Taking a look at the College Football Playoff picture

Colby Marchio

With rivalry week upon us this coming Saturday, and championship weekend following after, the college football season will have quite the exciting finish. The top teams in the country are fighting for a top-four spot to make it to college football’s brightest stage.

As of right now, Ohio State is at number one, LSU at number two, Clemson at number three, and finally Georgia at four. My guess is these rankings stay the way they are until championship weekend rolls around unless someone gets upset this Saturday, which can happen. This is college football, however, and anything can happen, but with who these four teams are facing this weekend, they should not have issues with staying where they are in the rankings.

This weekend’s matchups have Ohio State in Ann Arbor to play 10-ranked, Michigan. Ohio State is the real deal, with their defense being one of the best in the country, if not the best. Although Michigan only allows almost 1.8 sacks a game, I still See Chase Young getting to the quarterback with ease. I expect him to ball all over the backfield pressuring Michigan’s quarterback Shea Patterson. I do not think Michigan will be that much of a threat to the Buckeyes this weekend. The Wolverines struggle against good teams, although they beat at the time number eight ranked Notre Dame, we see time and time again Notre Dame is fraud team. Michigan also lost to Penn State, who at the time was ranked seventh in the country, 28-21. Ohio State beat Penn State 17-28. In addition to that, Wisconsin beat Michigan earlier in the season 14-35. Ohio State walked all over Wisconsin when they played them in week 8, 7-38. Final score prediction 42-21 Ohio State.

Final score prediction: 42-21 Ohio State.

The LSU Tigers will match up against Texas A&M at Death Valley. I see LSU having no issues rolling right through the Aggies. Heisman front runner Joe Burrow should have an unbelievable game. Not saying A&M is a bad team, they have put up a solid fight against some of the best teams in the country. They lost to Clemson by 14, Auburn by 8, and Georgia by 6. Two of the three teams I listed are still in the top four, but the Aggies have allowed some of the nation’s best quarterbacks have some games against them through the air. Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa threw for almost 300 yards when they played them, and Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence threw for almost 270 yards. Both threw higher than their usual game averages. This game should turn out to either be a close game or a blowout. Final score prediction 24-35 LSU. “Geaux Tigers!” Coach O voice

Final score prediction 24-35 LSU.

Following that, the Clemson Tigers head to Columbia, South Carolina, to go up against the unranked Gamecocks. I see Clemson having no issues beating the (4-7) Cocks. However, the Cocks did beat Georgia this season. Yes, they barely won 20-17, but a win is a win against an outstanding Georgia team. I also know what you are thinking you smart college football fan you! “But Clemson has not played anyone ranked all season.” Which is true. They have only had one close game, which was at North Carolina week five. Besides that game and their win against Texas A&M week two, they have put up at least 50 points per game. This is Clemson, they have been one of the most successful programs in college football in the last four years. South Carolina also lost to Tennessee by 20 points. Tennessee has not been relevant since Peyton Manning was their quarterback.

Final Score predictions 38-20 Clemson.

Finally, the Georgia Bulldogs head to Atlanta to go up against the unranked the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets are the worst team in the ACC, as they currently sit at (3-8). They have not played anyone special besides Virginia Tech, and they lost 45-0. Georgia is going to have a cakewalk into the SEC championship. Expect Jake Fromm to have a field day against a defense that allows 30 points a game, while the Georgia defense holds the Jackets under 15 points.

Final Score predictions 45-10 Georgia.