Happy July! There is Buckeye Football next month! Conference media days are just a few weeks away as well. Now it’s team to analyze the upcoming season, and pick the participants to the inaugural twelve team playoff. You don’t have to explain as much as I will. A few rules when picking your teams:
1: The top Four teams must be conference champions from four different conferences.
2: A group of five team must make the bracket, most likely at the 12 seed.
3: Try to avoid rematches like the basketball tournament.
My Picks:
1 Seed: Georgia (12-1 loss at Texas, avenge loss in SEC championship)
The Dawgs are formidable again this year with a great QB in Carson Beck and an excellent O-Line. Combine that with a stellar defense as usual, Georgia with threaten for the championship again. It’s a difficult schedule, but the Dawgs are too talented to slip up often. They do have some questions at skill position though.
2 Seed: Ohio State (12-1 loss at Oregon, avenge loss in Big 10 Championship)
The Buckeyes have the best defense in the country heading into 2024, as well as possibly the best weaponry. The big question is Will Howard at QB and the offensive line play. If those work out, the Buckeyes should be the national favorites. It’s an easy noncon, and a three game schedule the rest of the way. This defense may rival 2021 Georgia as the best in recent memory.
3 Seed: Miami (12-1 loss at Louisville, beat Florida State in ACC Championship)
This has to be the year for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. The Canes easily have the best lines of scrimmage in the ACC, and got some nice pieces in the portal in Cam Ward and Damien Martinez. They start with a major pressure cooker game at Florida that they should win, and it’s a manageable schedule the rest of the way. If the Canes struggle again this year, Mario is likely on his way out.
4 Seed: Utah (12-1, loss at Oklahoma State, beat Kansas in Big 12 Championship)
Kyle Whittingham has a very old Utes team lead by QB Cam Rising who missed all last year with an ACL. Rising is a steadying hand with a solid run game, a great TE in Brandt Kuithe, and a stingy defense as usual. The Big 12 will be tightly contested, and I’m rolling with the oldest and best coached team.
5 Seed: Oregon (11-2, losses at Michigan and vs Ohio State in Big Ten Championship)
Dan Lanning has something cooking in Eugene and this may be one of the best Ducks teams in Oregon history. The Ducks have another veteran QB in Dillion Gabriel and great weapons in Evan Stewart, Tez Johnson, and Jordan James. The Ducks also have an underrated defense as well. As much momentum Oregon has, they need to win some bigger games and beat their rival Washington (similar to Ohio State). They do have a difficult schedule ahead in their new conference this year, but the talent should overcome that.
6 Seed: Texas 11-2 (losses vs Oklahoma, and Georgia in SEC Championship)
The Horns and Steve Sarkisian are building off of last year with another very strong team. Quinn Ewers is a good QB with great weapons and a very good O-Line. The defense will take a bit of a step back and life in the SEC will be way tougher, but Texas has a very solid program now.
7 Seed: Notre Dame (11-1, loss at Texas A&M)
The Irish brought Riley Leonard from Duke to solidify QB, and they have a very solid run game, even still losing several O-Lineman to the NFL. The Irish will also have one of the best defenses in the country this year. Notre Dame has a much easier schedule this year than usual with really the only challengers A&M, FSU, and USC. This is more of a schedule play that team play.
8 seed: Missouri (10-2 losses at Texas A&M and Alabama)
After a breakout 2023, the Tigers are returning another very good team, with the dynamic duo of Brady Cook and Luther Burden. The Tigers do lose some talent on defense, but this should be a very good offensive team. The schedule does shake out nicely as well.
9 Seed: Michigan (10-2 losses vs Texas and at Ohio State)
I know what you’re saying, but 2024 Michigan will be a worse version of 2023 Ohio State. Inconsistent to bad offense with Elite defense. Mason Graham may be the best defensive player in the country. Even with a very difficult schedule, the UM defense will win them games.
10 seed: Ole Miss (10-2, losses at LSU and vs Georgia)
The Rebels are going all in this year, acquiring some major talent in the portal, most notably Walter Nolan. The Rebs have a solid QB in Jaxson Dart, and Lane Kiffen will scheme up some points. Front seven of the defense will be very good and will have to hide the secondary. Very manageable schedule.
11 Seed: Kansas (11-2, losses to Kansas State and Utah in Big 12 Championship)
This is a bit of a WTH pick, but I love Lance Leipold and Jalon Daniels. The Jayhawks will have a very good offense, even after losing their OC to Penn State. The defense will be spotty, but Jalon Daniels is a dark horse heiman contender. Got a real nice draw in their schedule.
12 seed: Memphis (11-2 Loss vs Kansas State and Tulane)
Not much insight here, Memphis is the best team in the best non power 4 conference. Avenge loss to Tulane a week later in American Chamionship.
Just Missed:
Alabama: Can’t trust Milroe and major talent off the defense lost.
Texas A&M: Have arguably the easiest schedule in the SEC, but the Aggies are gonna blow it as usual.
LSU: Offense will be great again, but defense is still terrible.
Tennessee: Nico will pop, but will also blunder as well.
Penn State: Just don’t trust their offense, even with a new OC. Lost more than you realize on D.
Iowa: Old and a very easy schedule. Can go 11-1, but offense will still hurt them.
Matchups and picks:
First Round:
#12 Memphis @ #5 Oregon Oregon Wins
#11 Kansas @ #6 Texas Texas Wins
#10 Ole Miss @ #7 Notre Dame Ole Miss Wins
#9 Michigan @ #8 Missouri Missouri Wins
Second Round:
#1 Georgia vs #8 Missouri Georgia Wins
#2 Ohio State vs #10 Ole Miss Ohio State Wins
#3 Miami vs #6 Texas Texas Wins
#4 Utah vs #5 Oregon Oregon Wins
Semifinals:
#1 Georgia vs #5 Oregon Georgia Wins
#2 Ohio State vs #6 Texas Ohio State Wins
National Chamionship:
#1 Georgia vs #2 Ohio State Georgia wins and crowned National Champions.
