CFB: Bowl season preview & picks
Team Rankings:
1. LSU (13-0, 100)
2. Ohio State (13-0, 96)
3. Clemson (13-0, 92)
4. Oklahoma (12-1, 88)
5. Boise State (12-1, 84)
6. Georgia (11-2, 80)
7. Baylor (11-2, 76)
8. Oregon (11-2, 72)
9. Utah (11-2, 68)
10. Florida (11-2, 64)
Breakdown: #1 LSU easily moved past #6 Georgia in the SEC championship game, eliminating the Bulldogs from playoff contention, while cementing themselves as the overall top seed in the College Football Playoff. It was the fifth victory versus a top-10 opponent for the Tigers this season. #2 Ohio State came back to defeat Wisconsin after falling down by double digits in the first half, earning their 19th straight win. #3 Clemson blew out Virginia to win their fifth straight ACC title and 28th straight game, while #4 Oklahoma slipped by #7 Baylor in overtime to take home their third consecutive Big 12 crown. Lastly, #8 Oregon upset #9 Utah in the Pac-12 championship game behind Justin Herbert's heroics. #10 Florida was idle as they finished second in the SEC East.
Bowl Season Picks:
Buffalo @ Charlotte
Kent State @ Utah State
C. Michigan @ SDSU
Liberty @ Georgia Southern
SMU @ Florida Atlantic
FIU @ Arkansas State
#5 Boise State @ Washington
Appalachian State @ UAB
Marshall @ UCF
BYU @ Hawaii
Miami (FL) @ Louisiana Tech
Pittsburgh @ E. Michigan
Temple @ North Carolina
Wake Forest @ Michigan St.
Oklahoma St. @ Texas A&M
Iowa @ USC
Air Force @ Washington St.
Iowa State @ Notre Dame
W. Michigan @ W. Kentucky
Louisville @ Mississippi State
Illinois @ California
Kentucky @ Va Tech
Florida State @ Arizona St.
Kansas State @ Navy
Georgia State @ Wyoming
#9 Utah @ Texas
B. College @ Cincinnati
Indiana @ Tennessee
Ohio @ Nevada
Tulane @ S. Mississippi
Miami (OH) @ Louisiana
Michigan @ Alabama
Minnesota @ Auburn
Penn State @ Memphis
Virginia @ #10 Florida
Wisconsin @ #8 Oregon
Picks Records:
Caleb Henderson: 69-26
Charles Post: 79-16
Chinedum Wejinya: 78-17
Tyler Taylor: 63-32
Breakdown: The bowl season kicks off on Friday, Dec. 21 when Buffalo and Charlotte meet. There are a ton of great games along the way including #5 Boise State versus Washington, Iowa State versus Notre Dame, #9 Utah versus Texas, Michigan versus Alabama, and Minnesota versus Auburn. And that's before we even get to the New Year's Six games: Penn State against Memphis (Cotton Bowl), Virginia against #10 Florida (Orange Bowl), Wisconsin against #8 Oregon (Rose Bowl), and #7 Baylor against #6 Georgia (Sugar Bowl). In the national semifinals, #4 Oklahoma will face #1 LSU in the Peach Bowl, prior to #2 Ohio State getting #3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. In those games, we're picking Penn State, Florida, Oregon, Georgia, LSU, and Clemson.
Heisman Standings:
1. Joe Burrow (LSU, 20)
2. Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma, 16)
3. Chase Young (Ohio State, 12)
4. Justin Fields (Ohio State, 8)
5. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson, 4)
Breakdown: Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy following an incredible season in which he compiled 4,715 passing yards, 48 touchdowns (first in the country), and six interceptions. He also added three touchdowns on the ground. Burrow finished the year with a 77.9% completion rate. Jalen Hurts finished second in the Heisman race after having 3,634 yards, 32 touchdowns, and seven picks in his senior season. Chase Young, who finished third in our final results, is going to likely be the #1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. He has 44 tackles, 16.5 sacks (first in the country), and six forced fumbles. Justin Fields, the second finalist from Ohio State, had 2,953 yards, 40 touchdowns, and just one pick. Trevor Lawrence finishes in fifth place after having 3,172 yards, 34 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Photo Credit: Clutch Points.
