Final Regular Season Standings
1. Draper (51-17, 3-11 upset)
2. Schweinfurth (48-20, 0-14 upset)
3. Seeberg (47-21, 6-8 upset)
4. Hoying (44-24, 2-12 upset)
Bowl Standings Through December 28
1. Draper (18-7)
1. Hoying (18-7)
3. Schweinfurth (14-11)
3. Seeberg (14-11)
Play us off, Jim Mora.
Fiesta Bowl: Washington Huskies vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Draper: This is an interesting matchup because no one really knows anything about Washington. Jake Browning is really good when he's on, but has shown consistency issues. I've heard a lot of talk about the Husky defense, but McSorley and Barkley have the talent to overmatch them. I find it hilarious that Saquon says he hasn't decided about the next level yet (psst...he's going pro--or he's really dumb). This is a 'motivation' type bowl. If the Lions show up sorry for themselves thinking about what could have been, the purple and gold will be celebrating. However, I think Franklin will get a little pride out of the Lions and they'll play for a Fiesta Bowl win and a top 10 finish. Lions force bad Jake Browning and take care of business. UW: 17--PSU: 27
Hoying: I don't think I've watched 5 minutes of Washington football this season. They were exposed as a playoff pretender last year against Alabama and then just kind of existed in a terrible Pac-12 this year until Stanford pulled the rug out from under them. Across the country, Penn State is possibly even better than last year's Rose Bowl runner-up, losing 2 road games to 2 ranked opponents by a combined 4 points. Saquon is looking to make one more impression before bolting to the NFL, and I just don't think Washington is tough enough to handle a punishing Lion attack on both sides of the ball. Another year for Penn State fans to wonder "what if?". Heh. UW: 20--PSU: 30
Schweinfurth: Interesting that there are two Pac-12/B1G matchups this year. Did anyone really look at this game and say, "I have to watch this?" I know I didn't. I actually forgot this game existed this year (probably because I don't care about the Kitties outside of their annual beating from OSU). Chris Peterson always gets his teams up for the Fiesta Bowl (just ask Oklahoma and TCU). I think it helps the Huskies' case that Saquan Barkley has one eye on the NFL. I'm not sold on Penn State and Trace McSorely plays "500" way too often with his receivers. Not a total blowout, but still a "meh" game to me. UW: 35--PSU: 21
Seeberg: Making these picks after a handful of bowls have already been played lends us some important additional information. Trying not to read too much into things, but the B1G is 3-0 thus far this bowl season. Heck, even Purdue managed to win their bowl game over a more highly touted Pac-12 Arizona team, which provides even more credence to my pick here. I really have a hard time envisioning the Huskies stopping Barkley and Co. often enough to stay in this game. The Nittanys are less than a touchdown from being undefeated this year, and they should pull away from U-Dub in the second half. UW: 20--PSU: 38
Orange Bowl: Miami Hurricanes vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Draper: One thing not being mentioned is that da U is playing at home which is an odd fluke of the bowl season. Even with that, Wisconsin travels pretty well and should make the dichotomous crowd about 50-50. Miami simply lived and died by the turnover all year, and I don't know if that's enough versus a blue-collar no nonsense Badger squad. If the Badgers get Taylor and the ground game going, good things will happen for the B1G. If Hornibrook has to win it...eeeeeehhhh...the turnover chain might be doing some work. My guess is that there is simply too many injuries on the Cane side to take advantage. The Chain shows up, but Bucky takes the (extremely boring) game. UM: 10 -- UW: 20
Hoying: So now that we've seen them in action against a real live opponent, what do we know about Wisconsin? They are sloooooowwwww. The Buckeyes burned them early for three long TDs (give or take a yard) before misfiring on a couple of other opportunities that could've put the game out of reach in the first half. Wisconsin was opportunistic enough on defense to stay in the game, but that shtick isn't going to work against the Turnover Chain (TM). Miami is battle tested, and while Clemson was a bit too much to handle, they've already played one team that likes to run and gets in trouble when it tries to throw (hi, ND) and had their way with them. In Hard Rock Stadium. It's like poetry, so that they rhyme. UM: 24--UW: 17
