2014-2015 Playoff Prediction

[BevoBlake]

I'm curious to see what some of you folks think the Playoffs will look like next year. Here is my guess:

#1 Seed: Alabama Crimson Tide

#4 Seed: Georgia Bulldogs

#2 Seed: Florida State Seminoles

#3 Seed: Oregon Ducks

Reason:

Alabama: Alabama is the team that just won't go away. A two loss season for them is a devastating season in their books. And with Nick and the rest of the Crimson Tide operating with a Chip on their shoulder, I fully expect them to surge back to the top of the College Football Landscape next season. Kicker: They're losing McCarron and have a big question mark at Quarterback next year.

Florida State: Simply put, they're the reigning champs and they don't play anybody. Having a Heisman winner doesn't really hurt either. I expect Florida State to play at least as well as they did this Season and thus we should see them in the Playoffs this upcoming Post Season. Kicker: Florida State DC Pruitt left for Georgia and I expect that to take a toll.

Oregon: Oregon was littered with injuries this year, notably the injury of Mariota. With Mariota healthy and a fairly intact returning squad, I think the Ducks soar back to the top of the PAC-12. If they can get past Stanford this year, they should be fine. Kicker: They're losing De'Anthony Thomas and that would hurt any Offense.

Georgia: The Dawgs are my surprise team in 2014. They were decimated by injury this year, otherwise I think they very well could have been the best team in the SEC. With the addition of new Defensive Coordinator Pruitt, I think we're going to see Georgia grow into a beast of a squad. If Bobo can keep his offense healthy this year, Georgia will be scary. Kicker: They're losing Aaron Murray to the draft this year.

 

[TheContractor]

So we will see the sec title game twice & back to back. How fun, not. But good top 4.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I predict Bama will have 2 losses.

 

[BevoBlake]

I predict Bama will have 2 losses.

Bold but it could certainly happen. I just don't know who too. Their schedule isn't really full of dog fights this year, unless they have a hard time with their QB adjustments.

Aug. 30 West Virginia (Win)

Sept. 6 Florida Atlantic (Win)

Sept. 13 Southern Miss (Win)

Sept. 20 *Florida (Could Be Interesting)

Oct. 4 *at Ole Miss (Win)

Oct. 11 *at Arkansas (Win)

Oct. 18 *Texas A&M (Win)

Oct. 25 *at Tennessee (Win)

Nov. 8 *at LSU (Could Be The Loss)

Nov. 15 *Mississippi State (Win)

Nov. 22 Western Carolina (Win)

Nov. 29 *Auburn (Could Be Interesting)

 

[Davharjac]

I think that Auburn has a chance to win the SEC again...

 

[TexasFirst1]

I doubt UA and UG make it. McCarron and Murray are huge losses with no heir apparent with any experience. Imagine where both teams would have finished this year without these two guys. Auburn will win the SEC again and Missouri/South Carolina look good in the SEC east. The MSU/OSU winner likely makes the top 4. OU may have a shot if they can get past UT. Look for the USC/UCLA/Stanford winner to make some noise. Maybe beating Oregon.

 

[Topstarr]

1. OU

4. USC

2. Ohio State

3. FSU

 

[BevoBlake]

I think that Auburn has a chance to win the SEC again...

See, this isn't going to be a popular opinion at all. But I think Auburn was a team that found good fortune last year and ultimately "got lucky". I'm not saying they aren't a good football team because they most certainly are. But two incredibly fortunate plays helped get Auburn into the National Championship. Let's see them both:

On this play, Auburn is on the brink of losing an offensive showdown with an injury plagued Georgia team. And I mean...injury plagued. If the Georgia secondary simply bats down the ball, like they should have been taught to do in High School, this play never happens and Georgia likely wins this game. But by opting to go for the interception, they bobbled the ball and just like pop up drills, the receiver came down with it.

On this play, Auburn did what nobody in the country thought they would. They defied the odds. But not simply because they played the play well, they benefited from Alabama ignorance and poor tackling routes. Alabama by pure arrogance, never put themselves in the position to stop what should have been an easy stop.

Now, I'm not taking those wins away from them because at the end of the day, they made those plays. I just think when we look at the big picture, Auburn was one play away TWICE from being booted from the National Championship race.

 

[TexasFirst1]

1. OU4. USC

2. Ohio State

3. FSU

No way the SEC winner does not make it.

 

[DFW Hornsfan]

OU

Oregon

Auburn

Florida State

Alabama loses two, maybe three. Rebuilding with a new QB

 

[TexasFirst1]

See, this isn't going to be a popular opinion at all. But I think Auburn was a team that found good fortune last year and ultimately "got lucky". I'm not saying they aren't a good football team because they most certainly are. But two incredibly fortunate plays helped get Auburn into the National Championship. Let's see them both:

On this play, Auburn is on the brink of losing an offensive showdown with an injury plagued Georgia team. And I mean...injury plagued. If the Georgia secondary simply bats down the ball, like they should have been taught to do in High School, this play never happens and Georgia likely wins this game. But by opting to go for the interception, they bobbled the ball and just like pop up drills, the receiver came down with it.

