After this week, the college football regular season will be at the half-way point. Now is a good time to look at which four teams will be in the College Football Playoff at the end of the season. Based on how the season has played out and looking at the rest of the schedule, who will end up in the final four?
TSS associate editors Bart Doan and Terry Johnson join staff writer Kevin Causey in this roundtable discussion about the most desperate teams in college football.
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Question: Based on how the season has gone so far, which four teams will be in the CFP?
Bart Doan:
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
Hard to not love early poop tossing at the wall on the CFB Playoff. So let’s go.
1. Ohio State – Think about where OSU was at this time last year. They were an afterthought no matter what they did. Give them time to get it together. No way you’d choose any other team in a one-game for one million bucks other than this team.
2. Utah – No team has been more impressive in terms of what they have accomplished this season. I really hope that if Utah continues to do what they’re doing, folks don’t dock them because they expect it. I’m all for college football socialism.
3. Clemson – Notre Dame was the first team to really challenge them, and Clemson did just fine. I like their arc. Get on the bandwagon, kids.
4. Florida – Go Gata. Two weeks ago, Ole Miss was going to take over college football. Until Florida took them out back for a tanning. If they learn to handle the respect they’re bound to get (starting this weekend), whoa buddy.
Kevin Causey:
On Twitter @CFBZ
When looking at this question, you have to pull out your crystal ball and predict the future. Here’s my four teams….
Alabama – The Tide lost early to Ole Miss and got a wake-up call. They will be undefeated the rest of the season and will win the SEC Championship Game thus earning a spot with one loss.
Ohio State – The Buckeyes will slip up somewhere along the way but they will be good enough to get a bid with one loss.
Baylor – If TCU was healthy they would be my pick here. They aren’t… so it’s Baylor.
Clemson – They are my wildcard. Let’s be honest, they don’t have too tough of a schedule left. The biggest game in FSU and it’s at home. Clemson will be undefeated and will be in the final four (where they will lose their first game, but that’s for a different column)….
Terry Johnson:
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
Are you certain that I should answer this question? It looks like I whiffed on Georgia Tech and Auburn in my preseason prognostications.
Now that I’m done tossing myself under the bus, here’s my pick.
1. Ohio State – The Buckeyes will be the best team in the country at the end of the regular season. Sure, that they haven’t played a perfect game yet, but Urban Meyer will have the team prepared for whatever challenges it will face late in the season.
2. Baylor – I’m surprised that the “TCU or Baylor” debate still continues. After all, the Bears beat the Horned Frogs last season, and have looked like a much better team thus far this season. Regardless of whether Baylor plays Lamar or Texas Tech, expect the Bears to score points against anyone. The Bears are literally that good.
3. Alabama – Since the last two Egg Bowls have produced upsets, I’m expecting it to happen again this year, which would vault the Crimson Tide into the top spot in SEC West. Given how well Alabama is playing right now, I think it’ll beat Florida in a very well-played SEC Championship Game to earn a spot here.
4. Florida State – The ACC champion Seminoles will capture the fourth and final spot in the College Football Playoff. Like Ohio State, they’ve yet to play a completely perfect game this season. If and when they do, watch out, because Florida State is good enough to win it all this season.
I’m sure you’re wondering why I left the Pac-12 champion out in favor of the ACC Champ. Simply put: I’m convinced that the eventual league champion will finish the season with two losses because the league is so deep.
