Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State –
Mike: Ohio State
Jon: Ohio State
Mike: This will be a good game, filled with amazing moments. But Ohio State is the better team right now, so they’ll win. I do think that Notre Dame will show that they are a top flight program who can stay with any team, they’re just not quite ready. Plus Ohio State did win it all last year.
Jon: These two hard fighting teams came up just short in the final weeks to put themselves in contention for a National Championship but will be a test for both teams. For Notre Dame this is a big stage for next season to show the committee that they are deserving even though they aren’t in a conference. Playing as an independent it is hard for teams like the Fighting Irish to get a bid, even though they play teams such as USC, Clemson, Stanford and Temple this season. Now with the reigning National Champions the Ohio State Buckeyes, they were up and down all season, going through quarterback struggles, not giving the ball to their All- American running back and just never seemed on the same page week in and week out. Although the team only suffered one loss and it is to the team that is playing in the playoff, it came at the worse time for the Buckeyes. They were eliminated from playing in the conference championship game which killed their shot for repeated as champions. Now these two power houses will face off and I have said for a week now this is the game people will want to see and we have it.
Rose Bowl: Iowa vs. Stanford –
Mike: Iowa
Jon: Stanford
Mike: Iowa is a complete team with talent everywhere. Stanford is a solid team that can contend against most teams, but I think Iowa is much better. The biggest factor is Stanford’s offense working against Iowa’s defense. I just think Iowa will be too physical for Stanford to stay with them the whole game.
Jon: Now with these two teams who have slipped under the radar, until the last few weeks. Starting with Iowa, the Hawkeyes have showed they can play with the best of the best, and going undefeated in regular season play. Loosing to one of the toughest teams I believe in College Football, in Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game, knocked them out of the playoff and into the Rose bowl. Now I didn’t think this team was good until I watched them play last week and I rightfully said I was wrong this team is a hard nosed football team that can hit you with a big play on offense or hit you hard on defense. These Hawkeyes are looking to put a big stamp on this historic season and what better place than in the Rose Bowl. Stanford has been a tough team, suffering a big loss to Northwestern in the beginning of the season and then Oregon later on in the season, didn’t help their chances of getting in. But getting to a major bowl should be an accomplishment for the Cardinals, and playing a team such as Iowa, should be a game that comes down to the wire.
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss –
Mike: Oklahoma State
Jon: Oklahoma State
Mike: Both these teams showed how well they can play this year. I was very impressed with Chad Kelly’s ability to lead a team and the way the whole Oklahoma State team was able to separate themselves from the typical Big 12 style of play. I think Oklahoma State will win simply because they will out speed Ole Miss. They will work too quickly for Ole Miss to stay in it. But it will be close.
Jon: These two teams have been up and down all season, Oklahoma State seemed like they were running away with the Big 12 until they faces Baylor and Oklahoma where there winning streak came to an end. I’ve said it all year that the Big 12 is a run and gun offense and I still stand by it but this is the first year in a while I’ve actually seen teams play good defense especially Oklahoma State. As for Ole Miss they have had a streaky year, starting off four games strong and then loosing to a tough Florida team, then beating a playoff team in Alabama. It was just not there they suffered a loss to Memphis, and a loss to Arkansas did not help their case. This game will have a lot of lead changes and be high scoring.
Orange Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Clemson –
Mike: Clemson
Jon: Clemson
Mike: Clemson is the number one team in the country, but Oklahoma is very good. This will be a close game and may come down to who gets the last drive. But I think Deshaun Watson is the x-factor that puts Clemson over the top. Baker Mayfield is a good quarterback, but Watson may just be the Heisman Trophy winner.
Jon: Now to the College Football Playoff, this will be a game that will come down to a last minute field goal. It is going to be two teams who have fought so hard to get where they are right now and deserved to be here. Starting with Oklahoma, no one gave them a chance to go 6 and 6 after struggling against Tennessee and starting the season off rough and suffering an embarrassing loss to Texas. Overcoming a lot of the odds and fighting through the Big 12 and dominating the conference ever since the loss to Texas. Having a Heisman Trophy candidate helps a little bit too. Moving over to Clemson, what a story they have had this season, dominating the ACC and taking one game at a time and working themselves to a number one seed has been one of the biggest stories in college football. This game will feature two Heisman Trophy candidates and it will be very interesting to see these stellar quarterbacks go at it for 60 minutes.
Cotton Bowl: Alabama vs. Michigan State –
Mike: Michigan State
Jon: Michigan State
Mike: The best game of the bowls. Two very evenly matched teams, with stars on each side. But I think Michigan State has the edge for one reason: the mind of Connor Cook. Cook has such a mind for the game of football it’s unbelievable to me. Alabama’s Derrick Henry will have very good running game, but not good enough. Michigan State will take an early lead and hold out against an Alabama rally.
Jon: Onto the second of two College Football Playoff game, between honestly two of the best teams in college football this season. These two teams have battled and over come a lot of odds to be where they are today. Starting with Michigan State and the team I have ranted about that they should be in the playoff all year due to their body of work and how good of a team they really are. All year they have come outside the top five and finally they broke the barrier and are rolling right now. I wish this game would be the championship game but I am glad it is just going to be played. Alabama had the same expectations this season as they were the best team in the SEC this season. I truly had them at the top of the of the SEC all year. With them playing as a good of football as they have been playing they know they are ready for this stage. Loosing to Ohio State last season in this playoff they know how to handle it but it will be a dog fight and low scoring game with two beastly defenses.
National Championship:
Mike: Michigan State vs. Clemson – Michigan State
Jon: Michigan State vs. Clemson – Michigan State
Mike: MSU will add the title to their resume. I just think they’re too good and they are the only offense that can match Clemson’s. It will go similarly to their game against Alabama, early lead and defend against waves of attack in the second half. The Spartans have the team to do it and Clemson will unfortunately have to go home without the title they deserve.
Jon: I believe these two team will be playing for the National Title because they are the power houses of college football. I believe Dabo Sweeny will have those boys riled right up for the game and Mark D’antonio will have his guys ready to go. This game will be low scoring and a lot of interesting plays. Anyone who misses this game will be missing out on a great game other than last year when Ohio State ran away with the National Title.
The Sports Buster 