2022-2023 College Football Playoff Predictions
Sports by Ethan Irish and Josh Blatt
Bama? Ohio State? Clemson? Who will hoist that championship trophy?
[E] 5. Utah
Ethan's Proj. Regular Season Record: 11-1
Could another team get snubbed from the college football playoff allowing for more than one SEC team? Of course. I think Utah is that team this year. Even though the big names of the Pac-12 conference are leaving, USC and UCLA, they have not been the powerhouses of the conference for more than a decade. Utah and Oregon have been the consistent players in the College Football scene for some time now and have not gotten much attention. Utah averaged 36 points per game last year and I think they bring back that same firepower. With three returning starters on the offensive line this team could continue their ground attack as well after averaging 217 yards per game. However their defense is the questionable facet of this season, replacing Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell will not be easy.
Games that will define the season: Florida week one, preseason ranked #14 USC on 10/15, and in the second to last game of the season they will face #11 Oregon.
[J] 5. Michigan State
Josh's Proj. Regular Season Record: 11-1
The Spartans had a fantastic, and frankly overwhelming season last year. Of course there were the lowlights whether it was getting upset by Purdue or getting stomped out by Ohio State without the services of star running back Kenneth Walker III. One thing was clear, there was a talent gap between Michigan State and the top teams in the country, and I believe that gap is still there resulting in an 11-1 season with the only loss coming to the Buckeyes in the sixth week of the season. Junior quarterback Payton Thorne is coming off of a dominant passing performance in the Peach Bowl against the Pitt Panthers, which included 354 yards and a completion percentage of 58% on 50(!) attempts. I see him being able to channel that performance on a week to week basis with his top target and potential Biletnikoff candidate Jayden Reed back for his Senior year. Now the Spartans could sneak in if Ohio State or Michigan cannot emulate the dominance of last year, but I highly doubt the Big Ten would be able to have two teams in the playoff.
Games that will define the season: At Washington, those words are terrifying, considering Michigan State has not defeated a Pac-12 opponent since their bowl game of the 2017-2018 season against an underwhelming Washington State, this Washington squad could provide some fits for Mel Tucker and the boys come 9/17. October is the gauntlet portion of the season with a tuneup against Maryland, back to back home matchups against Ohio State and Wisconsin are tricky, and the always competitive game against their rival Michigan Wolverines.
[E] 4. Texas A&M
Ethan's Proj. Regular Season Record: 11-1
I had too. The recruiting class is just too good to shy away from what could be a college football playoff run this season. If I am wrong and this year is not the year, it will come soon enough. After last year's huge upset against the top ranked Alabama team I think a lot of hope was instilled for the fan base. Even with all of the new talent, the 2022 iteration of Aggie football still has to play in the SEC and probably win every game with the exception of maybe one. The defense will be the key this season just like the aforementioned Utes team but with the number of potential big wins on the schedule they edge out Utah slightly for me.
Games that will define the season: #16 Miami in the third week of the season, obviously the game on 10/8 on the road against #1 ranked Alabama, and this might be a stretch but the game on the road versus Auburn on 11/12 may turn into a trap.
[J] 4. Alabama
Josh's Proj. Regular Season Record: 12-0 (They do NOT win the SEC Title)
Okay, okay... calm down, breathe. Alabama is going to have another dominant season, however a close loss to the Georgia Bulldogs results in their drop and ultimately leaves them in limbo waiting for the College Football Playoff to be announced. You can never write off the Crimson Tide, however there are a few occasions this season that do make me slightly worried for their championship hopes. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young looks to build on and potentially recapture the magic of a phenomenal Heisman campaign. I think he can do it and lead his squad to another CFP birth, he wants that ring.
Games that will define the season: Texas cannot and will not scare Alabama, we should rip that band-aid off now. However, there are three games that would have me biting my nails if I were Nick Saban and those include preseason ranked #19 Arkansas on the road, who the Tide only beat by a single possession after Razorback quarterback KJ Jefferson emerged as a serious player last season. Giving Jefferson a full year to improve and figure out that defense even more than did in a 22/30, 326 yard, and 3 TD game (and that was just through the air) whilst battling injury. #6 Texas A&M could end up being a match-up nightmare, but I ultimately believe they are another year away. Auburn, that is it. Auburn at Alabama to end the season, Auburn tends to make fireworks when they are projected poorly, I have that game circled, at least for the first half.
[E] 3. Clemson
Ethan's Proj. Regular Season Record: 12-0
Absolutely hate this pick but Clemson will be back in the mix this season after being completely written off after the loss to Georgia Tech last year, which was warranted. However, after starting the season 4-3 the Tigers ended up having what was probably the quietest 10-3 season of all time. It does not help that the ACC has been a pile of garbage for a while now so if you lose one game you're done. For this season to work the offense has to be back, the defense was college football playoff level last year, which was eighth overall and third in scoring, but the offense was horrible. Well as horrible as a 10-3 team's offense can be at least. If they are just average offensively I do not see Clemson struggling to be in the top 5 for the entirety of the 2022 season.
Games that will define the season: In my opinion there are two road games against #22 ranked Wake Forest on 9/24 and #5 Notre Dame on 11/5, and also the game against #16 Miami on 11/19. Sorry NC State it is not happening in back to back years.
[J] 3. Notre Dame
Josh's Proj. Regular Season Record: 11-1
Listen.. I don't like it much more than you, but with the preseason rankings sitting where they are, a week one loss to Ohio State will most likely not have as big of an impact as it would if the Irish were not ranked so highly. Coming into the season at #6 to start the 2022-2023 campaign, they have plenty of opportunity to win and play catch up. However there are some heavy ifs, including IF Clemson can come into 11/5 undefeated, BYU needs to have an above average season, and IF USC decides to regain relevance under Lincoln Riley. IF Notre Dame wins out after a close week one loss to #2 Ohio State, the Irish have a more than solid chance at clawing into the CFP for the third time.
