2016 College Football Bowl Predictions: Predicting the New Year’s Six Matchups: The 2016 college football season is still more than a month away, but it is never too early to fast forward to the end of the year and predict which teams will earn the coveted spots in the New Year’s Six bowl games, including the four spots in the College Football Playoff. Granted, injuries and upsets can change the picture in a hurry, but in the meantime, here is a closer look at my early college football bowl predictions.
2016-2017 College Football Bowl Predictions: Predicting the New Year’s Six Matchups
Peach Bowl (College Football Semifinal): Clemson Tigers vs. Michigan Wolverines
After coming up just short of a national title last year, I expect Clemson to be back with a vengeance in 2016. More importantly, I don’t see them losing a game with dynamic dual-threat quarterback Deshaun Watson leading what should be one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The Tigers can run the table and enter the College Football as the No. 1 team. I am much less confident about their potential opponent, but Michigan’s defense should be downright nasty. Meanwhile, I trust that Jim Harbaugh will find a serviceable quarterback and turn the Wolverines into one of the most physical teams in the country. With Ohio State and Michigan State rebuilding a bit, Michigan could roll through the Big Ten and in the playoff.
Fiesta Bowl (College Football Semifinal): Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Oklahoma Sooners
A loaded schedule will likely present one hurdle that the Crimson Tide can’t overcome, but the same loaded schedule will allow the defending champs to again make the College Football Playoff as a one-loss team. The Sooners are in a similar situation. Even if Baker Mayfield and company can’t completely run the table, an out-of-conference matchup against Ohio State and a solid Big 12 schedule will still allow Oklahoma to grab a playoff spot with a loss. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff last year, and this year’s team is probably even better.
Orange Bowl: Florida State Seminoles vs. LSU Tigers
I wouldn’t be surprised if Louisville ends up grabbing the ACC’s bid with Clemson occupying a playoff spot, but I’ll give the nod to Florida State. The Seminoles don’t have the quarterback play to take down Clemson, but thanks to an elite defense and running back Dalvin Cook, I still think FSU ends up being the second-best team in the conference. LSU is basically a mirror image of Florida State. Leonard Fournette will head a powerful rushing attack for the Tigers, and there are a bunch of starters back on defense. Quarterback issues will make it tough for LSU to take down Alabama in the SEC, but the Tigers should still be ranked high enough to snag an at-large spot.
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Houston Cougars
Notre Dame was two very close losses to two excellent teams away from an undefeated regular season last year, and the Fighting Irish have two different quarterbacks that could put them back in the mix for a title this year. Plus, you know Notre Dame is going to get the nod from the selection committee as an at-large pick if it is close. Meanwhile, Houston has to be considered the frontrunner to grab the automatic bid as the non-Power 5 team ranked the highest. The Cougars only loss last year came when quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was hurt, and they easily have the best strength of schedule among the top non-Power 5 teams.
Rose Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Stanford Cardinal
Facing a tough schedule just a year after losing a ton of talent to the NFL, I don’t see how the Buckeyes can run the table to make the College Football Playoff. That being said, I don’t expect them to fall far with quarterback J.T. Barrett running the offense. There is no clear No. 1 team in the Pac-12, but Stanford’s power style and muscle in the trenches have allowed them to remain a steady force in the conference. I expect the Cardinal to emerge with the Pac-12 title when all is said and done.
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Tennessee Volunteers
When last season ended, I fully expected the Big 12 to boil down to Oklahoma versus Baylor. However, I can’t see how the Bears stay focused amid the issues the program is facing, and the Cowboys have the offensive firepower to take advantage. I have the Sooners in the College Football Playoff, which leaves their in-state rival to grab the conference’s bid. Along the same lines, I like Tennessee to grab the SEC’s bid since I have the Crimson Tide in the playoff. The Volunteers have a surplus of talent, and while I don’t think they can win the conference, I do think they can win double-digit games and win the SEC East.
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