2019-2020 College Football Playoff Projections
Peach Bowl – Dec. 28; Atlanta, Ga.; ESPN
Clemson Tigers (ACC Champion) vs. Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten Champion)
The Clemson Tigers get the Texas A&M Aggies and Florida State Seminoles at home. The Syracuse Orange on the road will be their toughest out. So they go undefeated again. Meanwhile, with Urban Meyer gone, Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines will finally win the Big Ten and make the playoff. But they’ll be the fourth seed while Clemson is the top seed, putting this game in Atlanta.
Fiesta Bowl – Dec. 28; Tempe, Ariz.; ESPN
Oklahoma Sooners (Big 12 Champion) vs. Florida Gators (SEC Champion)
Once again, the Oklahoma Sooners will be back with an elite quarterback for the third college football season in a row. It’ll be enough for them to win the Big 12 yet again. Meanwhile, the Florida Gators breaking through and winning the SEC under Dan Mullen will put them in the playoff as well. These will be the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, so they’ll face off in the Fiesta Bowl.
National Championship – Jan. 13; New Orleans, La.; 8 p.m. ESPN
Clemson Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Yes, Michigan’s College Football Playoff appearance will be short lived. They are no match for the speed and athleticism of Clemson, so that game will be a blowout, the same way every Big Ten loss is in the playoff. However, Florida and Oklahoma will be a thrilling game. But Jalen Hurts will exact revenge on another SEC school in a thriller.
National Champions: Oklahoma Sooners
This may be a surprise, but the Oklahoma Sooners have been knocking on the door the last two years. Once again, they have a dual-threat quarterback who should allow Lincoln Riley’s system to continue the way it’s been doing. There’s no reason to see a drop-off on offense. Meanwhile, defense should take a huge stride with Alex Grinch in at defensive coordinator.
Ranked in the top 15 in returning production on defense plus having a better coordinator will make it respectable enough. Hurts will keep the firepower on offense. The combination will earn Oklahoma the national title this college football season, and Riley will become a household name within the sport.