College Football Bowl Picks From Our Experts
Tag: clemson
College Football Rankings: Before The Bowls
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our poll before the bowls. Every member of the crew participated.
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Before the Bowls
Our groups seems to agree with the CFP committee with our top four teams. We have them in the same order too. The Oregon Ducks jumped up to #5 after an impressive win over Utah. Wisconsin and Auburn were able to return to our top 10.
Our top three remains untouched, however, Oklahoma now slides in tied with Georgia at #4. Michigan and Minnesota fall out of the top ten this week, they are replaced by the Oregon Ducks and Baylor Bears.
Voting Trends
Pre Bowl Pick Results
As it stands – Tommy Nuggets is in the lead. Things can change vastly during bowl season, the majority of our pollsters voted to continue to pick for every bowl game. Those picks will come later this week.
Heisman Pick
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 9: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 10: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 11: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 12: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 13: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 14: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 15: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Wrap Up
Can Tommy Nuggets be caught by Stormin’ Mormon or Chamby during bowl season?
– Buzz
What If…College Football Playoff Scenarios
The College Football Playoff Committee had a pretty easy job when they announced the top four teams. It was obvious to everyone that LSU, Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma would be involved in some way. The only argument was – who gets the #1 seed. I believe they got the order right. Some – Tommy Nuggets – may cry about this for a while. However, LSU was the clear #1 team in the nation.
Obviously, everyone would love a much larger playoff picture. I decided to take a look at what games we could have if the playoff field were to expand.
To keep things consistent, I used the latest CFP rankings to determine seeding:
Six Team Playoff
A six team playoff looks pretty nice. The top two seeds are rewarded with a bye in the opening round. Every Power 5 conference champion gets in, plus one at large team – Georgia. The one thing I do not like about this is that we could see another LSU-Georgia game.
If Georgia and Oregon were to swap places – this would be the ultimate playoff bracket for me. We would avoid another SEC rematch possibility until the championship game.
As it stands with the current format, teams can play an additional two games. This bracket sets up the possibility of a team playing three postseason games.
Eight Team Playoff
I like the opening round games we get in this bracket. Wisconsin comes in as a solid #8 seed, we would see if LSU is the real deal or if the Big 10 is legit. Clemson would get their first true test of the season against #6 Oregon. Ohio State would likely steamroll #7 Baylor to show how weak the Big 12 was this year.
Twelve Team Playoff
This is where things start to look messy. You have the possibility of teams playing an additional four postseason games with this bracket. We are also looking at a number of possible rematches – with Oregon and Utah immediately playing back-to-back games in the opening round. Georgia would play Auburn for a second time this season. Penn State would set up to play Ohio State again with a win – Florida would have a rematch against LSU with a win.
I would LOVE to watch a playoff like this, but many of the games are looking redundant.
For this to work they would need to have the ability to flex the seeding to avoid conference rematches in the opening round. If we swapped Auburn and Utah – we could get a rematch between Oregon and Auburn, along with an interesting Georgia and Utah game.
Sixteen Team Playoff
We get all of the same opening round games that we would get from the twelve team playoff. Rather than awarding a first round bye to the top four seeds, they would play against the 13th-16th ranked teams in the opening round.
This would buy us an interesting game with #13 Alabama against #4 Oklahoma – a game the Crimson Tide would likely win. #15 Notre Dame at #2 Ohio State would give us a classing matchup in the opening round.
The nice thing about this is, if you focus in on Oklahoma – they would have to prove they are for real against SEC competition before making it to the semifinal.
Thirty-Two Team Playoff
This is ridiculous. The two teams in the national championship would play five postseason games.
Final Thoughts
As it stands this season – I think the best playoff format would be a six team playoff. You include all of the Power 5 conference champions and one at large team. You also have an opportunity to reward the two best teams with a first round bye.
As we expand the playoff the games get a little redundant – the regular season would lose too much meaning if you make this thing too big.
What do you think the playoff should look like? Are you happy with the four team format, or would you prefer to expand this thing?
– Buzz
College Football Playoff: Random Observations While I Am Bored At Work
- Only five teams have played in the CFP Championship: Oregon, Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia.
- No #1 seed or #3 seed has ever won the college football playoff title.
- Oklahoma has the most appearances without reaching the title game (3). They are also the only team to represent the Big 12 in the playoff.
