2020 NY6 and CFP Preview

The (not-so) regular 2020 college football season is over. Bowl games have begun, and it is almost time for the CFP to begin. I hope everyone is staying healthy this holiday season. Thanks for spending another year with me talking about college football!

My Record: 7-2 in conference championship games, 4-2 in NY6 games, 65-33 overall (66%!)

New Year’s Six and CFP Bowls
Cotton Bowl (Dec 30): 7Florida vs 6Oklahoma
It is unfortunate that this matchup is happening this year. This game should be a high scoring and crazy affair. I’m not saying that it won’t be that, but Florida’s top 3 offensive weapons have opted out. QB Kyle Trask is great and will still find guys to throw TDs to, but I worry that it won’t be enough. A win in this game would mean a lot more to Oklahoma than it would to Florida. I think this game will be a close one, but I think OU is riding their momentum from their Big 12 Championship. The Sooners are also very accustomed to playing at Cowboys Stadium.
I am picking Oklahoma
Final: 6Oklahoma 55 7Florida 20

Peach Bowl (Jan 1): 9Georgia vs 8Cincinnati
Like Florida, Georgia is losing some key players to opt outs. I think that says a lot about the mentality of the team. Georgia had their sights set on competing for the SEC Championship and making it back to the CFP. Their struggles at QB early on really hurt them. JT Daniels is finally healthy and would’ve made a huge difference if he had been able to play all season. Cincinnati came up short in the eyes of the committee despite being undefeated and winning their conference. (Isn’t it strange how they docked the Bearcats for not playing enough games but put Ohio State in the CFP having only played 6 total games?) I think Cincy is mad and would love nothing more than to show the committee they were wrong. Georgia on their best day would most likely beat Cincinnati on their best day, but I don’t think it will be Georgia’s best day.
I am picking Cincinnati
Final: 9Georgia 24 8Cincinnati 21

Fiesta Bowl (Jan 2): 25Oregon vs 10Iowa State
Honestly, I was very surprised to see Oregon beat USC to win the Pac 12. And to tell the truth, I don’t think the Ducks have really earned a NY6 berth. Indiana should be playing in this game. Well, just another reason I am 100% against automatic qualifiers. Oregon could definitely prove me wrong and win this game, but I just think Iowa State is a better all-around team.
I am picking Iowa State
Final: 10Iowa State 34 25Oregon 17

Orange Bowl (Jan 2): 5Texas A&M vs 13Northwestern
If this game was in the regular season, it could’ve been a great one. Northwestern will have to face this very good Texas A&M team without its three most potent offensive threats. Both RBs that rushed for 200+ yards against Miami (and each have 1,100+ rush yards on the season) have opted out as well as their leading WR. Their leading tackler is also opting out. I think the Aggies will win this game pretty comfortably.
I am picking Texas A&M
Final: 5Texas A&M 41 13Northwestern 27

CFP Semi: Rose Bowl (Jan 1) (Cowboys Stadium): 4Notre Dame vs 1Alabama
After seeing how poorly Notre Dame played against Clemson at full strength, I don’t think this will be much of a game. It is possible that this game could look like Alabama’s matchup against Georgia that was close early on but then was a blowout in the second half. I don’t think Notre Dame can score enough points to beat Alabama.
I am picking Alabama
Final: 1Alabama 31 4Notre Dame 14

CFP Semi: Sugar Bowl (Jan 1): 3Ohio State vs 2Clemson
I’m not sure that I agree with Ohio State making the CFP with only 6 total games played. They didn’t play great competition and they just didn’t play much, period. They are a good team and could very well be good enough, but they are much fresher than Clemson who has played 11 games. Clemson is the better team and I think they will win this game. Ohio State will probably come in with a chip on their shoulder because everyone is saying that they don’t deserve to be there. I don’t blame the other 3 coaches for being annoyed that they had to play almost twice as many games as the Buckeyes to get to the same place.
I am picking Clemson
Final: 3Ohio State 49 2Clemson 28

CFP National Championship (Jan 11): 3Ohio State vs 1Alabama
I was impressed with how Notre Dame played against the Tide, but the game wasn’t ever that close. Alabama looked great and like they are the best team in the country. Clemson, on the other hand, disappointed. The Tigers were blown out by Ohio State. It is highly possible that the entire ACC was overrated as a whole. I know this narrative is a bit overplayed, but I think Ohio State only having to play 6 games before the CFP gave them a huge edge. Alabama is stacked on offense. They have the Heisman winner in WR DaVonta Smith and they might also be getting back WR Jaylen Waddle back from his early season injury. This should be a great game. I think Alabama is just better, but they have played 12 games. The Buckeyes have the biggest chip on their shoulders and I think they will come out hot and will be ‘Bama’s toughest test this season.
I am picking Alabama

Other Bowl Scores
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Appalachian State 56 North Texas 28
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Nevada 38 Tulane 27
Boca Raton Bowl: 16BYU 49 UCF 23
New Orleans Bowl: Georgia Southern 38 Louisiana Tech 3
Montgomery Bowl: Memphis 25 FAU 10
New Mexico Bowl (Frisco, TX): Hawaii 28 Houston 14
Camelia Bowl: Buffalo 17 Marshall 10
First Responder Bowl: 19Louisiana 31 UTSA 24
Lending Tree Bowl: Georgia State 39 WKU 21
Cure Bowl: Liberty 37 12Coastal Carolina 34 /OT
Cheez-It Bowl: 21Oklahoma State 37 18Miami 34
Alamo Bowl: 20Texas 55 Colorado 23
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wisconsin 42 Wake Forest 28
Armed Forces Bowl: Mississippi State 28 24Tulsa 26
Arizona Bowl: Ball State 34 22San Jose State 13
Liberty Bowl: West Virginia 24 Army 21
Citrus Bowl: 14Northwestern 35 Auburn 19
Gator Bowl: Kentucky 23 23NC State 21
Outback Bowl: Ole Miss 26 11Indiana 20