Games that will define the season: I believe it is vital for Clemson to come into their matchup undefeated for the Irish to be able to make the playoff. So believe it or not Clemson's first eight games are what will define Notre Dame's season, given the Irish can defeat them in game nine at home. Following that, it is an 11/26 matchup with USC on the road that could make or break the season.
[E] 2. Alabama
Ethan's Proj. Regular Season Record: 12-0
Common sense is to just lock the Crimson Tide in the playoff. Heisman winner, Bryce Young, is back which is huge. The offense has to be more consistent this season and Bryce Young has to be the one to make that happen. If they manage that, just like every other year, they have the potential to lift the hardware in the end. The defense will still be great. What puts them at two for me is just the schedule. I know it is the SEC still but I do not think it is as strong this year. With Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky missing from their SEC West opponents, #1 Alabama has a slightly less strong schedule. Still going to be a playoff run for Saban's squad.
Games that will define the season: In my opinion there is a potential double edged sword with #6 Texas A&M and unranked (for now) Tennessee on the road on 10/8 and 10/15 respectively.
[J] 2. Georgia
Josh's Proj. Regular Season Record: 12-0? (Come on Vandy!)
Coming off of the schools first National Championship since 1980, there will be some fatigue, and growing pains after losing what I can only describe as: their entire defense. Only five of their top fifteen tacklers are back this season, but they still have depth that they have gained through recruiting and the transfer portal. If nothing else, this team has talent, and the schedule is loaded with cupcakes. As of right now it seems as though week one against the Oregon Ducks will be the most challenging regular season matchup for the Georgia. They are returning most of their All- SEC candidate offensive line and their freshman All-American tight end that did wonders towards the end of season, Brock Bowers. Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV is back and looking to recapture the magic that brought his Bulldogs home the title.
Games that will define the season: Oregon to open up the season is the easy choice, and while it is true that Oregon has a fighting chance, I believe it is more likely to look for a trap game to potentially take them. Look to 10/15 when Vanderbilt comes to town, we could be in for a shock this season.
[E] 1. Ohio State
Ethan's Proj. Regular Season Record: 12-0
Three undefeated regular season teams to round out my top 5 but the undefeated teams could lose in their respective conference championships. Ohio State, however, is not one of those teams in my opinion. They will go 12-0 and win the Big Ten Championship. Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud is the key for the Buckeyes this season in my eyes. Losing Garret Wilson and Chris Olave to the NFL hurts but it won't kill them. This season, the schedule is going to be brutal for Ohio State, even if there are a lot of home games, but that is what puts them at #1 for me. They have to face the gauntlet that is the Big Ten East and face arguably the best Big Ten West team, if not the best at least the most consistent team, in #18 Wisconsin. Do not forget they still have to play #5 Notre Dame to start the year and a sneaky Iowa team about half way through the season.
Games that will define the season: For the Buckeyes will be in the East division and are on the road against #15 Michigan State and unranked Penn State, who is still a force, on 10/9 and 10/29 respectively, and against #8 Michigan to end the season.
[J] 1. Ohio State
Josh's Proj. Regular Season Record: 12-0 (With a side of blowouts)
It is no secret that Ohio State is an elite program. With a loss to rival Michigan closing the regular season, Head Coach Ryan Day will be on his guys all year to ensure the Buckeyes will not slip up during the regular season. They have a lot of chances to drop a game this year but Jaxon Smith-Njigba will emerge as a top candidate and most likely winner of the Biletnikoff award and C.J. Stroud will come out as a top three quarterback in every major statistical category, most likely netting him another trip to New York's Heisman Ceremony. I completely agree with Ethan here, Ohio State has to run the gauntlet. One thing is for certain, home field advantage is very real in college football and that can will the Buckeyes to top seeding in the CFP.
Games that will define the season: While week one against #6 Notre Dame is huge in its own right, I look to #15 Michigan State on the road or perennial pretenders #18 Wisconsin to provide the toughest challenge for Ohio State this season.
Ethan's National Champion
Ohio State
Even with the losses of Wilson and Olave they still have Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a handful of other guys ready to take the roles of the NFL bound stars. C.J. Stroud is the Heisman favorite at a consensus of +196 according to Action Network, and could easily achieve that feat. The firepower is still there, after lighting up scoreboards last season scoring north of 45 points per game and putting up more than 550 yards per game. Even a small step back is enough to keep them on top. To add on to that losing to Michigan last season and missing the playoff the Buckeyes have an extra edge that these other teams do not have at the moment. Another three year trend that is worth taking note of is the last three champions did not make the College Football Playoff the previous season.
Josh's National Champion
Alabama
Is this choice generic, vanilla, and boring? Yes. Does history tell us that I will be wrong? No. Alabama has been the gold standard in college sports with six National Championships since 2009. Nick Saban loves winning more than anything, and with arguably the best college quarterback we have seen in years, Saban has to capitalize. After putting up a nationwide sixth best 39.9 points per game and holding opponents to 20.1 points per game (good for 18th of 130 teams) the dominance is just there. I see an extremely close game with Ohio State to open up the CFP resulting in, what people are calling 'the best college football game since USC and Texas went at it for the title in 2006.' Then getting their revenge on Georgia for not only beating them in the 2022 National Championship, but also this season's SEC Championship Game. All is sweet for the Crimson Tide until March, when Nick Saban announces that he is walking away from the game.