The 2020 college football season is coming to a close. Many wondered if we'd even reach this time of the year, but here we are. The New Years Six is almost upon us as several of the nation's top-squads prepare to meet on the big stage. With it all just over the horizon, I thought I'd dive into some predictions.
In the following piece, I'll be sharing my thoughts on each of the New Year's Six matchups. In order, I'll preview the games in the following order:
Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Capital One Orange Bowl
College Football Playoff Semifinal- The Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One
College Football Playoff Semifinal- Allstate Sugar Bowl
After sharing my thoughts and predictions for each game, I'll transition to my projected 2020 National Championship game. I'll declare my winner and explain why that squad will finish the season on top.
Without further ado, here are my picks for the 202o New Year's Six slate:
Cotton Bowl (Florida vs. Oklahoma)
Let's start with this one. The Oklahoma Sooners and Florida Gators meet at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT from the Lone Star State.
After an impressive run at Alabama in the SEC Championship game, the Florida Gators were rightfully perceived as the favorite heading into the highly-anticipated matchup. Since then, though, the line has shifted towards the Sooners for obvious reasons. The opt-outs of Kyle Pitts, Trevon Grimes and Kadarius Toney, plus the positive COVID-19 test for Jacob Copeland, has left a loaded Florida offense in a difficult position. While it's a unit that can shape the direction of games, it often faces challenges from its own squad. The Gators' defense has struggled immensely at times, putting the offense in must-score situations for long periods of contests. That can't be the case this time around, but unfortunately, it might be.
Oklahoma's offense has struggled at times towards the end of the season, but the Sooners have shown the ability to capitalize on weaker defensive play. Florida often struggles with preventing big plays, something Oklahoma is more than capable of. With players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Marvin Mims, chunk yardage in the running or passing game isn't rare. If Spencer Rattler provides a mature approach to this game with his natural arm talent, it might be a long day for Florida. Trying to keep up with Lincoln Riley while facing a much-improved Oklahoma defense won't be an easy task.
Bottom line, this is one of the more complete-teams the Sooners have seen in awhile. While Florida is quite talented, the roster gaps cannot be ignored. The Gators' offense is a serious strength, but with it somewhat-hindered, a poor defensive group will have to play its best game of the year.
Collin's Pick: Oklahoma
Peach Bowl (Georgia vs. Cincinnati)
The lone Group of Five representative inside the New Year's six faces a regular out of the SEC. The Cincinnati Bearcats meet the Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta, Georgia come the start of the new year. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. CT
I want to start with Georgia. The Bulldogs, for what seems like forever, have been known for two things: A run game and solid defense. However, the addition of JT Daniels has taken this team to a new level. With new offensive coordinator Todd Monken able to utilize some of the schematics he likely wasn't able to before, Georgia has hit a stride as a more complete team.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, is an interesting matchup. Of course, the offense led by quarterback Desmond Ritter will be an obvious point to bringup. However, I think the Bearcats' defense gets a bit overlooked at times. Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is a rising star and has created a unit that ranks towards the top in terms of passing defense statistics. With this in mind, it'll be interesting how Cincinnati challenges the momentum built by the Bulldogs through the air.
In the end, though, even if the Bearcats can limit JT Daniels I think it plays right into the hand of the Bulldogs. Forcing Georgia to do what it's most comfortable with probably isn't the best recipe for success. With the perceived talent advantage also present, I like the Bulldogs' chance to win in familiar territory.
Collin's pick: Georgia
Fiesta Bowl (Iowa State vs. Oregon)
The Big 12 runner-up meets the PAC-12 champ. Iowa State and Oregon battle it out in Arizona on Saturday, January 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
Oregon was a replacement team in the PAC-12 title game and ended up winning it. The Ducks haven't been too impressive on the year, mainly because of a less than stellar situation at quarterback. Tyler Shough hasn't been exceptional on the year, but Oregon has found a way to win games. I will say that I'm very high on some of the Ducks' defensive playmakers, including Kayvon Thibodeaux, Isaac Slade-Matautia, Noah Sewell or Verone McKinley.
However, I simply feel like Iowa State is the better team. Brock Purdy isn't always the outstanding signal caller many expect him to be, but when he's on, the Cyclones are difficult to contain. Especially since that opens things up for one of the best running backs in the country. I don't know what else to say other than Breece Hall is really good at football. I'd also say the emergence of Xavier Hutchinson at receiver goes overlooked at times. He proved he's capable of making plays on the big stage in the Big 12 Championship, I'd expect that momentum to carry over. With Jon Heacock calling the defense, Iowa State poses real problems.
I don't want to overthink this matchup. Mario Cristobal told reporters Iowa State is the best team his squad has faced all year. I believe him and I think it'll show on the field.
Collin's pick: Iowa State
Orange Bowl (Texas A&M vs. North Carolina)
This game features two very interesting teams. The Texas A&M Aggies travel to face the North Carolina Tar Heels in Miami, Florida. Kickoff on January 2 is set for 7 p.m. CT.
North Carolina has one of the more dynamic offensive systems in the country. Sam Howell at quarterback gets plenty of attention, and rightfully so, but the weapons around him are incredibly talented in their own right. The Tar Heels have a corps of backs and receivers who give defensive coordinators nightmares for a reason. However, North Carolina's defense has been suspect at times this year. That's key going into this matchup.
