College Football Playoff Predictions With Shocking Twist
The 2024 college football playoff will look very different in years past because it will feature 12 teams for the first time.
New teams will be able to experience the playoffs for the first time, and here are the predictions for the 12-team college football playoff this season.
12. Liberty
Liberty's schedule is the most manageable out of the five nonpower teams that will be in contention, and it avoids playing a major school. Liberty has a chance to run the table this season, and since a nonpower school has to make the playoffs, it will have the best chance.
11. Michigan
The defending champions lost a lot of people, including their head coach, Jim Harbaugh, but that doesn't mean they can't make the playoffs again this season. The roster is very talented, and they have chances to knock off Texas, Ohio State, or Oregon. They could make the dance if they win one of those games; and their only losses were the other two.
10. Alabama
No Nick Saban, no Problem. Alabama still has one of the best quarterbacks in Jalen Milroe, and new head coach Kalen DeBoer has the chance to unleash him as he did with Michael Penix Jr. last season at Washington. The Crimson Tide might have some growing pains without Saban, but DeBoer is a great coach who will be able to work around any issues they face.
9. Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss fell a little short of the playoffs last season, but with the expansion of the 12 teams, don't be shocked if they are in the mix. Ole Miss doesn't have to face Alabama this season, and they get to host Georgia at home, so that could be a winnable game. The Rebels will be tested when they go on the road at LSU, but other than that, they have a very easy road schedule and could manage only one or two losses this season.
8. Penn State
The Nittany Lions need to make the playoffs, and it's a good time to do it. Quarterback Drew Allar could put himself into one of the best in the country, and they get to host Ohio State, which could be a winnable game, and they avoid Michigan and Oregon, so their schedule does them a favor.
7. Notre Dame
Notre Dame has no conference, so they can't get one of the first four seeds and get a bye, but they will find themselves in the playoffs. The Fighting Irish open up at Texas A&M, and if they can survive, they have a nice-looking road ahead with only Florida State, who they host, and USC on the road, which could give them a game.
6. Texas
The Longhorns roll into the SEC after coming out with a college football playoff appearance, and they are fortunate to have quarterback Quinn Ewers back. Texas will be tested much more than they were in the Big 12, but their roster is still loaded and should see an at-large bid.
5. Oregon
The Ducks are heading to the Big Ten this season and will do it with a fully loaded roster. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel transfers in from Oklahoma and possibly be the Heisman Trophy winner this season. Oregon hosts Ohio State, but if they even beat them, they will most likely have to face them again in the Big Ten title game, and it's a tough ask to beat the Buckeyes twice.
4. Virginia Tech
Nobody will probably see this one coming, but Virginia Tech has the chance to be the best team in the ACC this season. The conference is one of the worst in college football, and Florida State, Clemson, and Miami will be the favorites to win it but don't count out the Hokies. Quarterback Kyron Drones is one of the most underrated players in college football, and the Hokies have a favorable schedule, their two hardest games in Miami on the road and hosting Clemson.
3. Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State doesn't have to deal with Texas or Oklahoma, and it's their time to win the Big 12. The Cowboys host newcomer Utah, who will give Oklahoma State some issues, but they should be able to win the game. The Cowboys have to go on the road at Kansas State, which will be tough, but even if they lose that game and win the Big 12, they will be in the playoffs.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have the best roster on paper in the game, but their most significant question mark is the quarterback. Kansas State transfer Will Howard is expected to be named the starter at the quarterback position, but if he doesn't play up to his ability, Ohio State could struggle a little. The Buckeyes have three games on their schedule that could give them trouble: two on the road, Oregon and Penn State, and then hosting Michigan. Ohio State should be able to win at least two of those games, win the Big Ten title, and find themselves as the two-seed in the playoffs.
1.Georgia
There's not much more that can be said here other than that they have been the best team in college football in the past three years. The only person who could take them down was Alabama's head coach, Nick Saban, who is no longer coaching. Until someone can knock them off, there's no reason to pick against them.
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