Schweinfurth: One team wins by the skin of their teeth and the other grinds the other team to dust. Miami has been very, very lucky this year until the last two games of the season. I'm not sold on them as a top team. Wisconsin is every bit a good team and that defense is nasty in the second half, but it can be beat over the top. Miami had trouble with Clemson's attacking defensive play and the Badgers are similar. This game will be peak Wisconsin. UM: 17--Wisc: 21
Seeberg: Well, Miami went all last-decade Georgia Bulldogs on us at the end of the season. Might not be a coincidence given, you know, the same head coach and all. Wisconsin, meanwhile, looked competent against OSU, losing only by 6, though the Buckeyes shot themselves in the foot a ton...again. If the game is within a score at the half, Wisconsin has the horses to grind down a deflated Hurricane squad. Given how close the B1G championship game was to getting ugly early, the Badgers will be more guarded against that this time, and the Hurricanes will be pounded into submission late. UM: 16--Wisc: 24
Peach Bowl: Central Florida Knights vs. Auburn Tigers
Draper: It's all about who wants to be there...but Auburn is WAAAAAAAAAAY better than UCF. Scott Frost is coaching the Golden Knights, but I don't think his heart is in it. The Tigers are really bummed, but a big win in the Peach Bowl will keep them in the top 10. War Eagle musters enough pride to not lose to a Group of Five team and the last perfect season comes to an end. Jarrett Stidham and Kerryon Johnson will be too much with the big uglies leading the way. I don't see the Knights being able to stop the Malzahn offense. UCF: 17 -- Aub: 38
Hoying: Where are these teams' heads? Are Auburn's stuck in the stadium they'll be visiting this Monday, but a month in the past, where their shot at playoff glory died at Georgia's hands? Are UCF's torn between the past on its way to Lincoln and the future swooping in from Columbia? Can anyone stop UCF's offense? What about the team that held Alabama to 14 points and generally pounded them into dust? I don't know the answers to these questions, but my guess is that Auburn will be just deflated enough to make this game interesting, but just talented enough to make a big stop late to preserve a win. UCF: 27--Aub: 28
Schweinfurth: I'll be brief on this one. Teams they lose a head coach before a bowl game tend to struggle, there is just much going on. Auburn's defense is just down right nasty. I'll roll with the Tigers. UCF: 13--Aub: 28
Seeberg: Pretty much all you need to know about Auburn's chances is whether or not Kerryon Johnson is going to play. He is. Bad news for this year's group of 5 hopeful. UCF can certainly score, but it's tough to envision a track meet here given that the mighty(?) Alabama offense managed just 14 against Auburn. I expect UCF to scheme their way to some early scores, but the Tigers' superior horses eventually rule the day. UCF: 17--Aub: 34
Rose Bowl: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: Perhaps the best game of the bowl season is in the Grandaddy of them All. I was shocked to hear that UGA and OU have NEVER played before. Honestly, the offense in the crimson and cream is fantastic led by the runaway Heisman winner, but the defense is what some may call poo. Georgia has very good defense led by Roquan Smith and a running game that just smashes you in the mouth with Chubb, Michel, and Swift. While OU is the flash, I lean a little to the Dawgs with a nasty D and blue collar running attack. The Sooners have the flash, but Georgia has the smash. I'm going with the Dawgs to slow down the Sooners and dominate the time of possession to shorten the game. UGA: 27 -- OU: 24
Hoying: Do you know how many teams have stopped this OU offense this year? Well, none, although Ohio State was able to contain them for the first half, and Texas was able to stop them for the second. Can Georgia fare any better? You saw what they did to Auburn in Atlanta after getting embarrassed the first time around. You saw what they did to Notre Dame and Mississippi State. But they haven't seen an offense like Oklahoma's. The Buckeyes provided a blueprint for slowing Mayfield down (provided you have better linebackers than OSU does) but his powers have only increased since September. Much is being made of the factoid that Oklahoma's defense is the only Flacco-level non-elite squad on either side of the ball for all 4 playoff teams. I'll see that and raise you Georgia's freshman QB, Jake Fromm, who's long overdue for a few freshman moments to gack a game away. A true freshman QB hasn't won a national championship since Jamelle Holieway did it way back in 1985 for...the Oklahoma Sooners. Expect that streak to continue with any suspense ending a week early. UGA: 24--OU: 34
