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Post by EvilVodka on Apr 20, 2018 20:26:59 GMT
Here is my unnaturally early 2018 Playoff picks:
1. Clemson 2. Auburn 3. TCU 4. Alabama
Very similar to last year...except TCU replaces Mayfield-less OU, and Auburn wins the SEC this year and replaces Georgia. Clemson will dominate all year and be the #1 seed again, where they will once again play a 1-loss Alabama team. Except they will win Alabama-Clemson IV.
I like both Texas and TCU in the Big XII, but I think if TCU gets over the Ohio State hump, that will propel them towards a great season in the Big XII, which should be up for grabs this year.
I think Ohio State will be in the hunt, but probably have a 2-loss season. I think the Big 10 will be loaded, but eat itself and have a 2-loss Champ.
The PAC 12 has slipped into mediocrity, but I think Washington will win the championship, and could slip into the playoffs with a little luck.
Besides Ohio State, the other real contenders are Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia. Georgia was a little overrated last year IMO...can they continue to get better? The SEC is a lot weaker than it used to be, so I think the winner of the Alabama-Auburn-Georgia games will likely emerge as SEC Champ with a secure playoff spot.
Alabama is Alabama and they just don't have enough good teams on their schedule to worry about much...their schedule is a sleep walk until LSU and Auburn
Clemson has an early test against Jimbo Fisher A&M, and then the dreaded road game against FSU (I know Tiger fans fear the spear), but no Virginia Tech or Miami on the schedule
How does the playoff unfold?
Clemson beats Bama Auburn beats TCU Clemson beats Auburn
Tigers win their 2nd Natty in 3 years
Same ole college football, different year...
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Post by Hero on Apr 22, 2018 9:12:54 GMT
Auburn’s Defense should be as good as any in the nation. The offense is not ready for prime time.
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Post by tigercpa on Apr 22, 2018 11:40:22 GMT
Clemson finds itself in the midst of a QB "controversy." Clemson has 3 5* QBs on the roster.
So here’s my knee-jerk reaction: it seems apparent the Lawrence era will begin sooner rather than later. But once it does, I think Bryant can have a role in short yardage and red zone sets, like Tyrone Swoopes at Texas a few years ago. Two areas in which the Clemson offense was deceptively good a year ago were in short yardage and especially red zone touchdown rate, due in large part to Bryant running QB counter so well when tough yards were needed.
As expected, incoming FR QB Trevor Lawrence - who broke all of Deshaun Watson's GA HS records impressed in the spring game. He threw a 50-yd beautiful bomb to Soph WR Tee Higgins. That combination should drive defensive coordinators crazy for the next 2 years.
He can sling the ball from the pocket, or on the run. He draws comparisons to both DW4 and Lamar Jackson. He also draws comparisons to FSU's Blackmon (in term s of physicals) Blackmon was listed 6-5, 175 as a FR, but Lawrence is already 6-5, 205 and his legs are already filled out....which matters for a QB because you get all of your power for long throws from your base.
Lawrence has "it". That pocket presence and he knows where people are on the field, like DW4.
Note to Houston Texans: Please invest heavily in your OL next weekend.
Dabo let Christian Wilkins (DT) play some time at safety (a 320 lb safety??) and he made a couple of great plays, including breaking up a jet sweep.
The ceiling for this team with Bryant at QB is probably 12-13 wins, but with Lawrence, it's 14-15 wins.
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Post by kentflash_05 on Apr 24, 2018 13:33:36 GMT
I think it will be 1) Clemson 2) Alabama 3) Ohio State 4) Penn State
-If Washington beats Auburn early in the year....a 1 loss Washington will be in -I think the Big 12 eats itself up& the national media remembers the Big Ten's Bowl season - I think the Big Ten East is awesome this year, and the Big Ten might be the best conference overall in the nation.....I think Penn State gets Ohio State, I think Michigan State gets Penn State, and Ohio State tags Michigan State....I think we're in the same type of quandary we were last, but do to the Big Ten's strong bowl season and what I believe will be a strong OOC season they'll get the nod this year.
The Winner of TCU-Ohio State is in.......I'm going with Ohio State, because they have more overall talent and I think they are slightly the better team, and I'm a homer, but that will be a fight in Dallas.
