Football is back, as the college season officially kicked off this past weekend with Week 0 games. As we enter the full Week 1 schedule, most teams don’t stand a chance at hearing their names called for the College Football Playoff. Here’s who we think will playing in the 2022 College Football Playoff as well as the New Year’s Six Bowl Games.
College Football Playoff
After a season that featured two newcomers in the CFP – Cincinnati and Michigan – I think we are going to see some of the regular powerhouses back at the top of the list. Alabama is going to be strong, and Ohio State might have the best quarterback in the nation.
I’m predicting a typical year in the CFP with two SEC schools and two blueblood programs in Ohio State and Clemson battling it out for a shot at the championship.
Ohio State is going to have a strong year thanks to the play of QB C.J. Stroud and Clemson isn’t going to have two disappointing seasons in a row under coach Dabo Swinney. This will be a stacked CFP. The two semi-final games will be played at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl with the National Championship being played in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. Here are the four teams I predict will play for the title.
- Ohio State
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Clemson
National Championship
Ohio State vs Alabama
The Tide and the Buckeyes are the two best teams in my opinion. Nick Saban calling last year a “rebuilding year” for the Tide is enough to strike the fear of God into me. I am all-in on Alabama to win another National Title.
New Year’s Six Bowls
That leaves the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl as the four other venues for New Year’s Six games.
Orange Bowl – North Carolina State vs Wisconsin
It’s time for the Badgers to have a good season and the fun for the Wolfpack has only begun. This is a great chance for some national relevance to build for NC State and for Wisconsin, it’s a great chance for another NY6 win under their belt.
Rose Bowl – Utah vs Michigan
I am all in on the Utah Utes this year and another trip to the Rose Bowl should be at the top of their minds after suffering a heartbreaking loss there last season to Ohio State. Michigan can build off a strong season and while I don’t see them beating Ohio State for a second-straight year, this isn’t a bad consolation prize.
Cotton Bowl – Houston vs Michigan State
The Cougars could edge past Cincinnati in 2022 and prove to be the best Group of Five team in the nation. Michigan State is a powerhouse school with coach Mel Tucker leading them and I like their chances of playing in a NY6.
Sugar Bowl – Baylor vs Texas A&M
The Bears are picked to win the Big 12 and I think this is the season that the Aggies take a massive step forward and play on New Year’s Day. Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are a couple other schools that could fit the bill here as well.