The 2015 college football season culminates in 2016, when the four best teams compete in the second ever College Football Playoff. We even have some new football uniform also faces this year, as Clemson, Michigan State and Oklahoma have all earned their way into the promised land, while Nick Saban’s (Alabama) Crimson Tide return for the second time to try to take back the national title.
Alabama makes for the only team in the history of the College Football Playoff to make multiple appearances in the small tournament, and even though that’s a short history, it’s still an interesting narrative. Ranked as the #2 team in the College Football Playoff bracket, the Crimson Tide will be tasked with taking on the Michigan State Spartans. If they can win, they can get back to the national title game for the first time since winning it in 2012.
While Alabama’s run is a fun story-line, this year’s College Football Playoff is not without controversy, as many college football fans felt scorned with their favorite (and arguably deserving) teams being left out of the mix. Still, everything is set up for quite the dramatic finish. Let’s break down both games and see who is slated to become the next college football champion:
#1 Clemson Tigers vs. #4 Oklahoma Sooners
It’s tough to knock the Clemson Tigers getting the top seed in this year’s College Football Playoff, as they went a perfect 13-0 on the year and own impressive wins over Notre Dame, Florida State and North Carolina. They’ve had a fantastic run behind dual threat passer Deshaun Watson, who was a Heisman finalist and averaged over 400 total yards per game on the season. Watson will once again be key on December 31st, when the Tigers try to stay undefeated by knocking off Bob Stoops’ Sooners.
As great as Clemson has been, it’d be foolish to over-look Oklahoma, who were a strong 12-1 on the year, with their only loss coming against Texas in a close game. That loss was fairly incriminating in many folk’s minds in regards to Oklahoma not deserving a spot in this tournament, but their 12-1 run still speaks for itself. Any doubt will likely be cast aside in this contest, as a Sooners upset over the perceived best team in the nation would validate them being voted into the College Football Playoff.
That’s not likely to happen, however. Watson is just too big of a force to handle, while Oklahoma has been better known for their elite offense than a studly defense. It’s possibly they could find a way to pull out a win in a shootout, but they’ll definitely be fighting uphill in this one.
Pick: Clemson 40, Oklahoma 31
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. #3 Michigan State Spartans
It’s highly arguable that Alabama is the best team in college football and the favorite to win this tourney, as they own just one loss on the year against a good Ole Miss team (at the time ranked 16th in the nation). Record aside, Alabama is led by one of the greatest coaches in history in Nick Saban and fields a borderline NFL-level defense. They also boast a strong rushing attack led by Heisman-winner, Derrick Henry.
Michigan State is no slouch, though, as they also lost just once in 2015 (a fluky 39-38 loss to conference rivals, Nebraska). Led by quarterback Connor Cook, the Spartans sport a strong offense, but are best known for pulling games out and controlling games at their own desired tempo. Doing either of those things against such a balanced Alabama squad should be too much to ask, however. Ultimately, the Crimson Tide are on a mission and have the better defense. They should move on to the title game.
Pick: Alabama 31, Michigan State 24
We’ll press pause at this point and return at a later date to asses the national championship game. For now, we can all get excited for these two games, the special custom football uniforms being worn just for this tourney, and the potential of an Alabama vs. Clemson title game.
Think the first two games shake down a different way? Let us hear about it in the comments below!