Schweinfurth: Can Georgia get pressure on Baker Mayfield? The answer to that question will decide this game. The Sooner offensive line is one of, if not the best offensive lines in the country. Kirby Smart has turned this Bulldog defense into a nasty, physical, attack monster. Add that to a tough ground and pound offense and now we have a game. Ohio State has one of the best defensive lines in the country and could barely touch Mayfield all night. Not sure if Georgia will get to him either. UGA: 28--OU: 35
Seeberg: The question here is whether or not Baker Mayfield avoids the dreaded Heisman jinx. We all know OU can score it with anyone, but even their defense has looked...competent-ish the last month or so of the season. That is a good enough recipe to get by this Georgia team that only got into the playoff thanks to Kerryon Johnson being far less than 100% in the SEC title game. IF Georgia runs it well they have a chance in this one, but once the Sooners go up 10+, that plan is out the window late. Boomer Sooner. UGA: 27--OU: 38
Sugar Bowl: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Clemson Tigers
Draper: Another fantastic matchup (have I used that word enough here). I don't like what the committee did with Alabama in the playoff because they haven't proven it on the field which I believe should be the primary criterion. I do think I've figured out the only criterion that matters: Be in a power five conference and don't lose (or lose fewer than others). That's it. OK, back to the game. I do think that Clemson has the better talent and has beaten teams with a pulse this year and I think that will make the difference. Bryant and Etienne are very good, and should be able to spread the solid Bama D out enough to weaken them. Hurts is very good, but if the Tigers can slow down Scarborough and cover Ridley, Dabo will take round 3. A Nick Saban led team with a chip on their shoulder scares me, but Clemson has a more cohesive unit. Bama: 17 -- Clem: 24
Hoying: As I was filling out my bowl picks this year, this was the only one I had to stop and consider for more than 10 seconds. Can Clemson really compete for another national title without Deshaun Watson, a generational talent at QB (although Tajh Boyd was no slouch either...grrr)? Maybe. Maybe Clemson's not quite as good as it was last year. But Alabama DEFINITELY isn't. In their last 4 games, the Tide have (i) been outgained (LSU), (ii) trailed into the 4th quarter (MSU), (iii) been essentially run out of the building (Auburn), and (iv) played a paycheck game (Mercer). Not sure what about that screams "playoff resume," but the Committee needed a 4th team and there wasn't another great option. Despite these troubles, Alabama still has the nation's top scoring defense, but Clemson's right there at #2, having played real live offenses like, well, Auburn, for starters. As long as the Tigers blanket Calvin Ridley all game, they should be fine. For now. Bama: 20--Clem: 21
Schweinfurth: Let's get this out of the way, Alabama does not deserve to be here. I thought the argument for this spot was between USC and OSU...but anyway. Alabama is going to get smoked. There I said it. Clemson had one hiccup against Syracuse and their QB got hurt. All the while, that Tiger defense just crushed opponents. Alabama is beat up and I don't trust Jalyn Hurts throwing the ball. Sorry Little Nicky, but no revenge this year. Bama: 10--Clem: 35
Seeberg: Make no mistake about it kids, these teams are NOT the vaunted juggernauts that have met in back-to-back title games. Clemson is a near unanimous #1 and they have a loss to Syracuse on their resume. Backup QB or not that's just berserk. Alabama, meanwhile, coasted through a down SEC with big wins over...um...uh...still loading. That was all before hitting their usual stumbling block across the state in Auburn. I understand why both teams are in the playoff, but in previous years both of these squads would be out of the top 10. Just a lot of flawed programs this season. In any event, this 'Bama squad seems to be less adept at getting out of its own way than usual, and mistakes are magnified exponentially against better opponents in big games. I expect Clemson to play just a little bit cleaner which will ultimately prove the difference. It won't be the prettiest football to watch either, but Clemson makes a 3rd straight trip to the title game. Bama: 23--Clem: 27
Cotton Bowl: USC Trojans vs. THE Ohio State University Buckeyes.