Texas A&M's offense isn't necessarily explosive. However, it's a physical unit fueled by the 'Maroon Goons'. The Aggies' offensive line, led by stars like Kenyon Green, has seen stretches of dominance in 2020. That effort up-front has not only helped a dynamic running back in Isaiah Spiller, but it's taken some pressure off of enigmatic quarterback Kellen Mond. Add-in the fact that Texas A&M features one of the top defensive lines in football and the Aggies go into nearly every game favored along the line of scrimmage.
I'm a firm believer in the old saying 'games are won on the line of scrimmage'. Keeping the earlier statements in mind, I know who I favor. I also think the Aggies will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, adding to the eventual winning-effort.
Collin's pick: Texas A&M
CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl (Alabama vs. Notre Dame)
Alright, let's get to the big ones. The 2020 College Football Playoff starts with the Rose Bowl. This game won't be played in Pasadena, California, though. It is now set for Arlington, Texas inside AT&T Stadium. Kickoff on January 1 is slated for 3 p.m. CT.
Notre Dame enters this game as the obvious underdog. However, I'd argue it's probably a better team than the one the Fighting Irish sent to the playoff in the past. Why? A lot of that has to do with quarterback Ian Book. Previously seen as a bit of a hinderance on the squad, the veteran signal caller has seen some of the best play of his career in 2020. Of course, he's had some help along the way. Notre Dame's offensive line is one of the best in all of college football and running back Kyren Williams is a fun player to watch. The Fighting Irish have also put together impressive defensive performances this year, but they'll need the best of the season against this daunting opponent.
Alabama is simply one of the best offenses I've seen and it doesn't even have Jaylen Waddle. The play of Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris is must-see TV. Plus, the Crimson Tide have an elite offensive line full of potential NFL prospects. A system that loves to go over the top, big plays are the name of the game for Alabama. Defensively, the Crimson Tide were rolling until they met Florida's potent offense in the SEC Championship game.
I'm going to be honest: I'd be stunned if Notre Dame pulls off this upset. I will acknowledge that the Fighting Irish have a solid team, but I think that loss to Clemson in the ACC title game was revealing. Alabama is the toughest test in college football right now, an assignment I'm not sure Notre Dame can handle.
Collin's pick: Alabama
CFP Semifinal: Sugar Bowl (Clemson vs. Ohio State)
As for the other College Football Playoff matchup, there's much more intrigue here. No love will be lost when the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes take the field. This Sugar Bowl matchup will kickoff at 7 p.m. CT on January 1.
There's been some obvious controversy surrounding Ohio State's appearance in this year's playoff. Having only played six games while only looking dominant in a few outings, the Buckeyes have something to prove. Luckily, they have one of the nation's best quarterbacks leading the way. Justin Fields will need to put together the best performance of his career in order to get past the Tigers. However, he's healthy and motivated going into the game. He has weapons around him, too. Ohio State's receiving corps is loaded and Trey Sermon is fresh-off one of the best games of his career. It's the defense that will truly be tested, though, as the Buckeyes haven't always been stellar on that side of the ball. With tendencies to give up big plays in both the pass-game and run-game, that unit has to be sharp facing the Tigers.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has given Ohio State plenty of bulletin board material going into this game. He's made it clear he doesn't believe the Buckeyes deserve to be here. However, there might be a reason for that. Swinney might see a favorable matchup, one that looks much better on-paper than the battle he had to deal with a season ago. Clemson's offense, led by the best signal caller in the country and one of the best backs in the nation in Travis Etienne, now has an added element to its unit. The Tigers' receivers have stepped up after early losses, creating a more than capable group. Defensively, while Clemson is young up-front and potentially unchallenged in the secondary, it's still led by two fearless minds. Coordinator Brent Venables and linebacker James Skalski are relentless, something you have to be when facing an offense like the Buckeyes'.
In the end, while I think this could be a better game than some are making it out to be, I have to go with my gut. Clemson is the better team and trending in a positive direction. Ryan Day and his group won't back down, but I'm not sure they can win this fight in the end.
Collin's pick: Clemson
Projected National Championship (Alabama vs. Clemson)
So, here we are. With all this said, I have these two teams meeting yet again in the National Championship. This game, by the way, will be played on Monday, January 11 in Miami, Florida.
Let's start with Clemson. Yes, Trevor Lawrence is as elite as they come at the quarterback position. He's added more of a running element to his game, something that could give the Crimson Tide fits. Travis Etienne is, once again, an elite playmaker at the running back position both as a ball carrier and as a receiver. Cornell Powell and Amari Rodgers are proven receivers, which takes pressure of the two already mentioned. Defensively, I'm a huge fan of James Skalski and the young defensive linemen like Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee. However, I just feel like Alabama presents all the right challenges to face the Tigers.
The Crimson Tide's talented offensive line is a group that could easily expose the youth of Clemson up-front. Clemson also hasn't seen too many elite receiving corps this year, which will change once it must gameplan for DeVonta Smith. I'd expect the Alabama defense to allow some points, but I do think Mac Jones is up to the task in terms of matching the Tigers' offensive output.
Alabama is simply a team that has separated itself from the rest of the football world, in my opinion. Sure, there have been challenges, but that's to be expected when everyone's giving you their best shot. While Clemson is more than a formidable foe, the Crimson Tide look like the team to escape this weird year on top.
Collin's pick: Alabama
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