- All other Power 5 conferences have sent two members to the playoff.
- Only two teams have reached the CFP without winning their conference: Alabama (2017) and Ohio State (2016).
- Alabama (5), Clemson (4), Oklahoma (3) and Ohio State (2) are the only teams to appear in the playoff more than once.
The current rankings lead me to believe that we will have a couple CFP firsts:
- LSU can make their first CFP appearance.
- This will be the first year Alabama is not in the CFP.
- Utah and Baylor are in position to make their first CFP appearance – with some help.
- Clemson can tie Alabama for the most CFP appearances (5).
- Ohio State could be the first Big 10 team to snag the #1 seed.
That’s all for now. Let’s see how things play out this weekend before we get too far ahead of ourselves.
Some of us need to get back to our day job.
– Buzz
College Football Rankings (Week 14) And Picks (Conference Championship Edition)
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our Week 14 poll. Five members of the crew participated, Stormin’ Mormon half-assed it and only submitted his picks.
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Week 14
Our top three remains untouched, however, Oklahoma now slides in tied with Georgia at #4. Michigan and Minnesota fall out of the top ten this week, they are replaced by the Oregon Ducks and Baylor Bears.
Conference Championship Picks
The race for the best winning percentage is heating up – it is down to three real contenders. Tommy Nuggets is in the lead, but Stormin’ Mormon and Chamby are right on his tail. Bix and Klyde Frog are in the back of the pack, and I have all but eliminated myself.
If The CFP Happened Today…
Heisman Pick
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 9: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 10: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 11: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 12: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 13: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 14: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Wrap Up
Root for chaos. Let’s see what happens if we get wins from Oregon, Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Baylor!
– Buzz
College Football Rankings (Week 13) And Picks (Week 14)
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our Week 13 poll. Five members of the crew participated:
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Week 13
Our top four remains untouched. The Oregon Ducks and Penn State fall out of our top ten – they are replaced by Florida and Michigan.
Week 14 Picks
If The CFP Happened Today…
Heisman Pick
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 9: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 10: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 11: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 12: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 13: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Wrap Up
Rivalry week. Let’s hope for some big upsets to shake up this playoff picture.
– Buzz
College Football Rankings (Week 12) And Picks (Week 13)
Down go the Golden Gophers! Down go the Baylor Bears! We lost two more undefeated teams this week.
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our Week 12 poll. Five members of the crew participated:
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Week 12
Our top three remains untouched – it is hard to imagine a playoff scenario without LSU, Ohio State and Clemson. The Georgia Bulldogs jump up to #4, leapfrogging Oregon and Alabama.
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Voting Trends
Week 13 Picks
This is honestly bullshit. I went all out last week and picked against the grain – only to go 0-5.
If The CFP Happened Today…
Heisman Pick
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 9: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 10: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 11: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Wrap Up
We have one great game this weekend, Penn State @ Ohio State. The rest of the weekend looks pretty “meh”. Hopefully the Nittany Lions can shake things up in the Big 10 and take down The Buckeyes.
– Buzz
College Football Rankings (Week 11) And Picks (Week 12)
Down go the Nittany Lions! Down go the Crimson Tide! We lost two more undefeated teams this week.
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our Week 11 poll. EVERYONE participated:
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Week 11
Alabama falls out of our top four this week after losing to the clear #1 team in the country LSU. The Oregon Ducks somehow snake their way into a playoff spot this week. Finally, the Golden Gophers get some respect after defeating former #4 Penn State.
Voting Trends
Week 12 Picks
If The CFP Happened Today…
Heisman Picks
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 9: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 10: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Wrap Up
This weekend we have an elimination game in the Big 12 – the loser likely out of playoff contention. The Baylor Bears could prove to be a real contender with a win over Oklahoma.
Minnesota gets a chance to prove they are for-real for-real with a game on the road at Iowa.
– Buzz
College Football Rankings (Week 10) And Picks (Week 11)
We lost another undefeated team for the fourth week in a row – the SMU Mustangs fell to the Memphis Tigers on Saturday night.
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our Week 9 poll. EVERYONE (except for Chamby) participated:
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Week 10
Our top three teams remained unchanged this week. Georgia and Oregon each found themselves tied for #4 after their big wins this weekend. There is some clear voting bias in our poll – Clemson and Penn State only showed up in 4/5 top tens – greatly impacting their rankings.
