The College Football Playoffs don’t start until the end of December, but it’s never too early to predict the outcomes so here they are: Oklahoma is going to top Clemson, while Alabama takes care of Michigan State. Here’s why:
Oklahoma Over Clemson
1. Clemson carries the burden as the top seed (and lone unbeaten)
The Tigers may be the best team in the playoffs, but they'll be playing with the extra burden of having the top-seed target on their backs. It’s not an easy burden to bear. Especially when you’re the lone unbeaten as well.
Last year the top seed was Alabama, and they looked like they were playing with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide lost to fourth-seeded Ohio State 42–35 in a game where Saban’s vaunted defense went AWOL. Clemson is a great team, but it seems that being the top seed is just another obstacle in the course to a national title.
2. Oklahoma has Baker Mayfield
Mayfield—the former walk-on who earned the starting position as a true freshman for Texas Tech two years ago—is one of the most underrated players in the game. He doesn’t have the most talent, but he never gives up on a play or a game and he constantly surprises people by turning a nothing play into something.
His heroics at the end of the Tennessee game—where he helped rally OU from a 17–3 4th-quarter deficit to win in overtime—was one of the more gutsy performances of the season. Watching him play with the Sooners’ backs against the wall versus Clemson should be entertaining.
