The 2019 college football season is underway. Will this season see the same old teams advance to the College Football Playoff, or will we finally see some new teams in the mix?
Here are a pair of predictions for the 2019 College Football Playoff, along with the eventual national champions. Don't forget to catch the debut of Sports Extra on Saturday night immediately following Auburn vs. Oregon on ABC15!
ABC15.com sportswriter Shane Dale
In its five years of existence, the College Football Playoff has featured almost entirely blueblood programs. Year six is not likely to be much different.
It's easy to pencil in both Alabama and Clemson for the fifth straight season. Bama's path became a bit more complicated following the season-ending injury to star linebacker Dylan Moses, but the Tide should still role to a top-four finish -- and quarterback Trevor Lawrence should only be better for Clemson in his sophomore season after leading the Tigers to the 2018 national championship.
The last two spots will likely go to the winners of the Big 12 and Big Ten. The winner of the annual Red River Shootout between Oklahoma and Texas could have the inside track, and I lean toward QB Sam Ehlinger and the Longhorns in that matchup. In the Big Ten, the Ohio State-Michigan winner is likely to punch a ticket to the CFP. I'll go with Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines to finally get past the Urban Meyer-less Buckeyes.
Predictions: Alabama, Clemson, Texas, Michigan
Clemson over Michigan in CFP championship game
ABC15 real-time editor Clayton Klapper
Stop me if I sound like a broken record, but Clemson and Alabama are really, really good. And even though I want to make a bold prediction and choose a Pac-12 team or take Georgia in the SEC instead of Alabama, I just don’t think this is the year to do so.
I think this year will show even more than the last few seasons that successful college football teams are relying more and more on their quarterbacks. And two of the best in the country will meet again in the national championship this season, with Tua Tagovailoa getting his revenge against Trevor Lawrence.
Predictions: Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan
Alabama over Clemson in CFP championship game
