Playoff Projections

Favorites

Auburn Tigers
The Tigers are the favorites to win the SEC which will get them in the playoffs guaranteed.  It will be tough to get out of the the West, but if they can they'll have another shot at a National Championship.

Alabama Crimson Tide
If Auburn is the favorite in the SEC, Alabama is right behind them. But we know the SEC Champ is a lock, so if they can survive all their personal losses and get Auburn at home we'll see them have a shot.

Oregon Ducks
Winning the Pac 12 won't be enough. The Ducks will need to go undefeated or have just a close loss to a high quality team. Just not Stanford or that could put them behind the Cardinal in their chances.

Oklahoma Sonners
After beating Oklahoma State and Alabama to end the year, the Sooners are the trendy pick. But returning all your key pieces don't hurt either. They lack a good non conference opponent, but being able to get through the Big 12 unscathed will make them very attractive.

Florida State Seminoles
The defending National  Champs are loaded and ready for a back to back titles. The ACC isn't very strong again, but if they do what they did last year (roll through their schedule) they'll be back in.

Michigan State Spartans
If the playoffs were around last year we likely could have seen the Spartans be in. They're my pick to win the Big 10 and that won't do it alone. They'll need only one loss and to look impressive in their victories. Beating Oregon to start the year will do a lot.

Ohio State Buckeyes
They would have been in the National Title Game if they didn't lose to Sparty last season. They are back and have another loaded team. If they can do what they've done the past two years and not trip up in the Big 10 Title game, then they have a great shot.

Contenders

Georgia Bulldogs
Favorites in the East, all the Bulldogs need to do is beat the West team in the SEC Title game and they could find themselves in the title game.  Easier said than done.

Mississippi Rebels
Nobody saw Auburn getting to the title game last year. The Rebels are a team that could really surprise. Beating out Alabama and Auburn to win the SEC will put them into the mix.

South Carolina Gamecocks
Despite not being the favorites the past several years, the Gamecocks have always put themselves in a position to win the East.  Winning the East and then knocking off the West team will look very impressive.

Stanford Cardinal
They might have lost a lot, but what they do is have Oregon's number. Their physical style has given the Ducks fits. If they can pull another "upset" over Oregon and avoid that slip up they have every year, they could sneak into the playoff.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA has really thrived under Jim Mora Jr and with QB Brett Hundley back to start her third season the sky is the limit. They have the team to win the South and knock off Oregon/Stanford. They just have to put it all together.

Baylor Bears
When Art Briles signed his longterm deal that basically meant the Bears will be contenders for a long time. QB Bryce Petty, WR Levi Norwood and RB Shock Linwood give Baylor maybe their best offense yet. The Big 12 isn't in a spot to get two teams in, so they'll have to beat out Oklahoma.

Darkhorses

Wisconsin Badgers
This year's Badger team is a three loss team in most years, but their schedule is just so easy. They play LSU to start the year and if they somehow win that game they could easily be undefeated going into the Big 10 Title game and one win away.

Texas Longhorns
We know Texas has talent on their roster, but have underachieved under Mack Brown the past several years. Now with Charlie Strong running the show we could see a big first season. But they'll need QB David Ash to play lights out. Don't know if that's possible.

Louisville Cardinals
Despite losing only a game last year, the Cardinals didn't get much respect because of their schedule. Now in the ACC they won't have that as much. They lost a ton, but Bobby Petrino knows how to coach and could be the difference in their offense.

Utah State Aggies
It's going to be tough for Utah State to get to the playoffs, but college football is crazy. QB Chuckie Keeton is a stud and an undefeated season could put the pressure to put them in. But their best non conference game is Tennessee which isn't going to impress too many committee members.

Boise State Broncos
For a non Power 5 school to make it to the playoffs they're going to need a perfect storm. Boise State has all that you need. Run the table in the MW, beat Mississippi on the road and BYU at home and it's going to make things tough for the selection committee.

Semi-Final Prediction

#1 Florida State Seminoles vs #4 Oklahoma Sooners

Florida State just has too easy of a road and too talented of a team not to go undefeated. Oklahoma has all the pieces and should be able to win a battle tested Big 12. Oklahoma could pull out an upset here, but Florida State is just too tough to lose this game.

#2 Auburn Tigers vs #3 Oregon Ducks

You win the SEC and you're in.  Auburn is my choice to do that. Oregon is in a simialr spot. The Pac 12 is right here with the SEC and if you win you'll be in too. Look for Oregon to get back into the picture with the best QB in the nation and a coaching staff that has a year under their belt. This will be an epic game, but I see Oregon having more offense than Auburn and enough defense to slow the Tigers rushing attack.

National Championship

#1 Florida State Seminoles vs #3 Oregon Ducks

We almost had a repeat of last year's game, but we'll end up seeing a battle of two of the best quarterbacks in college football.  Florida State has a ton of talent on defense, but they won't see an offense like Oregon all season long. Will they have enough to stick with them all game long?  Does Oregon have enough defense to slow down Jameis Winston and the Seminoles talented offensive line?  Look for the Seminoles to be back to back champions!

National Champs:  Florida State Seminoles