I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported my blog this year. I have slacked a little to end 2019 but I will be back and better than ever in 2020. Again, thank you!
Categories
THANK YOU!
AFC
First Round Byes
1.Baltimore Ravens (13-2)
2.New England Patriots (12-3)
Wild Card Teams
3.Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)
4.Houston Texans (10-5)
5.Buffalo Bills (10-5)
6.Tennessee Titans (8-7)
NFC
First Round Byes
1.San Francisco 49ers (12-3)
2.Green Bay Packers (12-3)
Wild Card Teams
3.New Orleans Saints (12-3)
4.Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)
5.Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
6.Minnesota Vikings (10-5)
Also, I wanted to say a belated Merry Christmas to everyone.
Here’s what an eight team college football playoff would look like in 2019-2020.
Rules
1.Every Power Five Conference champion is seeded one to five based on criteria.
2.The top two non power five champions are seeded at six and seven based on critera.
3.The top Group of Five champion is seeded at eight.
4.The higher seeds in each game get to pick the location of the game at a New Year’s Six Game starting with LSU at number one.
1.LSU (13-0)
2.Ohio State (13-0)
3.Clemson (13-0)
4.Oklahoma (13-0)
5.Oregon (11-2)
6.Georgia (11-2)
7.Florida (10-2)
8.Memphis (12-1)
Quarterfinals
8.Memphis vs. 1.LSU (Sugar Bowl, New Orleans,LA) Score:LSU 45, Memphis 24
7.Florida vs. 2.Ohio State (Rose Bowl, Pasadena,CA) Score:Ohio State 52, Florida 17
6.Georgia vs. 3.Clemson (Peach Bowl, Atlanta,GA) Score:Clemson 55, Georgia 20
5.Oregon vs. 4.Oklahoma (Cotton Bowl, Arlington,TX) Score:Oklahoma 35, Oregon 24
Semifinals
4.Oklahoma vs. 1.LSU (Peach Bowl, Atlanta,GA) Score:LSU 45, Oklahoma 31
3.Clemson vs. 2.Ohio State (Fiesta Bowl, Glendale,AZ) Score:Clemson 55, Ohio State 45
Finals
3.Clemson vs. 1.LSU (New Orleans,LA) Score:LSU 38, Clemson 34
Before we get into this post, I just wanted to say because I’m out of school we’re gonna start doing posts at 2 PM CT instead of 5 PM CT.
()=High School
All rankings are according to espn
1.Clemson Tigers (Top class in ACC)
2.Myles Murphy (#2DE) Powder Springs,GA (Hillgrove)
4.Bryan Bresee (#1DT) Demascus,MD (Demascus)
14.Mitchell Mayes (#2OT) Raleigh,NC (Leesville Road)
19.DeMarkcus Bowman (#2RB) Lakeland,FL (Lakeland)
2.Alabama Crimson Tide (Top class in SEC)
8.Chris Braswell (#4DE) Baltimore,MD (St. Frances Academy)
24.Bryce Young (#1QB-DT) Santa Ana,CA (Mater Dei)
30.Drew Sanders (#2ATH) Denton,TX (Billy Ryan)
34.Jace McClellan (#5RB) Aledo,TX (Aledo)
3.Ohio State (Top class in Big Ten)
1.Julian Fleming (#1WR) Catawissa,PA (Southern Columbia)
15.Paris Johnson Jr. (#3OT) Cincinnati,OH (Princeton)
32.Luke Wypler (#1C) Montvale,NJ (Saint Joseph Regional)
94.Jaxon Smith-Njigba Rockwall,TX (Rockwall)
4.Georgia (Second ranked class in SEC)
13.Broderick Jones (#1OT) Lithonia,GA (Lithonia)
18.Mekhail Sherman (#1ILB) Washington,DC (St. John’s College)
36.Jalen Carter (#3DT) Apopka,FL (Apopka)
40.Marcus Rosemy (#4WR) Ft. Lauderdale,FL (Saint Thomas Acquinas)
5.LSU (Third ranked class in SEC)
12.Arik Gilbert (#2TE-Y) Marietta,GA (Marrietta)
Phillip Webb (#4OLB) Sugar Hill,GA (Lanier)
Elias Ricks (#3CB) Bradenton,FL (IMG)
Antoine Sampah (#6OLB) Woodbridge,VA (Woodbridge)
6.Auburn (Fourth best class in SEC)
Wesley Steiner (#5OLB) Warner Robins,GA (Houston County)
Tank Bigsby (#3ATH) Hogansville,GA (Callaway)
Christopher Thompson Jr. (#2S) Duncanville,TX (Duncanville)
Kobe Hudson (#17WR) LaGrange,GA (Troup County Comprehensive)
7.Texas A&M (Fifth best class in SEC)
Haynes King (#3QB-DT) Longview,TX (Longview)
Demond Demas (#3WR) Tomball,TX (Tomball)
Jaylon Jones (#5CB) Cibolo,TX (Byron P. Steele II)
Antonio Doyle (#10OLB) Saint Louis,MO (Lutheran North)
8.Florida (Sixth best class in SEC)
31.Antwaun Powell (#5DE) Chesapeake,VA (Indian River)
43.Gervon Dexter (#5DT) Lake Wales,FL (Lake Wales)
113.Ethan Pouncey (#10CB) Winter Park,FL (Winter Park)
117.Issiah Walker (#15OT) Miami,FL (Miami Norland)
9.Oklahoma (Best class in Big 12)
17.Reggie Grimes (#3OLB) Brentwood,TN (Ravenwood)
54.Andrew Raym (#6OT) Broken Arrow,OK (Broken Arrow)
59.Nathan Anderson (#8OT) Frisco,TX (Rick Reedy)
126.Michael Henderson (#10ATH) Irving,TX (Ranchview)
10.Michigan (Second ranked class in Big Ten)
26.Braiden McGregor (#1ATH) Port Huron,MI (Port Huron Northern)
108.AJ Henning (#16WR) Frankfort,IL (Lincoln-Way East)
116.Blake Corum (#12RB) Laurel,MD (St. Frances Academy)
161.Andre Seldon Jr. (#14CB) Belleville,MI (Belleville)
December 28
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Penn State vs. Memphis
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas
