2021 College Football Playoffs
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As Saturday game days come to an end, the four qualifying teams to compete in the 2021 College Football Playoffs have been decided. With a season full of notable performances and remarkable upsets, watching the road to making the Playoffs has been nothing less than extraordinary. The Cincinnati Bearcats take the #4 spot and will play the top-ranked and defending national champions Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl Classic. While #3 ranked, Georgia will face the #2 ranked Michigan Wolverines in the Orange Bowl. Here are some season highlights and game predictions to consider before watching these teams attempt to advance and compete for the CFP National Title.
1. Alabama
2. Michigan
3. Georgia
4. Cincinnati
COTTON BOWL GAME
Alabama Season Overview
After a nail-biting season from beating numerous top 25 ranked teams to one loss against Texas A&M and recently ending the regular season with a blowout win against Georgia in the SEC championship, the Crimson Tide holds the top spot heading into the CFP Playoffs.
It wouldn't be fair to talk about the Crimson Tide's outstanding season without giving credit to Heisman trophy winner freshman Bryce Young now has the most passing yards in a single season as an Alabama quarterback. Young's drive has undoubtedly motivated the team to become a powerhouse; however, the road to the top has not been seamless.
Earlier in the season, the Crimson Tide suffered a devastating loss to Texas A&M in a close battle resulting in a score of 38-41. Additionally, the team struggled against their rivals, the Auburn Tigers, where Alabama barely won in a 4OT game. Although Alabama did win this game, fans and analysts began to question why it was so challenging for the Crimson Tide to win and if they would have a chance to make it to the playoffs.
Despite a few bumps, even as underdogs, the Crimson Tide was determined to do anything to establish themselves as #1. The SEC championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs gave the Crimson Tide the perfect opportunity to do so. Alabama undoubtedly beat the Bulldogs in an impressive 41-24 win, and if they can beat Cincinnati in the upcoming Cotton Bowl, Alabama could potentially face Georgia again in the CFP championship game.
Cincinnati Season Overview
For the first time in program history, the Bearcats have a shot at winning the 2021 playoffs. Not only is Cincinnati the first non-Power five school in over ten years to compete in the playoffs, but they are also the only team in the final four to have gone a completely undefeated season.
Despite an impressive 13-0 record and an effortless win against Huston in the ACC conference game, the Bearcats have struggled to prove themselves as the best due to a season lacking opportunities to play other top-ranked teams. Cincinnati had few notable wins aside from beating Huston (35-20) and Notre Dame (24-13), which placed the bearcats as the 4th ranked team, setting them up to play the top-ranked team Alabama to qualify for the National Championship.
Through it all, the committee has given Cincinnati the opportunity to compete in the playoffs and a chance to upset the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Bearcats will come in as the underdogs but Cincinnati has the golden opportunity to prove that they deserve although the odds may be against them.
If Cincinnati wants to beat Alabama, they must utilize their defense which has played to their strengths in the past. Cincinnati will need to stop Alabama’s offense early in the game to avoid playing catch-up in the second half, and although Alabama may have the upper hand in the polls, we have seen time and time again upsets happen this season. And who says there won’t be another? Cincinnati has had a historic season, and this will be an exciting game to see if their journey will continue.
WHO WILL WIN?
My guess: Alabama
ORANGE BOWL GAME
Michigan Season Overview
Until the famous Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry game played on a chilly morning in the big house, nobody truly knew the skill and power Michigan had. Led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines took down Ohio St. in an impressive (45-27) win.
What makes it better? Michigan has not beaten Ohio St. once in the past eight years' and will be their first win against the buckeyes under Harbaugh's 5 years of coaching. Winning this game
moved Michigan up to the two spot just before the BIG 10 conference game and playoff team selection.
Throughout the season, Michigan comfortably won games against teams in the Big 10; however, the team had a similar problem to Cincinnati, although they were winning their schedule lacked playing against competitive teams. Unlike Georgia and Alabama, Michigan did not play another top-ranked team until the Ohio St. rivalry. Additionally, Michigan earlier in the season suffered a loss to Michgian State in what shouldve been a blow out win that made many question if the wolverines had a chance at making the playoffs.
After beating Ohio St. Michigan became the only contender from the BIG 10 conference to qualify for the playoffs and solidified their spot in the playoffs beating Iowa (42-3) in the BIG 10 conference game. The team will now begin their road to the CFP championship playing #3 ranked Georgia in the Orange Bowl.
Michigan hasn’t had many opportunities to play top-ranked teams like Georgia; however, the wolverines have proven they deserve a spot in the playoffs and will be an exciting game to watch.
Georgia Season Overview
The Bulldogs are the top dogs this year. Since the beginning of the regular season, Georgia has maintained an undefeated regular season (12-0) for the first time since 1982, only suffering one loss against Alabama in the SEC championship. Georgia continued to rank #1 in almost every poll posted throughout the season and destroyed many other top-ranked teams in the SEC.
Although the bulldogs put up high numbers in almost every game, there was still competition, such as the season opener against the Clemson Tigers. Even without QB Trevor Lawrence, the tigers gave the Bulldogs the closest competition they would see all season in an unpredictable low-scoring game where Georgia pulled out a (10-3) win. Overall, it was not an ideal game for either team. Still, it allowed Georgia to play a highly ranked team at the beginning of the season, giving the bulldogs the ability to be considered one of the top teams in the country.
After a close game, Georgia never looked back, only allowing a total of 83 points scored against them in a single season. Not only has their defense proven notable, but their offense has been unstoppable which was exhibited in the (45-0) win against state rival Georgia Tech.
Georgia proved themselves every week, keeping their coveted number one spot until the SEC championship against Alabama. It’s hard to know if Alabama is a better team or if Georgia never got into their groove, but in a shocking (24-41) loss, the Bulldogs are now the #3 seed going into the playoffs. It is likely they are the ranked #3, so they would avoid playing Alabama in the first round of the playoffs right after the SEC game.
Instead, Georgia will play Michigan in the Orange Bowl and, if they win, will likely have a road to redemption against the crimson tide and a national title. However, Michigan is a strong team, and these two teams have not crossed paths before due to different conferences, but it will be a good game and strong competition from both sides.
WHO WILL WIN?
My guess: Georgia