CFB: Predicting All 40 Bowl Games
The 2017-18 College Football season is (unfortunately) coming to a close in just over a month, but maybe we've saved the best for last? There have been incredible games this season, headlined by UCLA's comeback against Texas A&M in Week 1, USC outlasting Texas in double overtime in Week 3, Miami walking off against Florida State in Week 6, Ohio State storming back to upset Penn State in Week 9, and Central Florida outscoring South Florida in a Week 13 thriller. But who said we don't have even more fireworks in store?
There are so many must-see games, and not just in the College Football Playoff. Although, the Sugar Bowl hosting a rubber match of No. 1 Clemson and No. 4 Alabama, and the Rose Bowl pitting No. 2 Oklahoma against No. 3 Georgia, should be great too. But No. 5 Ohio State facing No. 7 USC is one heck of a consolation prize. Plus, there are 37 other games that haven't even been mentioned. But our CFB Staff - Charles Post, Chase Zayac, and Chinedum Wejinya - will predict each and every bowl game.
*Maximum of 100 Points.*
Semifinalists:
1. Clemson (12-1, 7-1) - 100 Pts.
2. Oklahoma (12-1, 8-1) - 98 Pts.
3. Georgia (12-1, 7-1) - 94 Pts.
4. Alabama (11-1, 7-1) - 91 Pts.
Top-25 Rankings:
5. Ohio State (11-2, 8-1) - 88 Pts.
6. Wisconsin (12-1, 9-0) - 83 Pts.
7. USC (11-2, 8-1) - 82 Pts.
8. Auburn (10-3, 7-1) - 76 Pts.
9. Penn State (10-2, 7-2) - 75 Pts.
10. Miami (11-2, 7-1) - 74 Pts.
11. Central Florida (13-0, 8-0) - 73 Pts.
12. Washington (10-2, 7-2) - 69 Pts.
13. Notre Dame (9-3, 4-1) - 62 Pts.
14. Stanford (9-4, 7-2) - 62 Pts.
15. TCU (10-3, 7-2) - 56 Pts.
16. Michigan State (9-3, 7-2) - 53 Pts.
17. Oklahoma State (9-3, 6-3) - 51 Pts.
18. LSU (9-3, 6-2) - 49 Pts.
19. Washington State (9-3, 6-3) - 43 Pts.
20. Northwestern (9-3, 7-2) - 42 Pts.
21. Boise State (10-3, 7-1) - 37 Pts.
22. Virginia Tech (9-3, 5-3) - 34 Pts.
23. Toledo (11-2, 7-1) - 14 Pts.
24. San Diego State (10-2, 7-2) - 13 Pts.
25. Florida Atlantic (10-3, 8-0) - 12 Pts.
Just Missed the Cut:
26. NC State (8-4, 6-2) - 11 Pts.
27. Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4) - 10 Pts.
28. Fresno State (9-4, 7-1) - 9 Pts.
29. Michigan (8-4, 5-4) - 5 Pts.
30. Iowa State (7-5, 5-4) - 3 Pts.
Charles Post:
Georgia State vs. W. Kentucky
Utah State vs. New Mexico State
Temple vs. Florida International
Marshall vs. Colorado State
Wyoming vs. Central Michigan
Arkansas State vs. Middle Tennessee
Duke vs. Northern Illinois
SMU vs. Louisiana Tech
Troy vs. North Texas
UAB vs. Ohio
Navy vs. Virginia
Akron vs. Florida Atlantic
Florida State vs. Southern Miss
Appalachian State vs. No. 23 Toledo
Army vs. No. 24 San Diego State
Iowa vs. Boston College
Houston vs. Fresno State
Texas Tech vs. South Florida
UCLA vs. Kansas State
Arizona vs. Purdue
Iowa State vs. Memphis
West Virginia vs. Utah
Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest
Louisville vs. Mississippi State
Kentucky vs. No. 20 Northwestern
Arizona State vs. NC State
Oregon vs. Boise State
Texas vs. Missouri
No. 16 Michigan State vs. No. 19 Washington State
No. 22 Virginia Tech vs. No. 17 Oklahoma State
Michigan vs. South Carolina
No. 13 Notre Dame vs. No. 18 LSU
No. 14 Stanford vs. No. 15 TCU
No. 8 Auburn vs. No. 11 Central Florida
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Wisconsin
No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 12 Washington
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 7 USC No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Clemson
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Georgia
Week 14 Record: 9-1.