Noon, ESPN/ESPN App
Penn State gets a talented Memphis team in Arlington but the way Penn State has played this season tells me that they will break this game wide open in the second half. Prediction:Penn State 42, Memphis 28
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
1.LSU vs. 4.Oklahoma
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta
4 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
This game will be a shootout as both teams have guys on offense that will play on Sunday. So, even though LSU is the best team in the country, it could go either way. Prediction:LSU 59, Oklahoma 38
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
2.Ohio State vs. 3.Clemson
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019
State Farm Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
Like the LSU-Oklahoma game, this should very well be a shootout. This will also be Clemson’s very first “real” game of the season. For that measure, Ohio State will make them pay, shutting down the Clemson offense efficiently. Prediction:Ohio State 38, Clemson 24
December 30
Capital One Orange Bowl
Florida vs. Virginia
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
It is Virginia’s first appearance in a New Year’s Six Bowl. Again, Florida’s defense is dominant. Florida will make UVA’s offense pay and hold them to mininmal points. Prediction:Florida 38,Virginia 10
Januray 1
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Michigan vs. Alabama
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Florida
1 p.m., ABC/ESPN App
Michigan is a good team. But Alabama won’t finish the season with three losses. After what has happened with Tua, that will not happen. Prediction:Alabama 49, Michigan 27
Outback Bowl
Minnesota vs. Auburn
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
1 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
Coming off of a win over Alabama, Auburn should be fired up. But, this is a bold prediction and I have both of the defenses shutting down the opposing offense, turning it into a game on who’s offense can sustain one successful drive. Prediction:Minnesota 13, Auburn 9
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual
Oregon vs. Wisconsin
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
5 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
Both of these offenses have excellent players. And this is a fifty-fifty pick so I’m going with the ducks. Prediction:Oregon 38, Wisconsin 28
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Georgia vs. Baylor
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans
8:45 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
In the Sugar Bowl, Georgia lost a year ago. After a devastating blowout loss in the SEC Championship, Georgia will dominate this game. Prediction:Georgia 27, Baylor 13
Here’s what happened on the first day of college football’s 2020 class’s early signing period.
On a national level, EJ Smith, the son of former Florida Gators and Dallas Cowboys chose to sign with Stanford over his dad’s alma mater and Georgia.
ESPN 300 Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett flipped from LSU to Maryland. Alabama was also involved in Jarrett’s recruitment.
Defensive End Jordan Burch, number five in the ESPN 300, chose instate school South Carolina over fellow instate squad Clemson as well as SEC heavyweights Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.
Outside Linebacker Justin Flowe, the top ranked player in the state of California, signed with Oregon over Clemson, Georgia, USC, and Miami. This makes it back to back years that the top player from the golden state has left California and signed with Oregon (ESPN’s top prospect in 2019, Kavyon Thibodeaux signed with Oregon last February).
Clemson has the top ranked class entering tomorrow.
SEC Football will have three new head coaches now. Florida Atlantic Head Coach Lane Kiffin was hired by Ole Miss. Kiffin was formerly the Alabama Offensive Coordinator and Tennessee’s Head Coach. Sam Pittman, Georgia’s Offensive Line Coach and Associate Head Coach, was hired by Arkansas as its next head coach. Pittman was the offensive line coach at Arkansas from 2013-2015. Eliah Drinkwitch was hired by Missouri after a successful one loss season at Appalachian State.
1.LSU
As the top seed in the CFP, having won five games versus then top ten teams (Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Texas) they have the best resume in college football and it’s not that close. A dominant performance in Saturday’s SEC Championship, vulted LSU to the top spot in the rankings and rightly so.
