What’s up everyone! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

After what was one of the most exhilarating college football seasons to date, we conclude the 2023-2024 season with the last 4-Team College Football Playoffs (thank God). I know it’s a forgone conclusion, but the announcement of the fourth playoff team didn’t make sense.

I looked at the criteria for what it takes for four teams to qualify, and it needs a complete makeover because it sounds petty to the people that compared Florida State to TCU in the national championship. In my opinion, people didn’t pay much attention to TCU. That squad was at full strength and got clapped by a much better Georgia team, and yet people assumed Bama’s good at the “right time”. Did anyone watch the Iron Bowl? The game versus USF? I think the decision needs to go into full depth before making that claim. How do you prepare a third string quarterback in a week against a good Louisville defense? But what do I know? I’m just a college football freelancer who’s staying in his own lane.

I will tell you this though, I wasn’t alone. I talked to enough people (including an SEC fan and a few Texas fans) to know that they didn’t agree with the number four pick. Also, ESPN previewed the Michigan/Alabama matchup as one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. Yeah, it definitely tells you how the committee picked and who ESPN wanted, but I won’t go into too much depth involving some cahoots behind it. Not saying this isn’t a bad matchup because it could be great. But let’s remember Michigan got stomped in back-to-back college football playoff appearances now. Keep that in mind.

Anyway, the SEC hasn’t missed the college football playoff since its existence with Alabama appearing in their eighth playoff appearance (most all-time). Michigan makes their third straight playoff appearance and hopes to make it a game. Washington makes their second playoff appearance since 2016 and was the last Pac-12 team to ever make their appearance. Texas becomes the third Big 12 representative in the playoffs. Let’s get to some semifinal matchups and cross your fingers both work out simultaneously.

The Tide went through plenty of adversity since the offseason. The quarterback position was the biggest question and adversity that Nick Saban endured in his career. Jalen Milroe looked promising, and Saban spoke highly about his athleticism, his arm, and his speed. He was shown on various social medias of his arm talent and his throws during practices. But after a few mistakes during summer practices, Bama fans panicked. Could they put in Ty Simpson? Could they put in Tyler Buchner after a late transfer from Notre Dame? Those questions carried into the season. After the loss to Texas and being benched in favor of Simpson, Jalen had his own adversity. I even asked a Bama fan his opinion on who the starter should be. His answer was that a freshmen would be best if it’s going in that direction with new players. Well, Milroe wrote his own story and proved to people that he was the guy. After overcoming their October schedule, they managed to outplay LSU and Kentucky. Then, he overcame a nearly impossible 4th and 31 play to defeat Auburn and take the brakes off Georgia to win the SEC title. Does Bama have another adversity to overcome or are they the team to beat in the CFP and win another National title without Georgia, Ohio State or Clemson in their way?

Michigan played well, defeated teams they were supposed to, and survived November by defeating Ohio State and winning the conference championship for the third straight season. Quarterback JJ McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, and defensive back Nick Sainristil led the group from start to finish to become the overall seed for the first time in program history of the CFP era. There isn’t really much to say except the majority of the players must have that “Unfinished Business” mindset. They also have a huge chip on their shoulder with everyone against them over the whole Connor Stalions situation. I won’t explain that issue, but the team must play their A-game for Jim Harbaugh if he’s not returning next season. Blake Corum’s also playing his first full season as a full-time starter and without injury alongside an also healthy running back Donovan Edwards. The pass catchers are underrated, but pretty dang good. There’s not much introduction about their defense because they’ve been good consistently under coach Harbaugh. However, Michigan had two worst outings in their past two CFP appearances. They must find a way to play a full game and conclude this season with a National Championship for potentially Harbaugh’s final hoorah in Ann Arbor.

THE MATCHUP

Since 2015, Alabama hasn’t missed a National Championship game in their playoff appearances. It looks like the arrow’s pointing towards Bama because of their history, brand, and reputation. Makes sense. Bama’s playing at the right time, and Jalen Milroe’s slowly improving with each rep, each play, each drive, and each week. Michigan started playing football in November and still came through with big victories, earning their third straight win in The Game and Big Ten championship. JJ McCarthy’s back for his third straight playoffs and two as the starter, and the defense is as formidable as they were the past few seasons. While Alabama’s likely favored to win the playoffs and the whole thing, I’m giving Michigan one more chance. Blake Corum never got the opportunity in the playoffs in his last two appearances. He was a backup to Hassan Haskins in 2021 and was severely injured prior to the playoffs last season. He finally gets his shot and will make the most of it. Does anyone remember a guy named Ezekiel Elliott from Ohio State? I see plenty of that from Corum running down the Tide as much as possible and likely dominating too.

MY PICK: MICHIGAN

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I hate saying this as an Oklahoma fan, but Texas might be back. If they win the whole thing, I’ll agree with their “infamous” phrase. The Longhorns had playoff expectations this season and it felt like playoffs or bust for Steve Sarkisian. Well, they got their wish. The upset over Alabama was likely the writing on the wall, but they had to overcome the Oklahoma loss and Quinn Ewers’ injury before surviving the rest of their schedule to win the Big 12. Even though the Longhorns continues their foundation for the SEC next year, their goal was to make the playoffs. Despite losing Bijan Robinson to the NFL, they have Jonathon Brooks, CJ Baxter, and a bevy of running backs. Outside of their leading wide out Xavier Worthy, they had a plethora of pass catchers. Their defense may not be an elite bunch, but they’re built enough to tango with any of the top four teams. If these guys stay healthy throughout the run, this team’s a hard out for the semifinals and possibly the national championship. This would also be coach Sark’s biggest redemption and achievement of his coaching history.

Washington returned with a solid roster on both sides, yet they were underrated and underestimated. They were easily overlooked by Caleb Williams and USC, Bo Nix and Oregon, and even Oregon State. The Huskies were on a mission to prove they belonged, and Michael Penix and coach Kalen DeBoer can lead them there. Winning the Pac-12 was the mission and boy it was a battle within the conference. Whether it was the offense, defense, or special teams, the Huskies came through. None of the games were walk-offs outside of Cal. Oregon (twice), Arizona State, USC, Utah, Oregon State, and Washington State fired on all cylinders to only be denied. Washington’s a solid unit and DeBoer believed this team is playoff contenders. They return to the College Football Playoff after a seven-season drought. Does this Washington squad have what it takes to be that Pac-12 team to win the National Championship in the conference’s final year?

THE MATCHUP

The soon-to-be Big Ten and SEC team squares off in what should be a more intriguing playoff matchup. It’s also nice to see some newness and both teams have plenty to play for. Both offenses plan to assault each other throughout the game, but it’s likely a slow start because of the jitters and defense feeling each other out. Both star-studded QB’s will make the most of their opportunities with such plethora of weapons. Who could likely be the difference maker outside of those quarterbacks? That’s what it likely comes down to that helps their team win the game. It’s not an easy choice, but I’m giving the edge to Washington. Their team is lethal offensively, has impact players across the board defensively to attack the backfield in crucial moments, and they’re a resilient group. Coach DeBoer has a group setup for these big moments, and we expect another one from them.

MY PICK: WASHINGTON