With the college football season reaching its pinnacle, all eyes are on the College Football Playoff.
Pasadena braces for a seismic clash as No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Alabama collide in the Rose Bowl. The Wolverines boast a strong defense that will be tested by the Tide’s Jalen Milroe. It’s likely to be a defensive showdown, and opinions are divided on which team will emerge as the winner.
The Sugar Bowl will feature a showdown between No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas, which promises to be a high-scoring game fueled by strong offenses.
The playoff picture is shaping up, and anticipation is building. All eyes are on the remaining teams, wondering which one will book their ticket to the national championship. So, without further ado, here’s a look at The Comeback’s staff predictions for the CFP.
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
This feels like a game where Nick Saban and Alabama will try to take Blake Corum out of the game and make J.J. McCarthy beat them, throwing the ball. And I think the Tide might succeed with that plan. But the Michigan defense has been top-notch all year. This included against Ohio State, where the Wolverines surrendered a big day to Marvin Harrison Jr. but kept the other Buckeyes in check. I fully expect a low-scoring game here and ultimately believe the Michigan defense prevails.
Prediction: Michigan 20, Alabama 16
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
Conventional wisdom in a game like this is to find what the opposing team most likes to do, take it away from them, and make them beat you elsewhere. I’m just not sure where you do that with Washington. The Huskies have too many offensive weapons that can take over a game. That’s not to say that Texas has no chance. The Longhorns have a strong defense and should be able to move the ball offensively against Washington. But given the weapons around him, it’s hard to go against Michael Penix Jr.
Prediction: Washington 30, Texas 24
National Championship Prediction: Washington 23, Michigan 20
— Michael Dixon
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
I’m very hesitant to bet against Nick Saban, but Michigan is the best team in college football entering the CFP. The Wolverines can beat you in so many ways, led on offense by as good of a QB-RB duo as you’ll find in the country with J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum. And defensively, the Wolverines are particularly excellent, leading the nation in the fewest points allowed per game (9.5). Jim Harbaugh comes away with a signature, elusive win at Michigan en route to the national title game.
Prediction: Michigan 23, Alabama 20
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
This game has the makings of a shootout that should feature each team scoring in the 30s. While Texas is a 4.5-point favorite, I can’t help but side with Washington’s lethal duo of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Rome Odunze. And every time I’ve doubted the Huskies this season (like vs Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship), they’ve found a way to win. I won’t doubt Washington this time.
Prediction: Washington 38, Texas 34
National Championship Prediction: Michigan 27, Washington 20
— Matt Clapp
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
It’s tough to bet against Nick Saban, who has arguably done his best coaching job with this Alabama team. Nevertheless, Michigan has translated its Wolverines vs. Everybody mindset into an unbreakable belief that they cannot be beaten. Jim Harbaugh’s team is playing with unwavering confidence. One of my biggest concerns is J.J. McCarthy’s performance before and after the resignation of Connor Stalions. It may seem trivial, but it could significantly impact the game. I believe that Harbaugh, who has struggled in Playoff games before, can secure finally get over the hump with the help of a championship-level defense and Blake Corum.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Alabama 20
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
The Longhorns will likely rely on their running game and defense to control the tempo, while Washington will try to exploit mismatches with their high-powered passing attack behind Michael Penix, Jr. and Rome Odunze. Ultimately, I think Texas’ experience and overall balance will be the difference in a close contest.
Prediction: Texas 34, Washington 27
National Championship Prediction: Texas 22, Michigan 17
— Sam Neumann
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
Maybe the best thing No. 1 Michigan has going in the CFP is their “Us Against the World” mentality. But that intangible can only take them so far. Alabama’s defensive front seven is scary. The Wolverines’ ground attack has lost some potency, and J.J. McCarthy hasn’t topped 150 passing yards in the last four games. Michigan’s offense will need to open up to keep pace with the Crimson Tide, which might be asking too much.
Prediction: Alabama 27, Michigan 17
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
This feels like a game where the last team with the football wins. Both the Huskies and Longhorns boast big-play offenses. Washington averaged 7.23 yards per play this season, fifth in FBS; Texas wasn’t far behind at 6.65 YPP. If Washington is to pull the upset here, the defense must force some turnovers to create extra possessions for Michael Penix Jr. and his arsenal. Texas QB Quinn Ewers had three turnovers against Oklahoma in the Longhorns’ only loss this season, but he’s coming off a 452-yard passing performance in the Big 12 title game.
