2021 College Football Playoff & Heisman Predictions

Week 0 is upon us, and college football is officially here. We now get to see who can live up to all the offseason hype, who can come out of nowhere to surprise people, and of course we have the Texas’s of the world, the disappointments. Every year in the college football playoff we have the same programs we are used to seeing and from time to time there are some outliers that make the field. This year’s predictions seem as wide open as they have been for a while. Who will we have in our field and winning it all? Let’s find out.

College Football Playoff:

Semifinal 1: (No.1) Ohio State vs (No.4) Alabama

I believe Ohio State has every piece to the puzzle to be a national champion this year. The only question mark on this roster is how good can freshman QB Stroud catch onto college football and what will the secondary look like this year. These are problems that need fixed, but the Buckeyes will be fine to go 12-0 or 11-1 in the regular season and then a Big Ten championship victory over Wisconsin.

It is hard to imagine a playoff without Alabama in it anymore. It has only happened once since the beginning of the four-team playoff. Just betting against them would not be a smart bet. They have holes to fill this year, like they do every year, and the offense could certainly take a step back this year. The defense will be extremely good, and I can only see the Crimson Tide losing two games on their schedule until the postseason. If Alabama was 11-2 heading into the playoff, do you really think the committee would leave them out?

Prediction: Ohio State over Alabama 35-21

Semifinal 2: (No.2) Oklahoma vs (No.3) Georgia

Yes, this means no Clemson in the college football playoff. First, let’s start with Oklahoma. They have the most complete team that they have had at Oklahoma in a while. They can make the playoff but then end up getting embarrassed. That is different this year when you look at some of the guys, they have on the defensive side of the ball to go with the firepower offensively. Iowa State could cause some trouble for them in the regular season, and they seem to always trip up at least once in the regular season. The Sooners will be 12-1 heading into the playoff with a Big 12 title under their belt.

Georgia versus Clemson in week one might be who fills in this number three spot in the playoff. Only thing that makes me feel safer with Georgia than Clemson is that if Clemson does lose to Georgia or slips up anytime in their ACC schedule, they are automatically devalued. That isn’t anything against them, but more so the ACC and their weak schedule. The best team Clemson will play after Georgia is Florida State? Boston College? Either way if they drop two games this year, they’re out. Even if Georgia loses week 1, the difficulty of the SEC will allow them to make up ground and make the playoff. Especially if they win the SEC title game. JT Daniels is who will carry this team and give them an offense for the first time in a while that will open things up for them. Now, can Kirby Smart win the big game?

Prediction: Oklahoma over Georgia 27-21

National Championship Prediction:

Oklahoma over Ohio State 35-31

Heisman Winner:

Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler

It’s hard for me not to pick the man that would lead my national champion to a title as the Heisman favorite. If Oklahoma is going to go as far as I think they will, it will be on the shoulders of the already leading Heisman favorite Spencer Rattler. Rattler showed early on in his freshman year that he can make mistakes and turn the ball over. Then he caught on to defenses and how they were playing him and changed everything. He finished the year great, and I think will have another spectacular year.

Other guys I considered were Sam Howell, JT Daniels, and Matt Corral. JT Daniels was in the conversation because Georgia should be a lot better this year and that is thanks to him if they are able to get to the playoff. Matt Corral was considered because he will just put-up numbers in that offense. Lane Kiffin will get him the stats that he needs to be a Heisman winner, but I don’t think Ole Miss can be that great overall as a team. Lastly, Sam Howell. I love Sam Howell and think he is the best long term QB in college football right now. He will be a better NFL pro than he was in the NCAA. However, UNC just won’t be able to do enough for him to get the recognition he deserves. He will more than likely be a finalist for this trophy but unless North Carolina can run the table and push Clemson for the ACC championship, he will not win this award.