On this play, Auburn did what nobody in the country thought they would. They defied the odds. But not simply because they played the play well, they benefited from Alabama ignorance and poor tackling routes. Alabama by pure arrogance, never put themselves in the position to stop what should have been an easy stop.

Now, I'm not taking those wins away from them because at the end of the day, they made those plays. I just think when we look at the big picture, Auburn was one play away TWICE from being booted from the National Championship race.

All the top SEC teams lose top QBs except Auburn and Auburn gets most of their team back except Mason.

 

[BevoBlake]

All the top SEC teams lose top QBs except Auburn and Auburn gets most of their team back except Mason.

Like I said, I know my opinion won't be a popular one. I know I'm stepping out on the ledge a little bit but I'm going to stick to my guns. The loss of both Mason and Robinson concern me on the offensive front. Defensively I don't think they change much but Auburn found themselves having to try and out shoot their opponents last year. Losing Dee Ford could hurt them on the Defensive side of the ball too. But hey, I could be completely wrong and Auburn could be the team to beat next year.

 

[TheContractor]

I think Auburn loses a few in 2014

 

[Davharjac]

Auburn- they should have lost a few games this year and they are losing their best player to the NFL, but in that offense it's kind of plug and play. I think the SEC is actually down. Bama is introducing a new Qb and an OC that is has shown to be both pretty damn good and a complete joke. I see them taking a slight step back.

Oregon- The Ducks can fly! Okay, bad pun..but I tried. They bring back a very talented Qb, very good backs, and a huge chip on their shoulders. They look to improve on this years let down of a season and take some pretty good momentum into the offseason. I think they have a little bit of addition by subtraction with the loss of "The Black Mamba". Thomas is a great ath, but he has some Daje to him (Ughh I know), maybe worse, but also more productive..so there's that. The one worry I have w them is they tend to get (excuse me for this) punked by that one smart school..Stanford just pounds them..if they can over come that team, they will be dangerous, but that a BIG A** IF.

FSU- Don't need to write up a lot about this team. They pummeled lesser competition in the ACC, and the addition of a few basketball school won't prove to provide them with

a more difficult schedule. The one thing that may get in their way is themselves. Maybe the press clippings get to them and Jameis' fame and continued court issues derail them, but I wouldn't count on it.

This last spot is hard for me to pick...I have thought about OU, tOSU, and even Mich St.....I'm going to go with the team that has the best situation at Qb

tOSU- I'm not too sold on this pick..but they have a guy who will/should compete for a Heisman. Their Defense was GOD awful this year though..and my little sister is more durable than he (Miller) is..but he is tough and an outstanding ath. The loss of their back will hurt them, but ultimately they are the best coached team in the B1G (Mich St close second) and the most talented. The conf just doesn't have enough talent to contend with them. Not my strongest argument by any means.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

1. Florida St

2. Alabama

3. Michigan St

4. UCLA

 

[BevoBlake]

Auburn- they should have lost a few games this year and they are losing their best player to the NFL, but in that offense it's kind of plug and play. I think the SEC is actually down. Bama is introducing a new Qb and an OC that is has shown to be both pretty damn good and a complete joke. I see them taking a slight step back.
Oregon- The Ducks can fly! Okay, bad pun..but I tried. They bring back a very talented Qb, very good backs, and a huge chip on their shoulders. They look to improve on this years let down of a season and take some pretty good momentum into the offseason. I think they have a little bit of addition by subtraction with the loss of "The Black Mamba". Thomas is a great ath, but he has some Daje to him (Ughh I know), maybe worse, but also more productive..so there's that. The one worry I have w them is they tend to get (excuse me for this) punked by that one smart school..Stanford just pounds them..if they can over come that team, they will be dangerous, but that a BIG A** IF.

FSU- Don't need to write up a lot about this team. They pummeled lesser competition in the ACC, and the addition of a few basketball school won't prove to provide them with

a more difficult schedule. The one thing that may get in their way is themselves. Maybe the press clippings get to them and Jameis' fame and continued court issues derail them, but I wouldn't count on it.

This last spot is hard for me to pick...I have thought about OU, tOSU, and even Mich St.....I'm going to go with the team that has the best situation at Qb

tOSU- I'm not too sold on this pick..but they have a guy who will/should compete for a Heisman. Their Defense was GOD awful this year though..and my little sister is more durable than he is..but he is tough and an outstanding ath. The loss of their back will hurt them, but ultimately they are the best coached team in the B1G (Mich St close second) and the most talented. The conf just doesn't have enough talent to contend with them. Not my strongest argument by any means.

Ohio State is a team that I'm just meh on right now. They're obviously a very talented squad but I think they benefited from playing in an overly down conference this past year. I think Michigan State is still the best team in that conference as it stands right now. You are right though in that Gus Malzahn has developed a plug and play Offense.

1. Florida St2. Alabama

3. Michigan St

4. UCLA

Love the UCLA pick. I really considered picking them myself as they're so young and already so damn talented. They could most definitely be the dark horse in next years playoff hunt. My only concern with them is what they're losing on the Defensive side of the ball this year. I'll have to see how they adjust to those losses.