It's been another long and wonderful college football season, but it's all been nothing but a lead-up to this weekend, where Steve Sarkessian's Alabama Crimson Tide will start its journey towards winning another national championship.
Standing in the Crimson Tide's way, kind of?
Washington- The Huskies are resurgent under Coach Chris Peterson. With QB Jake Browning leading a potent offense that includes demigod WR John Ross, the Huskies and their big play potential probably stand the best chance of taking down the Tide, whose only "weakness" is the secondary. However, Washington has not excelled against good defensive lines this season, which happens to be where Alabama is strongest. Oops.
Ohio State- The youngest team in FBS is the first team to make the CFP without winning its conference. Ohio State relies heavily on the run game and its triple-headed threat of JT Barrett, Curtis Samuel, and Mike Weber. They aren't the most entertaining team to watch (sorry tOSU Gaffers) but they are incredibly efficient. Also, make sure to emphasize the THE in THE Ohio State University when you're drinking and watching the game Saturday. TOSU is very picky about that.
Clemson- You probably know these guys. They lost to Bama last year in the final and are looking for another shot. Deshaun Watson is back, and while he hasn't had the magical season of yesteryear (15 interceptions...) they still have enough firepower to compete with anyone. If turnovers don't do them in first. They're 68th in the country in turnover margin, and that won't cut it against any of these teams.
Playoff Schedule (all games on ESPN)
Saturday, December 31
Peach Bowl- #1 Alabama vs #4 Washington, 3 PM EST
Fiesta Bowl- #2 Clemson vs #3 Ohio State, 7 PM EST
Monday, January 9th
National Championship- #1 Alabama vs #2 Clemson, 8 PM EST
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE
Do you like millennial coaches, possibly insane, with catchy sayings? Sure you do! It's time to row the boat with PJ Fleck and his undefeated MAC champions Western Michigan Broncos, who represent the G5 in this year's New Year's Six. They'll be taking on Big 10 runners-up Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. Oh also, there's a school that harbored a pedophile for decades and still honor one of the men who helped him do it that is playing in the Rose Bowl. But we don't talk about them.
NYS Schedule (note these are out of whack this year because of New Year's falling on a Sunday and the silly NFL)
Friday, December 30
Orange Bowl- #6 Michigan vs #11 Florida State, 8 PM EST
Monday, January 2
Cotton Bowl- #8 Wisconsin vs #15 Western Michigan, 1 PM EST
Rose Bowl- #5 Penn State vs #9 Southern California, 5 PM EST
Sugar Bowl- #7 Oklahoma vs #14 Auburn, 8:30 PM EST
Much thanks to Bill Connelly and his excellent work on SBNation.
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Bowl Pick'Em