Voting Trends
Week 11 Picks
If The CFP Happened Today…
Heisman Picks
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 9: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Final Week Nine Thoughts
- Buzz: Some bogus calls in the Georgia-Florida game – at least that is what my brother was screaming at the TV.
- Tommy Nuggets: Boring week
- Bix: Seasons over. UW sucks. Bring on 2020.
- Klyde Frog: UCLA is in prime position to win the Pac-12 South! And the Beavers have a really explosive offense. I don’t know if Arizona’s D Coordinator was the issue.
Wrap Up
Penn State @ Minnesota and LSU @ Alabama. Do I need to say more than that to get you excited for this weekend?
– Buzz
College Football Rankings (Week 9) And Picks (Week 10)
The Oklahoma Sooner football team fell this week to unranked Kansas State. In three consecutive weeks we have had an undefeated team lose to an unranked team.
Many contributors to Hefty Headlines were invited to participate in our Week 9 poll. EVERYONE participated:
Hefty Headlines Top 10 Poll: Week 9
The LSU Tigers remain our number 1 team in the nation. Ohio State jumped Alabama. Penn State and Florida round out our top five. Our biggest drop went to #10 Oklahoma, who fell six spots after their loss to unranked Kansas State.
Due to consistent bitching from our pollsters – we now will produce a weekly top ten, rather than a weekly top 25.
Voting Trends
Week 10 Picks
If The CFP Happened Today…
- Buzz: This poll is kind of a wash until LSU plays Alabama and Penn State plays Ohio State. Clemson will likely snake their way in to this. There is an opportunity for Oregon or another SEC team to find their way into the final four. I’d really like to see what happens with an undefeated Baylor team and if they would get in.
- Tommy Nuggets: Ohio State looks unstoppable right now, but we‘ll see. Winner of LSU/Bama is in. Clemson is in, although their schedule is annoying. Toss up after that…
- Bix: Oklahoma’s disappointing loss might keep Jalen hurts from getting revenge against his former team. LSU or bama will get a loss and then only one into the SEC title.
- Chamby: No real thoughts. Michigan can spoil Ohio State in a couple weeks.
- Klyde Frog: The LSU-Alabama game will sort out the #1 seed. I hope the Pac-12 gets in this year.
Heisman Picks
- Buzz: Joe Burrow is the Heisman front-runner until LSU loses. Chase Young looked like the most dominant player in the country. JK Dobbins is the key to that Ohio State offense – he deserves more credit for the success of that team.
- Tommy Nuggets: Chase Young deserves it
- Stormin’ Mormon: Baylor Romney had his Heisman moments bs Boise. Watch out
- Bix: Tua needs to get healthy but if he wins out and keeps producing I think he wins. (I think Tua beats burrow ob 11/9)
- Chamby: If Oregon commits to Verdell, his numbers will be ridiculous. Stop using Dye and let Verdell be the dude.
- Klyde Frog: Joe Burrow has been so good he can have a down game and still stay up there. I have watched 1 drive of an Ohio State game so I have not seen Chase Young play. Jalen Hurts almost put up 500 yards of offense but still lost. Not his fault.
Previous Weeks
- Pre-Season: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
- Week 1: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 2: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 3: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma AND Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 4: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 5: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 6: Jalen Hurts – QB – Oklahoma
- Week 7: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
- Week 8: Joe Burrow – QB – LSU
Final Week Nine Thoughts
- Buzz: Oklahoma got screwed on that onside kick. #8 was blocked into the kick – making it not an illegal touch. Would have like to have seen that one play out. Oregon comes away with an exciting win during #pac12afterdark. The Canes are working their way towards a bowl game this year.
- Tommy Nuggets: Big 12 is a joke!
- Bix: Oregon Squeaked our another one….chip and UCLA turning it around. 7 rushing TDs by QBs in the Oklahoma vs Kansas State matchup. Gotta be close to a record.
- Klyde Frog: Oregon should have lost. I enjoyed watching UCLA destroy ASU. Herm didn’t have an answer!
- Chamby: Go Ducks!
Wrap Up
This weekend is decent – but I am looking forward to the following weekend. On November 9th we have Penn State @ Minnesota and LSU @ Alabama.
– Buzz
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