So, to simulate the upcoming playoff committee, a number of VAVEL USA writers have gone through the playoff process, sticking the rules of the committee and here are the first results:
The playoff matchups:
#1 Mississippi State - #4 Alabama
Prediction: A lot of people are not taking Alabama seriously. Even before their loss to Ole Miss, pundits seemed to write them off as incomplete or fatally flawed. They are not as good as prior Saban teams, but the constant drain of talent would always have caught up with them eventually. That said, this 'Bama team is pretty dangerous and should not be taken lightly. The Bulldogs have some amazing players, but their strengths can be muted by Bama’s strengths.
Alabama 31, Miss State 20
#2 Ole Miss - #3 Florida State
Prediction: There is going to be a lot of Anti-SEC people in FSU’s corner. However, the biggest fight will be for Winston’s eligibility if his lawyer cannot stall things until after this game. Even if he plays, Ole Miss will give them fits on both sides of the ball. Expect a close game, but one that is not as close as the score shows.
Ole Miss 30, FSU 28
Title game: Ole Miss - Alabama.
Prediction: Do not give Saban a second shot at you.
Alabama 35-Ole Miss 21
The rest of the Playoff system bowls (note: this is based on the voting of who is the appropriate team at this moment):
Rose Bowl: Oregon - Michigan State. A rematch of one of the more entertaining games of the first part of the CFB season. Expect a better result for Oregon since they have Jake Fisher back. 38-24 Oregon.
Sugar Bowl: Auburn - Kansas State. Another fun rematch. Auburn squeaked out of Manhattan with a win but mostly thanks to a lot of early screw ups by the Wildcats. Kansas State 31-Auburn 27.
Orange Bowl: Notre Dame - Duke. An ACC-ish matchup. Duke cannot be underestimated and Notre Dame cannot be overestimated. Close, but the Irish just have too much. Notre Dame 48-Duke 35.
Cotton: Marshall - Georgia. Richt has the cold sweats for this one, knowing his history for big bowl games against lesser seen opponents. Marshall might come amped up for the game or they could be all pissed that Doc Holliday is leaving after the game for WVU. Georgia 42-Marshall 31.
Fiesta Bowl: TCU - Nebraska. Nebraska needs to keep it close so that they hope for a TCU screw up late. TCU 38-Nebraska 28.
Peach Bowl: Arizona - LSU. All things considered, LSU should be happy that they are here. Arizona is also, but do not know this place called “the East coast.” LSU 40-Arizona 21.