Overall Record: 124-36.
Chase Zayac:
Georgia State vs. W. Kentucky
Utah State vs. New Mexico State
Temple vs. Florida International
Marshall vs. Colorado State
Wyoming vs. Central Michigan
Arkansas State vs. Middle Tennessee
Duke vs. Northern Illinois
SMU vs. Louisiana Tech
Troy vs. North Texas
UAB vs. Ohio
Navy vs. Virginia
Akron vs. Florida Atlantic
Florida State vs. Southern Miss
Appalachian State vs. No. 23 Toledo
Army vs. No. 24 San Diego State
Iowa vs. Boston College
Houston vs. Fresno State
Texas Tech vs. South Florida
UCLA vs. Kansas State
Arizona vs. Purdue
Iowa State vs. Memphis
West Virginia vs. Utah
Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest
Louisville vs. Mississippi State
Kentucky vs. No. 20 Northwestern
Arizona State vs. NC State
Oregon vs. Boise State
Texas vs. Missouri
No. 16 Michigan State vs. No. 19 Washington State
No. 22 Virginia Tech vs. No. 17 Oklahoma State
Michigan vs. South Carolina
No. 13 Notre Dame vs. No. 18 LSU
No. 14 Stanford vs. No. 15 TCU
No. 8 Auburn vs. No. 11 Central Florida
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Wisconsin
No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 12 Washington
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 7 USC No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Clemson
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Georgia
Week 14 Record: 7-3.
Overall Record: 107-53.
Chinedum Wejinya:
Georgia State vs. W. Kentucky
Utah State vs. New Mexico State
Temple vs. Florida International
Marshall vs. Colorado State
Wyoming vs. Central Michigan
Arkansas State vs. Middle Tennessee
Duke vs. Northern Illinois
SMU vs. Louisiana Tech
Troy vs. North Texas
UAB vs. Ohio
Navy vs. Virginia
Akron vs. Florida Atlantic
Florida State vs. Southern Miss
Appalachian State vs. No. 23 Toledo
Army vs. No. 24 San Diego State
Iowa vs. Boston College
Houston vs. Fresno State
Texas Tech vs. South Florida
UCLA vs. Kansas State
Arizona vs. Purdue
Iowa State vs. Memphis
West Virginia vs. Utah
Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest
Louisville vs. Mississippi State
Kentucky vs. No. 20 Northwestern
Arizona State vs. NC State
Oregon vs. Boise State
Texas vs. Missouri
No. 16 Michigan State vs. No. 19 Washington State
No. 22 Virginia Tech vs. No. 17 Oklahoma State
Michigan vs. South Carolina
No. 13 Notre Dame vs. No. 18 LSU
No. 14 Stanford vs. No. 15 TCU
No. 8 Auburn vs. No. 11 Central Florida
No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Wisconsin
No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 12 Washington
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 7 USC No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Clemson
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Georgia
Week 14 Record: 9-1.
Overall Record: 114-46.
1. How will Wyoming's Josh Allen play in his final game before likely being drafted in the top-10?
Josh Allen is among five quarterbacks who have been getting all of the publicity heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, alongside Josh Rosen (UCLA), Sam Darnold (USC), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), and Lamar Jackson (Louisville), but he's the most unknown of the bunch, given where he plays. But with the recent success of North Dakota State's Carson Wentz with the Philadelphia Eagles, teams may be willing to take a chance on Allen. We all think he'll play well, and Chase Zayac has him throwing for 250 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions against Central Michigan.
