facility as they get ready to make a run at the championship. The Buckeyes have the best roster in college football but have been decimated by injuries on the O-line.
Prediction: Both head coaches struggle under pressure situations but Ryan Day has the playoff experience that Heupel doesn’t have. This game is going to come down to the Vols stout D-line vs the Buckeyes' make shift O-line. The Buckeyes have heard criticism for the past three weeks on the offensive game plan and have struggled against tough teams in the past. Ohio State’s defense will be good enough to hold Dylan Sampson to under 100 yards and Nico Iamaleava is a young quarterback that hasn't been in this weather before and seems to struggle in big moments. The Buckeyes have proven in the past in recent playoff runs that they can scheme up a defense with multiple weeks to prepare.
24 Ohio State, 14 Tennessee
