College Football Playoff: Final predictions

By: Joe Smeltzer 
Today is the day. In about an hour, we will know who is in and who is out. So, here is what we think will go down at noon today.

#1: Alabama
Joe/Jeff/Brad/Ryan
No explanation needed. The Tide are a semi-pro team that is playing college football. They have been the most dominant team in America all year, and are clear favorites to win yet another national title.

#2: Clemson (Joe/Jeff) Ohio State (Brad/Ryan)
The Tigers are a lock for the playoffs. They did lose to Pitt, but nonetheless, they have been dominant far more often than not. Clemson is as good as any non-Saban coached team in America, and they deserve this #2 spot.

My cousins Brad and Ryan believe that Ohio State deserves to stay at #2. Yes, the Buckeyes have one of the most impressive resumes in the country, but they did not win their conference, and because of that, I believe they need to drop a few spots if they still are to make the playoff.

#3: Washington (Joe, Brad) Clemson (Ryan) Ohio State (Jeff)
Yes, the Huskies didn't have the toughest schedule in the world. But I feel that they have proven themselves to be a playoff worthy football team. They beat Utah on the road. They dominated a good Washington State team on the road in a rivalry game, and they beat a  good Colorodo team in the PAC 12 title game on Friday. The Huskies came into that PAC 12 title game ranked #4, and I think after that performance, it would be unjust to knock them out of the playoff.

#4: Ohio State (Joe) Clemson (Brad) Washington (Jeff/Ryan)
Regardless of weather or not my Nittany Lions deserve to be in the playoff, I sadly think that Penn State will be left out. Ohio State won a lot of big games, only has 1 loss, and draws a lot of money. Therefore, I don't see the Buckeyes dropping all the way from #2 to #5. I understand that Penn State is the champion of the nations toughest conference. I understand that they beat Ohio State head to head. However, I don't see the committe shutting the Buckeyes out. They have one of the nations sexiest track records, and that is what will get them in.

#5: Penn State
What I said above. I hope to write more about Penn State's situtation in a later post.

#6: Michigan
Michigan is as a good as any team in the country that isn't Alabama. However, they lost to Iowa, and the lost to Ohio State. They did not make the Big 10 title game, and unlike Ohio State, they have as many losses overall as the team that did. So sorry, Michigan. No playoff for you.