College Football Playoff and NY6 Preview and Predictions

 

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After a crazy, unpredictable, and sometimes flat out strange College Football season, we have against all odds arrived at bowl season. Despite the ongoing pandemic, many cancellations, and some extremely inconsistent conference scheduling, the committee has chosen the matchups for the playoff semifinals and the New Year's Six bowls. Some may be controversial, and a few are much more interesting than other, but I'm honestly just happy that we have some college football to open up what should hopefully be a better 2021.

NEW YEAR'S SIX BOWLS

Cotton Bowl Classic

Oklahoma vs Florida

12/30/2020, 8PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Florida

Oklahoma won the Big 12 almost be process of elimination, while Florida limped into the SEC Championship game after a backbreaking loss to LSU in the fog. Should be an intriguing matchup, but Florida has the talent edge and should bounce back with a win here. 

Peach Bowl

Cincinnati vs Georgia

1/1/2021, 12PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Cincinnati 

Cincinnati's high-flying offense makes mixed with Georgia's suffocating defense should make this one of the more fun bowls to watch. Cincinnati skated through the AAC easily, while Georgia has looked flat at points this year and is dealing with a new rash of COVID cases. It won't be easy for the Bearcats, but they should eke out a win over the Bulldogs. 

Orange Bowl

Oregon vs Iowa State

1/2/2021, 4PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Iowa State

Second place in a weak Big 12 meets the surprise Pac-12 champion. Neither team is particularly impressive, and both have had some very questionable performances this year, with Oregon having only played six games. The game itself may not be too interesting, but expect Iowa State to cover here.

Fiesta Bowl

Texas A&M vs North Carolina

1/2/2021, 8PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Texas A&M

North Carolina's offense has looked absolutely potent over the past few games, but the Tar Heels have yet to prove they can hang with Clemson in the ACC. The Aggies meanwhile were passed over for a playoff spot for Notre Dame, and should be playing with a chip on their shoulder to prove the committee wrong. A&M should roll this game, bit expect both schools to contend in the near future.

CFP SEMIFINALS

Rose Bowl

#1 Alabama vs #4 Notre Dame

1/1/2021, 4PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Alabama

Notre Dame's defining moments this year have been narrowly defeating a weakened Clemson team and being destroyed by that same Clemson team at full strength. The Irish have talent, but it's not going be enough to take down the Tide juggernaut.

Sugar Bowl

#2 Clemson vs #3 Ohio State

1/1/2021, 8PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Ohio State

Clemson is an extremely talented and competitive team, there's not doubt about that. But I could say the same thing about Ohio State, and with the bulletin board material being thrown around by numerous media outlets and Dabo Swinney, I expect the well-rested Buckeyes to come in with a chip on their shoulder and triumph in a close game. 

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

1/11/2021, 8PM ET, ESPN

Projected Matchup: Alabama vs Ohio State

The Pick: Alabama

God help us all.