Mason Billings The NCAA football regular season has come to a close, and the playoffs are up next. This is the first year the playoffs have opened up from 4 teams to 12, making it the most anticipated postseason. Here’s who we predict will make the playoffs, where they will rank, and some information about each team.
Embed from Getty ImagesOregon:
The Oregon Ducks are the favorite to win the championship after capping off an undefeated regular season. This offense has been a powerhouse, led by the 6th-year senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel. They have beaten their opponent by 20+ points in eight games this season. Unlike other teams that have gone undefeated in the regular season, Oregon isn’t loaded with guys who will be taken in the first round in the upcoming NFL draft. This team is about the name on the front, not the back. They will likely beat Penn State in the Big 10 championship and take the No. 1 seed.
Texas:
The Texas Longhorns have held down the No. 2 seed for the last couple of weeks just behind an undefeated Oregon team. The offense is looking strong, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has excellent potential if he develops his consistency and decision-making, especially with a top recruit receiver such as Jonte Cook, who will likely be another key player in the passing game of an already strong group of receivers. Not to mention the team’s solid offensive line and defense, which have been a strong unit throughout the season. With the upcoming SEC Championship, Texas is looking to beat Georgia and likely secure a top-two seed in the playoffs. If they lose, they will play in a first-round playoff game. Either way, they have what it takes to make it far.
Penn State:
The Nittany Lions just finished one of their best regular season campaigns in recent history, going 11-1. While the team’s offense has been solid, the powerhouse defense is the difference for Penn State. On average, the defense holds its opponents to 14 points per game. On the offensive side, they have the best tight end in the country, Tyler Warren. He is about to get over 1,000 receiving yards, and they occasionally use him in the backfield, as he has six rushing touchdowns this season. The Nittany Lions are a fun team to watch, and even though they will likely lose the Big 10 championship, they will remain in the No. 3 seed.
Embed from Getty ImagesOhio State:
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had a fantastic season thus far, blowing out almost every team they have faced with scores like 58-0 and 77-10. Their defense ranks one of the best in the nation, holding teams to under 300 yards every game. On the other side of the ball, former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard has had his best season ever as a Buckeye. He has thrown for almost 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. A reason for this might be freshman wide receiver Jerimiah Smith, catching over 900 yards and ten touchdowns. If this team can continue to produce on offense and play lockdown defense, they will be in great shape during the playoffs.
Notre Dame:
In South Bend, Notre Dame football is a sacred practice on Saturdays in the fall and winter. The expectations are high as always, as the fighting Irish have gone 11-1 this season. Their only loss is to Northern Illinois, which was the season’s biggest upset. This loss is the only thing that keeps them from being ranked #2 or even #1. But don’t get it messed up because they are a team that can make a deep run in the playoffs and take home a championship.
Embed from Getty ImagesSMU:
SMU has been climbing the ladder this season, moving up the rankings for three consecutive weeks, setting its highest rank in franchise history. The Mustangs have a great mix of experienced players and young talent, leading to their success. Three players landed a spot on the All-ACC first team this season. These players include running back Brashard Smith, who has over 1,000 yards on the ground this season with 14 touchdowns, and defensive players Jared Harrison-Hunte and Isaiah Nwokobia, who have combined for many losses of yards and forced turnovers. With the ACC championship ahead, they can knock Clemson out of the playoffs and solidify themselves as serious contenders.
Tennessee:
The Tennesse Volunteers finished the regular season 10-2 and 3rd in the SEC, but they missed the SEC championship game. The team is led by Heisman candidate running back Dylan Sampson, who dominated this year with 1,485 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. We predict they will finish in the No. 7 seed, meaning they will host their first-round playoff game against the ten seed. 100,000-seat Neyland Stadium is one of the hardest environments for opponents to play in college sports, making their chances of winning that much better. The Vols are primed to win their first game, but a championship seems unlikely.
Embed from Getty ImagesBoise State:
The Broncos finished their regular season with an 11-1 record, their best in program history. Their 10-game win streak is the second-longest active streak in the nation, showing just how dominant and consistent they are. The run game has been big for this team, with Mountain West’s offensive player of the year, Ashton Jeanty. He leads the league in running yards with over 2,000 yards and, against the top 25 ranked teams, has an average of 7.7 yards per carry. If Boise can beat UNLV for a second time this season in the Mountain West championship, they are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs and a possibility of a first-round bye. In the playoffs, they need to continue to ride this momentum into a deep playoff run and possibly, but highly unlikely, a championship.
Embed from Getty ImagesIndiana:
The University of Indiana has been a lot of things but a football school. The Hoosiers have only finished above 500 twice in the regular season this century and haven’t won a bowl game since 1991. But new head coach Curt Cignetti has taken the Hoosiers from the doormat of the Big 10 to a dominant 11-1 record, almost capping off an undefeated season. The team is very experienced, with most of the players being seniors. The team’s only loss was to Ohio State, the only ranked team they played all season, which is the main reason we have them at No. 9. If Indiana can rise to the occasion, they can make a big playoff run and cause trouble.
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorgia:
The Georgia Bulldogs have been a dominant team for the last couple of years, coming off a 14-1 record last season, a championship two seasons ago, and a 10-2 record this season. Their success has been built off of their explosive offensive, led by quarterback Carson Beck, with one of the best completion percentages in the league. They have also had success on the other side of the ball with defensive back Malaki Stark, who has accumulated 120 tackles and five interceptions in just two seasons. It will be tough with the SEC championship coming up against the No. 2 Texas team. While it will not affect either team, a win for Georgia could solidify them as a serious threat in the playoffs.
Arizona State:
The Sun Devils were red hot this November and have found their groove. They currently rank No. 15 in the country and face No. 16 ranked Iowa State in the Big 12 championship. A victory in the Big 12 championship will likely bump them to No. 11 in the national rankings, barely securing a spot in the playoffs. It is highly unlikely that the Sun Devils will make it all the way, but it wouldn’t be too surprising if they managed to pull off a game or two.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlabama:
Alabama football has been the most dominant football program this century, winning six championships under former head coach Nick Saban. As the program has transferred hands from Saban to Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide continues to win. This season, the seventeen-year-old wide receiver phenom Ryan Williams has turned heads and has been one of the most entertaining players. The Tide have lost three games this season but have some great wins, one where they beat Georgia. This team may be the last one in but don’t be surprised if Alabama returns to its ways and makes a run.
Mason Billings is a senior member of the Multimedia Journalism class.
Nicholas Venturella is a sophomore member of the Multimedia Journalism class.
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