Prediction: Texas 42, Washington 38
National Championship Prediction: Texas 30, Alabama 24
— Arthur Weinstein
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
This is a National Championship-level game on name alone between these two blue-blood programs. Simply put, it is hard to count out Nick Saban in this matchup. Michigan has perhaps the best defense in the country that has stifled Big Ten offenses all season. But I believe the caliber of Alabama athletes on the field will allow them to move the ball offensively quickly. On the flip side, Michigan’s offense has shown to be somewhat inconsistent at times this season, and I believe that Alabama’s defense could limit them to a slow start offensively in this matchup. Give me Alabama to come away with a tight, low-scoring victory to advance to the National Championship.
Prediction: Alabama 24, Michigan 21
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
These two teams rank eerily similar in offensive production this season, with Texas ranking ninth in the country in overall yards-per-game and Washington sitting tenth. However, the two teams go about it in entirely different ways. Texas has a more balanced approach with a threat on the ground and through the air, while Washington prefers to let Michael Penix Jr. air it out down the field. Washington’s offense could always find a way to keep up with Texas and make this a game. But I believe Texas will be able to find more success with multiple ways of moving the ball offensively, ultimately leading them to a competitive win to advance to the National Championship.
Prediction: Texas 34, Washington 27
National Championship Prediction: Texas 31, Alabama 28
— Reice Shipley
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
Michigan, Alabama, and the Rose Bowl Game. If you’re a college football traditionalist like me, it’s hard to imagine a better scenario (other than maybe Washington here instead, to preserve the Pac-Big Rose Bowl tie-ins; it used to all be so much better).
Michigan and Alabama have taken different paths to get here. The Wolverines made it through one of the most exciting journeys in recent college football history. Michigan is 13-0, and, to this point, you must tip your cap to them. You rarely see a group rally around like this, even through all the hubbub.
Alabama got here not by their usual dominant ways but instead after gutting things out. ‘Bama handed Georgia its first loss in many moons in the SEC Championship and turned their way into this one.
Both of these teams have huge national interest. This game will likely be one of the most-watched Rose Bowl Games ever, if not THE most-watched. No matter what here, I’d probably pick the winner of this game to win it all. If Michigan can take the top off Alabama’s defense and not get beaten deep, they’ll have a great shot. They do have a great pass rush, and getting after Jalen Milroe could be the key to victory.
Michigan 27, Alabama 23
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
As an Oregon fan, keeping up with Washington this season became almost an obligation. The Huskies (sadly) went a perfect 13-0 (very sorry to hear that). After defeating the Oregon Ducks twice, they earned a Playoff spot for the second time in the CFP era, including a Pac-12 Title Game victory (don’t talk to me further about it). They’re a well-rounded team with star players on offense. Michael Penix Jr. has been dynamite, and Rome Odunze could have won the Biletnikoff Award this year.
Texas boasts a lot of talent and has looked great this year. The Longhorns passed every test except the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. They weren’t dinged up for that loss in the end, and have otherwise looked strong. Texas finally put it all together after years of nearly getting there. It’s probably good for the gander if a team like Texas is good (or, frankly, any team west of the Mississippi River. So this semifinal is a refreshing dip into the pool).
This game will almost certainly be won in the trenches. But on my best day, my worst day, or any average day, I must confess: I cannot pick Washington. I won’t do it. Go Horns.
National Championship Prediction: Texas 31, Washington 14
— Chris Novak
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
While we have plenty of evidence as to what Nick Saban-coached teams can accomplish with a month of game planning and preparation, this year may be different. If Michigan can get the running game going with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards early and perhaps open things up for a big passing play or two, the Wolverines will win. Alabama’s offense gelled quite a bit in the season’s final two months but seems to be lacking a true big-play skill player.
Michigan 20, Alabama 17
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas
While the defenses may outshine the offenses in the Rose Bowl, that likely won’t happen in New Orleans. Washington has one of the nation’s best QB/WR duos in Michael Penix Jr and Rome Odunze. The Huskies have answered every call this season, going undefeated in the Pac-12’s final year, including two wins over Oregon. Quinn Ewers and Texas average 475 yards of total offense per game, though, so Texas should be able to move the ball as well, especially with the news that top receiver Xavier Worthy will be playing. Worthy sprained his ankle in Texas’ Big 12 Championship victory over Oklahoma State.
Washington 38, Texas 35
National Championship Prediction: Michigan 27, Washington 20
— Robert O’Neill