The Washington-Auburn early game is also huge....If Washington essentially plays a road game and beats Auburn, with one loss they should be in the Playoff. -I think Clemson will make the Playoff, but I also think the A&M game is very very dangerous.....I think Texas A&M is will be greatly improved and could be a sleeper.
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Post by tigercpa on Apr 24, 2018 15:06:09 GMT
I think a lot of questions for both FSU and A&M. Both switching coaches and style of play.
FSU's poor, overweight OL switching from run heavy to more spread / HUNH doesn't seem to bode well. Even if he’s only slightly faster than Jimbo it will be an improvement. FSU under Jimbo was one of the slowest teams in the nation.
Likewise at A&M, with Jimbo coming in and switching to more of a pro set. Clemson travels to College Station week 2.
Our 2 toughest opponents are undergoing coaching changes and major switches in offense.
Clemson should be the class of the ACC....both NCST and Louisville both missed their best chances to knock off the Tigers and they know it.
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Post by ajbuckeye on Apr 24, 2018 17:18:30 GMT
Here is my unnaturally early 2018 Playoff picks: 1. Clemson 2. Auburn 3. TCU 4. Alabama Very similar to last year...except TCU replaces Mayfield-less OU, and Auburn wins the SEC this year and replaces Georgia. Clemson will dominate all year and be the #1 seed again, where they will once again play a 1-loss Alabama team. Except they will win Alabama-Clemson IV. I like both Texas and TCU in the Big XII, but I think if TCU gets over the Ohio State hump, that will propel them towards a great season in the Big XII, which should be up for grabs this year. I think Ohio State will be in the hunt, but probably have a 2-loss season. I think the Big 10 will be loaded, but eat itself and have a 2-loss Champ. The PAC 12 has slipped into mediocrity, but I think Washington will win the championship, and could slip into the playoffs with a little luck. Besides Ohio State, the other real contenders are Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia. Georgia was a little overrated last year IMO...can they continue to get better? The SEC is a lot weaker than it used to be, so I think the winner of the Alabama-Auburn-Georgia games will likely emerge as SEC Champ with a secure playoff spot. Alabama is Alabama and they just don't have enough good teams on their schedule to worry about much...their schedule is a sleep walk until LSU and Auburn Clemson has an early test against Jimbo Fisher A&M, and then the dreaded road game against FSU (I know Tiger fans fear the spear), but no Virginia Tech or Miami on the schedule How does the playoff unfold? Clemson beats Bama Auburn beats TCU Clemson beats Auburn Tigers win their 2nd Natty in 3 years Same ole college football, different year... If the SEC gets 2 in and the BIG get left out then I would fully expect the BIG to lobby for some real changes, especially if it is controversial like last year.
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Post by kentflash_05 on Apr 24, 2018 17:33:15 GMT
Here is my unnaturally early 2018 Playoff picks: 1. Clemson 2. Auburn 3. TCU 4. Alabama Very similar to last year...except TCU replaces Mayfield-less OU, and Auburn wins the SEC this year and replaces Georgia. Clemson will dominate all year and be the #1 seed again, where they will once again play a 1-loss Alabama team. Except they will win Alabama-Clemson IV. I like both Texas and TCU in the Big XII, but I think if TCU gets over the Ohio State hump, that will propel them towards a great season in the Big XII, which should be up for grabs this year. I think Ohio State will be in the hunt, but probably have a 2-loss season. I think the Big 10 will be loaded, but eat itself and have a 2-loss Champ. The PAC 12 has slipped into mediocrity, but I think Washington will win the championship, and could slip into the playoffs with a little luck. Besides Ohio State, the other real contenders are Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia. Georgia was a little overrated last year IMO...can they continue to get better? The SEC is a lot weaker than it used to be, so I think the winner of the Alabama-Auburn-Georgia games will likely emerge as SEC Champ with a secure playoff spot. Alabama is Alabama and they just don't have enough good teams on their schedule to worry about much...their schedule is a sleep walk until LSU and Auburn Clemson has an early test against Jimbo Fisher A&M, and then the dreaded road game against FSU (I know Tiger fans fear the spear), but no Virginia Tech or Miami on the schedule How does the playoff