2.Georgia
Despite getting their butts kicked by LSU this past Saturday, Georgia will play in a New Year’s Six Bowl Game and have earned the right do so. Georgia won the SEC East for the third straight year and have been dominant while doing it.
3.Florida
Florida was very competitive during the first half of the 2019 campaign but since losses to LSU and Georgia, they have flown under the radar. Florida will s still play in a high tier bowl game, though.
4.Auburn
A win in the Iron Bowl kept Coach Gus Malzahn off of the hot seat as things are looking up on the plains for 2020-21.
5.Alabama
Nick Saban’s team had its first two loss season since 2013-14. Because of injuries to the defense this season, the Tide have looked pitiful on that side of the ball. But a win in a bowl game should get this team fired up headed into next season.
6.Texas A&M
A tough 7-5 season for the Aggies doesn’t mean they didn’t have success. They played LSU, Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia who were all ranked inside the top three at one point and were competitive in all of those games. Another highly ranked recruiting class from Jimbo Fisher and his staff needs to mean a ten win season within the next two years.
7.Tennessee
Since losing to BYU and Georgia State early in the season, Jeremy Pruitt turned it around, as they went six and one in their final seven games. Things should be looking up for the Vols in 2020.
8.Kentucky
Despite losing two QBs, receiver turned QB Lynn Bowden led Kentucky this season to bowl elgibility. Mark Stoops, Kentucky’s head man, may be a high profile candidate for bigger jobs, but if he is retained expect another season like this or better in 2020 for the basketball power in football.
9.South Carolina
Even with an early season win over Georgia, South Carolina still went 4-8 and did not have any success after that. So, what does keeping Will Muschamp as coach do. Who knows?
10.Mississippi State
Despite the ideal hiring of former Penn State OC Joe Moorhead, things have not looked so hot for Mississippi State. A win versus Ole Miss a few weeks ago should do some healing, though.
11.Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt retained Derek Mason as its head coach, meaning not many transfers. That’s the only reason why Vandy is this high in the rankings.
12.Missouri
Missouri fired Barry Odom and after a week, have not found anyone as its new head coach. So, many players leave regarding transfer, so don’t expect huge things from Missouri next season.
13.Ole Miss
Ole Miss hired former USC and Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin (who also used to be Alabama’s OC) as its next head coach after firing Matt Luke. So, expect an offensive explosion from Ole Miss next season, despite many players leaving due to transfer.
14.Arkansas
Arkansas was the first to fire their coach of these three but have lost their top two candidates many presume (Kiffin to Ole Miss, Norvell to Florida State) to other jobs. So, at this point, Arkansas is at the lowest of lows in the SEC.
The CFP committee might have had the easiest job in the era. Did they botch this year’s four or nail it?
Playing in the Peach Bowl, the CFP Committee got the top spot right when it sent gave LSU the top ranking and sent them to the closest site to Baton Rouge, to Atlanta. With Utah and Georgia losing, all the committee had to do was pick the winner of the Big 12 Championship. Oklahoma defeated Baylor, and thus were given the four spot. LSU had five wins over then top ten teams, over Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Oklahoma has beaten everyone on their schedule except for Kansas State (who they were upset by). But, Oklahoma has looked great since, and have their best defense in the CFP era, something that the committee always questions for the Sooners. Now, the committee slid Ohio State down from the top ranking to number two after they had to comeback to beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Thus, now the Buckeyes have to play Clemson, another undefeated (like LSU and Ohio State) who won their respective conference championship game (ACC). Both of those seedings are correct concerning most of the public. Clemson and Ohio State will meet in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona come December 28. According to me, the committee got it right by moving LSU to the top spot and Ohio State down to the number two spot.
So here are all of the New Year’s Six Bowls for 2019:
December 28
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Penn State vs. Memphis
AT&T Stadium
Arlington, Texas
Noon, ESPN/ESPN App
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
1.LSU vs. 4.Oklahoma
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta
4 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
2.Ohio State vs. 3.Clemson
Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019
State Farm Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
December 30
Capital One Orange Bowl
Florida vs. Virginia
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
8 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
Januray 1
Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Michigan vs. Alabama
Camping World Stadium
Orlando, Florida
1 p.m., ABC/ESPN App
Outback Bowl
Minnesota vs. Auburn
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
1 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual
Oregon vs. Wisconsin
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
5 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Georgia vs. Baylor
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New Orleans
8:45 p.m., ESPN/ESPN App
For the College Football Playoff Committee, this might be the easiest four to choose in the era. Today, I predict who those four will be and all who will be in the New Year’s Six Bowl Games.
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
4 or 8 p.m., Dec. 28, ESPN
1.LSU vs. 4.Oklahoma
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
4 or 8 p.m., Dec. 28, ESPN
2.Ohio State vs. 3.Clemson
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Noon, Dec. 28, ESPN
17.Memphis vs. 8.Wisconsin
Capital One Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
8 p.m., Dec. 30, ESPN
23.Virginia at. 9.Florida
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
8:45 p.m., Jan. 1, ESPN
7.Baylor vs. 4.Georgia
