College football playoff predictions: Who’s in and who’s out of CFP’s final bracket
RJ Young
FOX Sports National College Football Analyst
Now that conference championship weekend has come to a close, the College Football Playoff selection committee has some thinking to do.
It sounds like Oregon and Georgia have the top two seeds in the first-ever 12-team CFP lockout, and there are three teams competing for the first two byes: Big 12 champion Arizona State, ACC champion Clemson, and Mountain West champion Boise State.
The Sun Devils sit at 11-2 with a dominant win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game. Kenny Dilligham turned a team that went 3-9 last season into a six-game winning streak and averaged 37.2 points per contest during that stretch.
Clemson, fresh off a win over SMU in the ACC title game, didn’t have a win in his career before Saturday night’s win over the Mustangs. Dabo Swinney’s program finished with nine or more wins for the 14th year in a row.
Then there’s Boise State, led by Ashton Jeanty, who has rushed for nearly 2,500 yards this season and could break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record (2,629) in BSU’s first CFP game. The Broncos only loss this season was the last game against the top ranked team in the country.
What will the committee do? We’ll find out at Noon ET on Sunday. For now, here are my updated CFP ratings:
1. In Oregon
Conference: The Top Ten
Record: 13-0
2. Georgia
Conference: SEC
Record: 11-2
3. Arizona State
Conference: Big 12
Record: 11-2
4. Clemson
Conference: ACC
Record: 10-3
5. Notre Dame
Conference: Independent
Record: 11-1
6. Penn State
Conference: The Top Ten
Record: 11-2
7. In Indiana
Conference: The Top Ten
Record: 11-1
8. Texas
Conference: SEC
Record: 11-2
9. State of Ohio
Conference: The Top Ten
Record: 10-2
10. Tennessee
Conference: SEC
Record: 10-2
11. Boise State
Conference: The Mountain West
Record: 12-1
12. Alabama
Conference: SEC
Record: 9-3
QUARTERFINAL GAMES
1. Oregon: Bye (will play the winner of 8. Texas vs. 9. Ohio State)
2. In Georgia: Bye (will play winner of 7. Indiana vs. 10. Tennessee)
3. State of Arizona: Bye (will then play the winner of 6. Penn State vs. 11. Boise State)
4. Clemson: Bye (will then play the winner of 5. Notre Dame vs. 12. Alabama)
FIRST GAMES
5. Notre Dame vs. 12. Alabama
Alabama features the sport’s leading rusher at QB, Jalen Milroe, and will be one of the most explosive teams the Fighting Irish have seen all year. Notre Dame’s defense has held opponents to just 13.6 points per game this season, but Alabama could present a real challenge.
Jalen Milroe threw for 2,652 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 719 yards and 20 touchdowns this year. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
6. Penn State vs. 11. Boise State
The best linebacker in the sport, Ashton Jeanty, will be paired offensively with a set of the best linebackers in the sport, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both the teams are looking to get a win in their first match in the CFP.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty has rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns this season. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
7. Indiana vs. 10. Tennessee
The Hoosiers and Vols will be making their first trip to the CFP. Both teams have offenses that like to rush and protect elite pass rushers. These two programs are set to feature some of the most intriguing postseason events.
Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke threw for 2,827 yards and 27 touchdowns this year. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
8. Texas vs. 9. Ohio State
This match could have been for the national title as two talented sportsmen were facing each other. Between Quintrevion Wisner and Quinshon Judkins, the running game will be on full display in the Buckeyes’ trip to Austin.
Ohio State freshman WR Jeremiah Smith has caught 57 passes for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
RJ Young is a national college football writer and commentator for FOX Sports and host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him on @RJ_Omusha.
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