Section 400’s College Football Championship Week Roundtable

Happy Saturday to all that celebrate! As they do every Saturday, the guys from Section 400 will go through the top storylines heading into the monstrous slate on each College Football Saturday. Today’s edition is extra special, as we have the final full set of games before the College Football Playoff is released.

Find out below what Section 400 writers Brian Hauch, Jack Albanese, Matt Kolen, and Zach Meyers are most intrigued about in the season’s final week.

Witching Hour

After a long summer and fall we have finally reached championship week. Which contest(s) are you most looking forward to this weekend?

BH: All season I wanted to see BYU and Colorado battle it out in the BIG 12 Championship. Neither program managed to make it this far. I’ll be the biggest Clemson fan in the world on Saturday, simply because I’m assuming a win from the Tigers wouldn’t knock their opponent, No. 8 ranked SMU, out of the 12-team picture. That probably kicks Alabama out of the picture, which would put a super big smile on my face. I’ll also be rooting for Penn State, as much as I hate to say it, against Oregon just for the chaos it would create in the first-round. We also have a fun ‘Battle of Ohio’ in the MAC Championship on Saturday afternoon between Ohio and Miami (OH).

JA: Obviously Texas vs. Georgia because they’re two of the better teams in the country. I’m also keeping an eye on Clemson vs. SMU. That outcome could have major implications on which 12 teams make the CFP.

MK: It’s the Mountain West Championship between Boise State and UNLV. I want to see Boise make a magic run and go all the way.

ZM: Huuuuuuge UNLV vs Boise state and Huuuuuugeee Clemson vs Smu games have my attention.

Control the Chaos

We have gone back and forth debating which teams make their way into the final Playoff field for months on the podcast. Now that we are finally here it’s time for everyone to give a final prediction. What will the 12-team field look like come the final rankings on Sunday?

BH: If you’ve followed along for the year-plus we’ve been a brand, you probably know by now my predictions aren’t exactly known to be accurate. I’ll still give it the ol’ college try though. The four byes will go to (1) Oregon, (2) Georgia, (3) Boise State, and (4) Clemson. In the first round, No. 5 Texas will host No. 12 Arizona State, No. 6 Penn State will welcome No. 11 SMU to Happy Valley, No. 7 Notre Dame will battle No. 10 Indiana, and No. 8 Ohio State will take on No. 9 Tennessee.

JA: Oregon, Texas, Boise State, and Clemson get the byes and they’ll be ranked in that order. Notre Dame checks in at No. 5 with Penn State ranked at No. 6, Georgia at No. 7, Tennessee at No. 8, Ohio State at No. 9, Alabama at No. 10, Indiana at No. 11, and Arizona State at No. 12.

MK: (1) Oregon (2) Texas (3) Boise State and (4) Clemson get the byes. Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana, and Iowa State round out the field.

ZM: (1) Oregon, (2) Georgia, (3) SMU, and (4) Arizona Sate get the first-round bye. Notre Dame, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana, Alabama, and UNLV finish out the field in that order.

Confetti

I know we have plenty of football left but let’s look ahead. Which team is taking home the ‘Natty’ this season?

BH: I gave out Tennessee as my way too early National Champion early in the season but I am absolutely terrified of the Volunteers staring a first-round matchup with Ohio State in the face. The Buckeyes are coming off a historically bad loss to Michigan and the extra week of rest gives Ryan Day an opportunity to light a fire under his team that nearly beat Oregon earlier in the season. I’ll take the Buckeyes as my pick.

JA: Oregon is the clear favorite but give me Texas. I think their defense is going to be the difference maker in the Playoff.

MK: Boise State because they only lost to Oregon by 3 and that was early in the year. Let’s go Broncos!

ZM: The Indiana Hoosiers will shock the world! They are legit and the fan base is all in!

Let’s have a Saturday

Favorite bet(s) today?

BH: Army is a 4.5-point underdog this week against Tulane. Let me repeat that. The Army Black Knights, who have NEVER won a conference championship, have the opportunity to do so this weekend. Sports books are giving you a 4.5-point buffer. I am taking that buffer. I’ll also be betting the OVER 57.5 points in the Mountain West Championship between Boise State and UNLV. That game could finish 55-52.

JA: I’ll give out two. Oregon -3.5 (-105) and Clemson ML (+108)

MK: Clemson (+120) to beat SMU in the ACC Championship.

ZM: UNLV (+140) is going to beat Boise State.

Underdog

Which underdog shocks the world today?

BH: Georgia (+135) is a better football team than Texas. The Bulldogs are going to win the SEC.

JA: Boise State, Texas , Oregon , Clemson , Iowa State win their respective conferences.

MK: Is Clemson really an underdog? They can beat SMU and get in. The Tigers will do just that.

ZM: UNLV!