Jon Joseph Moderator No. 1 Share Posted June 12 With a 12-team college football Playoff on hand, we have as many preseason Playoff predictions as we have Top 25 projections. 2024 will not give us, thank goodness the Florida State predicament that the Playoff Committee handed us in 2023. For the next two seasons, the four Power-4 conference champions are in the field along with a representative from the G5. If Utah wins the B12 with a record of 10-3, even if ranked outside of the top 12 by the Committee, Utah is not only in the Playoff but seeded in the top four and accordingly, receiving a 1st-round bye. The Top 25 rankings may satisfy the majority of fans However, the Committee's choice of the seven at-large participants and the seeding of the field is certain to have fans burning Committee members in effigy, at least. Having the Committee release four Top 25 rankings before the final ranking on December 8, 2024, is cruel and unusual punishment for the Grapevine gurus. The Committee should go public on December 8, 2024, and reveal its Delightful Dozen as seeded. Then, run for cover. However, ESPN, the entity writing the checks, says otherwise. Thus, it will be otherwise. The following are three Playoff predictions out of dozens upon dozens of Playoff predictions. One B1G, one SEC, and one that could be 'Just Right?' All predictions below were released after Spring Practices and after the 2nd wave of portal picking. The SEC smiles and Greg Sankey jumps for joy, courtesy of USA Today. Sugar Bowl - 1. Georgia vs. 9. Notre Dame at 8. Ole Miss Fiesta Bowl - Utah vs. 12. G5 at 5. Texas Rose Bowl - 2. Ohio State vs. 10. Oklahoma at 7. Alabama Peach Bowl - 3. Clemson vs. 11. Missouri at 6. OREGON B1G Beefs: No. 11 Michigan is the first team out. Notre Dame played a 12-game easy-peasy schedule and would knock out a B1G team. Utah ranked 12th by USA Today is the fourth seed with a first-round bye and No. 4-ranked Oregon has to play Missouri in the first-round. Texas, ranked No. 3, hosts the G5 representative. Three of the four first-round games will be played on SEC campuses. Defeat Missouri and Oregon's 'reward' is to travel to Atlanta to play 10th-ranked Clemson an hour a one and a half hour drive from the Clemson campus. It Just Means! But this much more? Six SEC teams that played eight conference games are in the Playoff; two B1G teams that played nine conference games. Hey, Y'All, we're having a party in Birmingham! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Joseph Author Moderator No. 2 Share Posted June 13 (edited) Thank you Mr. Fishduck for the well-deserved grimace to scenario one. But there are more friendly Playoff projections. But still with many questions and quandaries. How about a B1G Bonanza Playoff, courtesy of Phil Steele? Sugar Bowl - 1. Georgia vs. 9 Alabama at 8. Notre Dame Peach Bowl - 4. Miami (!) vs. 12. G5 at 5.OREGON. How delicious this could be for the Ducks. Rose Bowl - 2. Ohio State vs. 10. Michigan at 7. Penn State Fiesta Bowl - 3 Utah vs. 11 Iowa at 6 Texas SEC Snivels - 5 B1G teams and 3 SEC teams. Notre Dame! Only 1 1st round game in Dixie? If Stelle sharpens Stelle how can Stelle not know that it just means more? A B1G hamburger and not a Big Beef. What's with the all-Rose Bowl B1G seeding? The Committee tells us that seeding will not be influenced by 1st round conference rematches but Come ON! Disney and ESPN want an all-B1G Rose Bowl? Ohio State vs. one of two B1G teams the Buckeyes already played and defeated? With the House settlement pending, We Need the Dues! I don't think so. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A 'Just Right' Playoff Courtesy of ESPN's Bill Connelly's SP+. Sugar Bowl - 1. Georgia vs. 9. Penn State at 8. Alabama Fiesta Bowl - 4. Utah vs. 12. Memphis at 5. Oregon Rose Bowl - 2. Ohio State vs. 10 Ole Miss at 7. Michigan Peach Bowl - 3. Florida State vs. 11.Notre Dame at 6. Texas Two 1st-round games hosted by B1G teams and two by SEC teams. Four SEC teams. Four B1G teams. Notre Dame? OK, how about we Playoff exclude the 'Conference of Notre Dame' come 2026. In 2026 if the B1G and the SEC do not want an independent Notre Dame in the Playoff mix? Domers gone. On December 8, 2024, going from a four-team playoff to twelve-team playoff will increase and not diminish the criticism of the Playoff Committe. Come 2026, go to the 16 top ranked teams being seeded, regardless of conference affiliation with no byes. And the first two rounds, at least, should be played on campus. But its easier, easier said than done. Edited June 13 by Jon Joseph Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fischer Administrator No. 3 Share Posted June 13 On 6/12/2024 at 6:17 PM, Jon Joseph said: Peach Bowl - 4. Miami (!) vs. 12. G5 at 5.OREGON. How delicious this could be for the Ducks. The interest level from Oregon fans would not be surpassed... I would be busy playing "bop-a-mole" with 'Cane fans trolling here. 1 1 Mr. FishDuck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