unfold? Clemson beats Bama Auburn beats TCU Clemson beats Auburn Tigers win their 2nd Natty in 3 years Same ole college football, different year... If the SEC gets 2 in and the BIG get left out then I would fully expect the BIG to lobby for some real changes, especially if it is controversial like last year. I cannot see the SEC getting two in again, I really can't even though Alabama won the national title. There was to much controversy and the Big Ten as a whole performed to well in bowl season to potentially leave the league champion of the potentially best league out for the second consecutive season. The only way I see the Big Ten getting left out really again is if Ohio State slips up against TCU, and wins the Big 10......and Alabama just mauls everyone and loses the SEC title game, you'll have the exact same argument, but I think it would go the other way this time...because many people were complaining you'd be making Conference Championships meaningless. I don't see it happening, but it doesn't mean it wont
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Post by Hero on Apr 25, 2018 11:41:28 GMT
If the SEC gets 2 in and the BIG get left out then I would fully expect the BIG to lobby for some real changes, especially if it is controversial like last year. I cannot see the SEC getting two in again, I really can't even though Alabama won the national title. There was to much controversy and the Big Ten as a whole performed to well in bowl season to potentially leave the league champion of the potentially best league out for the second consecutive season. The only way I see the Big Ten getting left out really again is if Ohio State slips up against TCU, and wins the Big 10......and Alabama just mauls everyone and loses the SEC title game, you'll have the exact same argument, but I think it would go the other way this time...because many people were complaining you'd be making Conference Championships meaningless. I don't see it happening, but it doesn't mean it wont With a four team playoff CChampionships are meaningless. At least one CChamp is left out every year. I don’t remember OSU Fans Being upset when Penn State was passed over.
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Post by kentflash_05 on Apr 25, 2018 12:01:47 GMT
I cannot see the SEC getting two in again, I really can't even though Alabama won the national title. There was to much controversy and the Big Ten as a whole performed to well in bowl season to potentially leave the league champion of the potentially best league out for the second consecutive season. The only way I see the Big Ten getting left out really again is if Ohio State slips up against TCU, and wins the Big 10......and Alabama just mauls everyone and loses the SEC title game, you'll have the exact same argument, but I think it would go the other way this time...because many people were complaining you'd be making Conference Championships meaningless. I don't see it happening, but it doesn't mean it wont With a four team playoff CChampionships are meaningless. At least one CChamp is left out every year. I don’t remember OSU Fans Being upset when Penn State was passed over. I get what you're saying, real championships also have standard qualifications for making the playoffs. In Baseball it's winning your division or winning the wild card, in Football it's the same, in basketball it's the same....what is it in College Football? The last two years.....and I'm including the year Ohio State made it....SHOULD be exceptions rather than the norm. There is virtually no way I see the SEC getting two teams again, because it was 50/50 last year, even though 'Bama did win it. I was iffy about picking Penn State in my projections, but that's only because I think the other conferences will eat each other up.....I've seen most publications ranking the Big Ten East as the best division......if they are indeed the best division in football, how could you justify a legitimate championship.....by leaving them out two years in a row? I'm telling you right now whether Bama or Georgia....they are gonna have to look extraordinary to steal a second big from a conference for the second year in a row.
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Post by kentflash_05 on Apr 25, 2018 12:07:10 GMT
Basically even though I predicted it, if Washington beats Auburn they should be in, in my projections over Ohio State or Penn State, I would probably put them in over Penn State due to the OOC schedule and if Ohio State beats TCU, over Penn State beating Pitt. Right now I have Auburn beating Washington, as long as we have a four team playoff two teams should be the exception rather the rule.