Draper: While it's been said a million times, this could have easily been a playoff game. Will the Buckeyes care after the disappointment of being left out of the playoffs? I think so. There is a ton of youth on the Buckeye squad and the future is bright. For me, this game is all about JT Barrett and a final farewell. While the fans in Columbus don't respect what he's done enough, the team would run through a wall for their captain, and they want to send him out on top. I really don't expect Darnold's head to be completely in the game with the draft looming on the horizon. In addition, the Bucks defensive line causes nightmares for any opposing QB and will force questionable throws and hopefully some interceptions. JK Dobbins and Weber versus Ronald Jones might be the biggest measuring stick. I like the Buckeye run D more than the SC run D and that's the game. JT goes for 100 on the ground, 200 through the air and 4 total TDs. Buckeyes take care of business and prepare for another title run in 2018. USC: 31 -- OSU: 45
Hoying: I LOVE this matchup. These teams have met 23 times, including 7 Rose Bowls, with USC currently on a 7 (!) game winning streak. The Buckeyes have beaten the Trojans twice on the way to national titles (1955 and 1969 Rose Bowls) with USC returning the favor twice (1973 and 1975 Rose Bowls). Remember those recent painful home losses to Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, and Texas? Well, USC is the last team to win both games of a home-and-home against the Buckeyes, in 2008-09. The second last team? USC again, in 1989-90! The 2009 USC game is still the most amped I've ever heard Ohio Stadium, and you could feel the deathly silence of 100,000 hearts crushed when Stafon Johnson crossed the goal line with a minute to go. But enough of the history lesson, what should we expect this time? Points, and a lot of them, at least from the Scarlet and Gray. The Trojan defense has only held two opponents below 20 points this season, and one of them was 1-11 Oregon State (who still reached double digits). USC did slow down busted Bryce Love and the Stanford attack, but Notre Dame ran through them like the proverbial tin horn. And neither of those teams had Just Touchdowns Barrett slinging the rock either. The only question mark in this game is the OSU defense's back 7. We know Darnold has the ability to pick a defense apart on a good day, so it'll be up to Greg "Apparently-Not-As-Desirable-As-The-Next-Mini-Saban-Who's-Going-To-Totally-Crash-And-Burn-As-An-SEC-Head-Coach" Schiano to earn his pay scheming the defense away from TE and FB mismatches. The good news is that USC doesn't really throw to the TE that often (sounds like another team I know), so just hope that Arnette and Sheffield don't crap the bed and Darnold keeps stupidly throwing at Ward for some reason, and that the DLine dials up the pressure in the backfield. Buckeyes win to cap a great, yet oddly forgettable, season (hello, 2009). USC: 24--OSU: 38
Schweinfurth: I really hope I get to watch this game. Outside of the traditional Rose Bowl match up, (yes this is the Cotton Bowl, you know what I mean) this could easily be the #4 vs. #5 play in game for the playoff. Clay Helton has USC back to relevancy after years of mediocrity (which I enjoyed). I am just not sure they are ready for a pissed off Buckeye team. The last time Ohio State was this mad, they destroyed TTUN and then eviscerated Notre Dame. Want to see fireworks, make the Buckeyes mad. This is JT's swan song and I expect good JT to show up in front of friends and family. Bucks win a close one. The 40+ years of misery are over. USC: 21--OSU: 24
Seeberg: Man, it is so bizarre to see this matchup in anything other than the Rose Bowl. Such is our reality in 2017. USC, as usual, is chock full of talent, but oddly doesn't really boast any wins over quality opponents not named Stanford. Most troubling for the Men of Troy is the absolute thrashing they took at the hands of Notre Dame- a team that spreads you out to run the ball...WITH RUNNING BACKS (hint hint, Urban). Darnold was a turnover machine early in the year, but has calmed down on the back half of the season as he saw millions of future dollars fluttering away from his bank account with each forced INT. USC also has a very good, experienced RB in Ronald Jones, but ball control isn't exactly USC's forte, so shortening the game isn't an option. The 7-game winning streak USC is currently on against the Buckeyes is maddening, but nobody at either program now was around for the last time USC won an infuriating 18-15 Tressel-ball game. Last and most certainly not least, Joe. Thomas. Barrett. I still shake my head at the amount of talk there was about benching him earlier this year. Ludicrous at best. I want to see Dobbins and Weber romp and stomp over USC all night, but what I secretly hope is that Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson have concocted some brilliant throwing scheme and J.T. goes for 400+ and 4 TDs to FINALLY shut some people up. Regardless of how it happens, let's get that monkey off our collective backs and look forward to a fun 2018 season. Go Bucks. USC: 24--OSU: 42
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