The playoff committee released their first set of rankings this week, and naturally everyone is in an uproar over where their team is ranked.
To take a page out of Aaron Rodgers’ playbook: R-E-L-A-X.
Those rankings are far from set in stone and fall in same category as preseason polls for me. They are more for discussion and they have achieved that goal.
As for this week we have plenty of great matchups to look forward to, and one of them includes two of the teams that landed in the top four of the committee’s rankings. On top of that, another team within the top four will face a daunting test a home.
Lets take a look at the matchups for the weekend.
#25 Houston vs. Cincinnati
This matchup features two offenses that have no problem getting the football into the end zone, and one team who is hoping to run the table and make some noise in a New Year’s bowl. Tom Herman has Third Ward down in Houston buzzing and he has the Cougars playing some damn good football these days. I think the Bearcats will put up some points and give the Cougars a run for their money, but I am not betting against Greg Ward in this one.
Prediction: Houston
#21 Northwestern vs. Penn State
This matchup features two Big 10 programs that have had decent seasons, but they won’t be playing for the Big 10 title. Both teams have suffered losses to two quality opponents on their schedule, and have already punched their ticket into the bowl season. This game is a true toss up and every sense of the term, but with this game being in Evanston, I am rolling with the Wildcats in a close one.
Prediction: Northwestern
#16 Florida State vs. #1 Clemson
This game was an absolute dandy last year in Tallahassee, but this year the venue shifts to Death Valley and the Tigers are the number one ranked team in the country. Just like last year Florida State will have Sean Maguire under center, but he has more experience and seems to be much more ready this time around. Unfortunately for him he won’t be making this start at home and Clemson has a pretty good quarterback in Deshaun Watson. This year Clemson gets the win and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win this one by double digits.
Prediction: Clemson
#14 Oklahoma State vs. #8 TCU
In a game that should be a shootout, it is only right that one of the teams involved is named the Cowboys. This is a showdown between two of the Big 12’s undefeated teams and there will be no shortage of offense. Oklahoma State is coming off a high scoring affair against Texas Tech out in Lubbock in which they allowed 53 points, while scoring 70. They better hope that their offense can do that again, because TCU features an offense that includes a Heisman contender in Trevone Boykin and one of the best wide receivers in the country in Josh Doctson. The Frogs have shown they can get it done on the road this year, and I think they do it again in Stillwater.
Prediction: TCU
#13 Memphis vs. Navy
If you haven’t watched Paxton Lynch this year, then do yourself a favor and tune into the matchup. If you haven’t seen Keenan Reynolds play, then do yourself a favor and tune into this matchup. Lynch is a future Top 10 pick and Reynolds is on the cusp of breaking the all-time career rushing touchdowns record. On top of all that, this game is sure to be a good one. I have a hard time picking against Memphis and Lynch in this one, but Navy and their triple option attack is sure to give them a game.
Prediction: Memphis
#5 Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh
The Fighting Irish keep finding ways to win. I’ve been impressed by them as much as any other team I’ve watched all year. This week they will take on first year head coach Pat Narduzzi and his Pittsburgh Panthers, who have scratched out six wins so far despite losing star running back James Connor in week one. Both teams have battled through some adversity this year, but I think the Irish keep on rolling in this matchup and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Prediction: Notre Dame
#4 Alabama vs. #2 LSU
When these two get together it is always must see TV. I compared the games between Alabama and LSU to the Steelers/Ravens matchups in the NFL. Hard hitting, hard-nosed, down south football. These games are always close and the winner typically ends in the SEC title game. This year this game has even bigger implications, as the winner will more or less cement their spot in the college football playoff. This game will feature two workhorse running backs in Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry, and I expect both of them to get plenty of work by the time the night is done. I picked against the Tide at home against Ole Miss, but I’ve always said that in order to beat them, that the opposing team must be able to have some kind of offensive balance. I think they will load the box against Fournette and make Brandon Harris try to beat them from the pocket. I don’t think that will end well for LSU.
Prediction: Alabama