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Post by ajbuckeye on Apr 25, 2018 12:49:56 GMT
I cannot see the SEC getting two in again, I really can't even though Alabama won the national title. There was to much controversy and the Big Ten as a whole performed to well in bowl season to potentially leave the league champion of the potentially best league out for the second consecutive season. The only way I see the Big Ten getting left out really again is if Ohio State slips up against TCU, and wins the Big 10......and Alabama just mauls everyone and loses the SEC title game, you'll have the exact same argument, but I think it would go the other way this time...because many people were complaining you'd be making Conference Championships meaningless. I don't see it happening, but it doesn't mean it wont With a four team playoff CChampionships are meaningless. At least one CChamp is left out every year. I don’t remember OSU Fans Being upset when Penn State was passed over. There were some clear differences when tOSU made it as they had 4 wins vs top 8 teams and PSU had I think just 1 top 25 win. Last year BAMA had 2 wins vs teams at 17 and 23 and tOSU had wins against 6, 9,and 16. The selection committee has set a precedence that having an additional loss weighs heavy and that winning a conference title is not enough to offset that. Unfortunately for UCF the committee opted to throw this logic out the window as they had 2 wins over 20 and 20 where BAMA had wins of 17 and 23 with a loss to 7. BAMA had one additional loss and UCF won a conference championship but apparently these rules no longer apply. Considering that UCF beat the team that beat both the teams that were in the CFP final adds some justification to that banner hanging in their stadium. Attachments:
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Post by Kentflash_05 on Apr 25, 2018 13:02:40 GMT
With a four team playoff CChampionships are meaningless. At least one CChamp is left out every year. I don’t remember OSU Fans Being upset when Penn State was passed over. There were some clear differences when tOSU made it as they had 4 wins vs top 8 teams and PSU had I think just 1 top 25 win. Last year BAMA had 2 wins vs teams at 17 and 23 and tOSU had wins against 6, 9,and 16. The selection committee has set a precedence that having an additional loss weighs heavy and that winning a conference title is not enough to offset that. Unfortunately for UCF the committee opted to throw this logic out the window as they had 2 wins over 20 and 20 where BAMA had wins of 17 and 23 with a loss to 7. BAMA had one additional loss and UCF won a conference championship but apparently these rules no longer apply. Considering that UCF beat the team that beat both the teams that were in the CFP final adds some justification to that banner hanging in their stadium. I have little problem with Bama making the problem last year, or Ohio State the year before that should be the exception rather than the rule. You make a good point about UCF though..... my point is every sport that has a championship has set standards for competeting for the championship....CFB doesnt have those. I love the sport and absolutely believe we are going in the right direction...... but if 2 SEC teams are gonna make it every year we have a problem. If conferences especially the stronger conferences are gonna get penalized we have a problem, especially with only 4 teams. Who knows too, maybe UCF pulls two upsets if they are given a chance.....i personally dont think they do but maybe.
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Post by Hero on Apr 25, 2018 14:09:50 GMT
With a four team playoff CChampionships are meaningless. At least one CChamp is left out every year. I don’t remember OSU Fans Being upset when Penn State was passed over. There were some clear differences when tOSU made it as they had 4 wins vs top 8 teams and PSU had I think just 1 top 25 win. Who was PSU's win against?
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Post by Hero on Apr 25, 2018 14:16:26 GMT
There were some clear differences when tOSU made it as they had 4 wins vs top 8 teams and PSU had I think just 1 top 25 win. Last year BAMA had 2 wins vs teams at 17 and 23 and tOSU had wins against 6, 9,and 16. The selection committee has set a precedence that having an additional loss weighs heavy and that winning a conference title is not enough to offset that. Unfortunately for UCF the committee opted to throw this logic out the window as they had 2 wins over 20 and 20 where BAMA had wins of 17 and 23 with a loss to 7. BAMA had one additional loss and UCF won a conference championship but apparently these rules no longer apply. Considering that UCF beat the team that beat both the teams that were in the CFP final adds some justification to that banner hanging in their stadium. I have little problem with Bama making the problem last year, or Ohio State the year before that should be the exception rather than the rule. You make a good point about UCF though..... my point is every sport that has a championship has set standards for competeting for the championship....CFB doesnt have those. I love the sport and absolutely believe we are going in the right direction...... but if 2 SEC teams are gonna make it every year we have a problem. If conferences especially the stronger conferences are gonna get penalized we have a problem, especially with only 4 teams. Who knows too, maybe UCF pulls two upsets if they are given a chance.....i personally dont think they do but maybe. I have said eight from the beginning and that would have included all 5 Champs plus UCF, Wisconsin and BAMA.
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Post by Bevo on Apr 26, 2018 14:00:10 GMT
There were some clear differences when tOSU made it as they had 4 wins vs top 8 teams and PSU had I think just 1 top 25 win. Who was PSU's win against? No need to bicker and argue about who beat who....
Who brings the biggest TV audience to the CFP? That's all that matters.
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