CFB: Championship Week Preview
Team Rankings:
1. Ohio State (12-0, 99)
2. Clemson (12-0, 94)
3. LSU (12-0, 93)
4. Georgia (11-1, 87)
5. Oklahoma (11-1, 81)
6. Utah (11-1, 81)
7. Baylor (11-1, 75)
8. Florida (10-2, 68)
9. Boise State (11-1, 55)
10. Auburn (9-3, 34)
Breakdown: #1 Ohio State sits at the top spot for the second week in a row following a 56-27 drubbing of rival Michigan on the road. #2 Clemson moved up a spot after a runaway victory over South Carolina on the road, while #3 LSU slid a spot, despite defeating Texas A&M 50-7 at home. Those three are near locks for the CFP, though, so the order doesn't matter all that much. #4 Georgia is still sitting in that spot but it might not last as they have to face LSU in the SEC championship game on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs need to win that one to have a chance at their second CFP appearance. #5 Oklahoma and #6 Utah are waiting in the wings, as they prepare for their respective conference title games. #7 Baylor is the only other team in our top-10 that has a shot at reaching the playoffs.
Championship Week Picks:
Virginia @ #2 Clemson
#1 Ohio State @ Wisconsin
#6 Utah @ Oregon
Cincinnati @ Memphis
UAB @ Florida Atlantic
Miami (OH) @ C. Michigan
Hawaii @ #9 Boise State
Louisiana @ App. State
Picks Records:
Caleb Henderson: 60-25
Charles Post: 71-14
Chinedum Wejinya: 69-16
Tyler Taylor: 56-29
Playoff Picks:
1. Ohio State (13-0, Big Ten champions)
2. LSU (13-0, SEC champions)
3. Clemson (13-0, ACC champions)
4. Utah (12-1, Pac-12 champions)
Breakdown: Clemson will face their fifth different opponent in as many years in the ACC championship game as they have defeated North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami, and Pittsburgh in the past, all by double digits. They will likely do the same to the Cavaliers. Oklahoma and Baylor will battle for the Big 12 championship and a potential playoff spot. Ohio State gets Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship, while Utah and Oregon look for the Pac-12 title. The final power five championship game is in the aforementioned SEC title between LSU and Georgia. In the group of five games, Memphis hosts Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic gets UAB, Miami (OH) heads to Detroit versus Central Michigan, Hawaii faces one-loss Boise State, and Appalachian State takes on Louisiana. Check out our official selections above.
Heisman Standings:
1. Joe Burrow (LSU, 20)
2. Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma, 15)
3. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson, 8)
4. JK Dobbins (Ohio State, 6)
5. Chase Young (Ohio State, 3)
Breakdown: Joe Burrow is the clear runaway at this point. Burrow's season has been pretty similar to Baker Mayfield's 2017 campaign and each quarterback was the clear favorite heading into the ceremony. Unless something drastic happens in the SEC championship game, it'd be absolutely shocking to see someone upset Burrow. Jalen Hurts has been in the second spot for most of the year and he's earned a trip to New York. Trevor Lawrence has climbed his way back into the discussion but we'll have to see if it's good enough to be named a finalist. The last two spots in our standings are a pair of Ohio State players, and the first player outside of our rankings is a Buckeye too. We gave the edge to star running back JK Dobbins and dominant pass rusher Chase Young, but Justin Fields in just on the edge.
Photo Credit: Burnt Orange Nation.
