College Football: 25 bold predictions for 2016 season

College Football 2016: 25 bold predictions

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – JANUARY 10: Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers addresses the media during the Head Coaches Press Conference before the College Football Playoff National Championship at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn on January 10, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

1. A conference gets two playoff berths…and it isn’t the SEC

No conference has earned multiple playoff berths in the first two editions of the College Football Playoff, but that’s about to change in 2016.

The first conference that would come to mind in such a situation is the SEC, as it is still the best conference overall. However, the schedule sets up perfectly for the ACC to get two teams in the final four this season.

Both Clemson and Florida State begin the season ranked in the top four and are in the small group of definite playoff contenders. That’s a fair assessment for both teams, as Watson and the Tigers might just have the best offense in the nation, while Florida State retains much of a young team that went to the New Year’s Six in a “down” year last season.

The Tigers visit Florida State on October 29 in a game that will likely determine the ACC champion. While Clemson can’t afford a slip-up and still make the playoff, Florida State could afford a loss to the Tigers and end up in the top four anyway.

Florida State’s nonconference schedule allows it more leeway than some of the other playoff contenders. The Seminoles open with Ole Miss, which should finish third or better in the SEC West, and they close with potential SEC East champion Florida.

Such a scenario would require two conferences beating each other up too much to make it, which is entirely possible in the Pac-12, Big Ten or Big 12. This particular playoff also requires betting against Alabama, a risky proposition, but the Crimson Tide has a few questions to answer against a very difficult schedule.

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