Predicting the First Round of the CFB Playoffs
The first round of the college football playoff is set and Oregon fans will have the joys of sitting on the sidelines for this one watching some really good games.
As we know the Ducks have a bye before heading to the Rose bowl and playing the winner of Tennessee at Ohio State. That figures to be one of the better matchups in the first round of the playoffs. Ohio State enters the matchup as a 6.5 point favorite.
Here are my picks for the first round of the CFB Playoffs that begin on December 20.
Indiana @ Notre Dame
Friday, December 20 – 5 PM PST
ESPN/ABC
What a difference a year makes for Notre Dame. There were a lot of questions about Marcus Freeman and his ability to lead the program. But he’s steadied the ship and has the Irish competing for a national championship. I still have a lot of questions about Indiana despite the magical season. I think this one will be a tough battle and a great game in the end. But give me the Irish winning the battle for Indiana state supremacy.
34-27 Notre Dame
SMU at Penn State
Saturday, December 21 – 9 AM PST
TNT/Max
Tough draw for SMU although I’m glad they made it into the playoffs instead of Alabama. But if Penn State plays like they did against Oregon they should handle them with little to no resistance. But SMU proved against Clemson they can fight back so they shouldn’t be completely overlooked. Given this one is in Happy Valley I like the Nittany Lions here.
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30-24 Penn State
Clemson at Texas
Saturday, December 21 – 1 PM PST
TNT/Max
Which Texas will show up for this one? Dabo knows how to win the big games so Clemson shouldn’t be overlooked. But Texas just has too much talent and a really tough defense. Again I’m going to roll with the home team in this one and I get the feeling this one might not be all that close.
40-21 Texas
Tennessee at Ohio State
Saturday, December 21 – 5 PM PST
ESPN/ABC
Like I said in the intro, the game of the weekend really. This one has so many intriguing storylines to it. Ryan Day can NOT lose this game. He simply can’t. As crazy as it sounds it could be the dagger in his Ohio State tenure. Maybe not but it’s going to put a lot of heat on him I think good Tennessee and good Nico show up and blowout an Ohio State that’s lacking confidence.
44-30 Tennessee