2. Can Florida State clinch a winning season with a win over Southern Miss in the Independence Bowl?
Florida State had one of the most disappointing seasons in the country, highlighted by losses to Alabama, Miami, Louisville, Boston College, and Clemson. But the Seminoles are on a three-game winning streak, including a 38-22 victory on the road at rival Florida. Because of the winning streak, the Seminoles were able to keep their 35-year bowl appearance streak intact. However, can they defeat Southern Mississippi and move to a 7-6 record? "Florida State will be able to have a winning season, (and) next year they will be better with their starting QB being back," said Chinedum Wejinya. However, Chase Zayac has them losing their bowl game.
3. Will Iowa State end their impressive season with another upset and if so, will Matt Campbell leave?
"Iowa State had a dream come true season, but Memphis has just looked too powerful and will win in that bowl," said Chase Zayac. "Matt Campbell should venture elsewhere, but he won't." But on the other hand, Chinedum Wejinya is taking the Cyclones to finish with a 8-5 record, beating the Tigers, and he also believes Campbell with stay with Iowa State as he has an ever-improving. Charles Post is taking Memphis to win the game in a close one, and thinks Campbell will interview for other jobs, but will eventually end up staying for at least another year. ESPN gives Memphis a 57.5 percent chance to win.
4. What are the best non-NY6 game and who starts his 2018 Heisman trophy campaign?
Charles Post voted for Virginia Tech versus Oklahoma State in the Camping World Bowl and South Florida against Texas Tech in the Birmingham Bowl. Meanwhile, Chinedum Wejinya picked Notre Dame taking on LSU to be the best non-New Year's Six game. Lastly, Chase Zayac dubbed Washington State and Michigan State, and Iowa State versus Memphis to be thrillers. A couple of names to keep an eye on according to our writers regarding the 2018 Heisman are all running backs, Bryce Love (Stanford), J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State), and Cam Akers (Florida State).
5. Who wins the fourth annual CFP national title and why?
"I think the most entertaining game will be Alabama and Clemson in their third straight meeting," said Chase Zayac. "However, Oklahoma will run away with the title behind Heisman winner, Baker Mayfield." Meanwhile, our final two analysts are taking the defending champions, Clemson, to win it all. "I'm putting all my money on the Tigers to beat Alabama for the third consecutive year, and I think this team has the possibility of being better than the last two," said Charles Post. "And neither Georgia or Oklahoma will be able to muster up enough offense in the national championship game."
*Maximum of 20 Points.*
Heisman Standings:
1. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma QB) - 20 Pts.
2. Bryce Love (Stanford RB) - 17 Pts.
3. Lamar Jackson (Louisville QB) - 14 Pts.
4. Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin RB) - 7 Pts.
5. Rashaad Penny (San Diego State RB) - 5 Pts.
Movement: Baker Mayfield (+0) is likely heading head with the hardware as this is our final installment of the Heisman Standings before the trophy presentation on Saturday December 8, 2017. Mayfield, antics and all, had an unbelievable year, throwing for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns. Bryce Love (+0) is also a Heisman finalist, after he looked outstanding since a Week 1 touchdown against Rice, compiling 1,973 yards and 17 scores, with an average of 8.3 yards per carry. Lamar Jackson (+1) jumped a spot even though he didn't play last weekend, but 3,489 yards and 60.4 percent passing is good enough to head to New York for the second straight season after winning the award last year. Jonathan Taylor (-1) had 1,847 yards in his freshman year and Rashaad Penny (+1) led the country in rushing yards with 2,027 yards to finish out out top five.
College Football Playoff Picks - Week 1:
College Football Playoff Picks - Week 10:
College Football Playoff Picks - Week 14:
Photo Credit: Bet the Board.
