Admin October 20, 2024
Nico Iamaleava celebrates Tennessee football win vs Alabama in field storm
Nico Iamaleava threw two touchdowns in Tennessee football’s 24-17 win against Alabama on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
Matt Hayes’ College Football Playoff bracket prediction.
1. Georgia: The best team in college football. All the Bulldogs need is motivation and doubt – and anyone but Alabama on the other sideline.
2. Oregon: Ducks are getting better every week because QB Dillon Gabriel is getting more comfortable in the offense.
3. Miami: Canes may not be among the top 10 teams in college football, but it doesn’t matter. Nor does an easy road with a fortunate schedule.
4. BYU: You can continue to ignore the Cougars or accept the beauty of an opportunistic defense and make-something-out-of-nothing QB Jake Retzlaff.
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5. Ohio State: Don’t let one loss at Oregon define this team. Buckeyes are as talented as any team in the nation.
6. Texas: Overlooked until the blowout loss to Georgia: Longhorns have now played one team of significance.
7. Penn State: Not sold yet on the Lions, whose biggest win is against an average USC team.
8. Tennessee: Now how bad does the loss to Arkansas look? If QB Nico Iamaleava finds accuracy, Vols are a dangerous CFP team.
9. LSU: Tigers finally playing more consistently on defense, giving up 63 combined points in the last four games to UCLA, South Alabama, Ole Miss and Arkansas.
10. Kansas State: This team is a long way from the ugly loss at BYU. A more complete team every week.
11. Indiana: Ignore the Hoosiers all you want. Kurtis Rourke is a hot quarterback, and the defense produces turnovers (five against Nebraska).
12. Boise State: Broncos get biggest Mountain West test of the season this week at UNLV. Win here, and they’ll likely host the MWC Championship Game.
First round gamesBoise State (12) at Ohio State (5)
Indiana (11) at Texas (6)
Kansas State (10) at Penn State (7)
LSU (9) at Tennessee (8)
Quarterfinals
Peach Bowl: Georgia (1) vs. LSU/Tennessee winner
Rose Bowl: Oregon (2) vs. Kansas State/Penn State winner
Sugar Bowl: Miami vs. Indiana/Texas winner
Fiesta Bowl: BYU vs. Boise State/Ohio State winner
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X @MattHayesCFB.
