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College Football Playoff: 8 Potentially Intriguing Match-ups

By Mike Ferguson

Oct 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) prepares to throw a pass against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter at Levi
Oct 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) prepares to throw a pass against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter at Levi /
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The College Football Playoff continues to take shape — here are some intriguing potential matchups.

We’re less than two weeks from knowing which four teams will make up college football’s first playoff as rivalry week and championship week will bring about the conclusion of the 2014 regular season. At the moment, Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Mississippi State are set to make up the four-team field, but with two weeks left, a lot can change. Here are a look at potential playoff match-ups that could bring a lot of intrigue:

Baylor vs. TCU

Reason: High-Scoring Rematch
It’s unlikely that Baylor and TCU each make college football’s first playoff, but this would be a fan of offense’s dream. Baylor handed TCU its only loss of the season back on October 11th in a 61-58 Bears victory. The teams combined for 129 points and 1,267 yards. The Horned Frogs let a 58-37 lead slip away in the final quarter which could ultimately be what keeps TCU from a shot at the national title.

Mississippi State vs. Ohio State

Reason: Dan Mullen vs. Urban Meyer
A contest between Mississippi State and Ohio State would essentially pit teacher versus student. Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and Ohio State head man worked together to win a pair of national championships at the University of Florida. Mullen was Meyer’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for title teams in 2006 and 2008. Mullen was Meyer’s quarterbacks coach at Utah as well when the Utes completed a perfect season in 2004.

Oct 25, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama vs. Florida State

Reason: Nick Saban vs. Jimbo Fisher
It would be another teacher versus student match-up if Alabama were to face Florida State at any point in the first college football playoff. Had it not been for a long missed field goal return from Auburn’s Chris Davis, this contest may have taken place last season. Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher served as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator during LSU’s run to the 2003 BCS title. Since then, Saban and Fisher have combined to win four of the last 11 national championships as head coaches.

Florida State vs. Oregon

Reason: Jameis Winston vs. Marcus Mariota
Should Marcus Mariota go on to win the Heisman Trophy as most believe he will, this would be a contest of Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks. Heisman Trophy winners have met before with everything on the line. In 2004, USC’s Matt Leinart got the best of Jason White and Oklahoma. Following the 2008 season, Tim Tebow and Florida edged the Sooners, who were led by Sam Bradford, that year’s Heisman Trophy winner. While Mariota may grab this year’s Heisman, Florida State’s Jameis Winston would enter this contest 26-0 as a starter.

Baylor vs. Oregon

Reason: The Offenses
Two of the nation’s top three scoring teams, a contest between Baylor and Oregon would be expected to be played in the 40s. Baylor’s Bryce Petty leads the nation’s premier scoring offense while Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Ducks have been held under 40 points just twice all season. Points in a contest like this would hardly be at a premium and fans watching at home probably wouldn’t have much time to blink.

Florida State vs. Ohio State

Reason: FSU vs. Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer spent seven years at Florida State’s rival school, Florida. Meyer was able to dominate the Seminoles for six straight seasons, but a 31-7 FSU victory in 2010 — Florida State’s first year under Jimbo Fisher — would be the final game for Meyer before resigning as the head man in Gainesville. Meyer may be 6-1 in his career against the Seminoles, but is currently 0-1 against Jimbo Fisher.

Alabama vs. Oregon

Reason: Alabama Defense vs. Oregon Offense
This seems to be among the playoff match-ups that everyone wants to see. Many have questioned how Oregon’s offense would hold up in the SEC, but the Crimson Tide over the last few seasons have struggled with uptempo, spread attacks. Auburn and Oklahoma each defeated Alabama a season ago and Texas A&M got the better of the Tide the year before in Tuscaloosa. How Marcus Mariota and Oregon fared against an Alabama team that has yielded the second fewest points in the country would certainly be a showdown worth watching.

Mississippi State vs. Oregon

Reason: Dak Prescott vs. Marcus Mariota
Watching a duel between Heisman hopefuls in Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota would certainly be entertaining. Both are dual-threats, but with different styles. Both are very good passers, but Mariota has the ability to run away from defenders while Prescott typically tries to run through them.

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