College Football Playoff 2016: Simluated eight-team bracket

By John Buhler | Dec 4, 2016

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is interviewed by CBS reporter Allie LaForce after the SEC Championship college football game against the Florida Gators at Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Florida 54-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes punter Cameron Johnston (95) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive end Chris Wormley (43) and safety Jordan Glasgow (29) after running on a fake punt at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Cotton Bowl: No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 6 Michigan Wolverines

Well, this one would be interesting. It would be a rematch of The Game between No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Michigan in the national quarterfinals. While Ohio State may have preferred to play this game against Michigan in the Rose Bowl, the Selection Committee would probably give it to the Pac-12 and Big Ten Champions to play in. Ohio State and Michigan did not win the Big Ten, so this one is in the Arlington for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Ohio State beat Michigan at Ohio Stadium in Columbus during rivalry week in double overtime, 30-27. The Buckeyes were able to beat Michigan in double overtime because of a converted fourth and one by quarterback J.T. Barrett. On the very next play, Ohio State running back Curtis Samuel would find game-winning pay dirt on a 15-yard scamper to beat Michigan in The Game.

It would almost never happen to see two arch rivals play head-to-head in back-to-back ball games. This would happen in the national quarterfinals in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Usually the team that loses the previous head-to-head matchup comes out victorious in the second meeting. The initial loser would harbor a great deal of resentment and expect Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines to give Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes everything in this rematch of The Game.

It would only seem fitting for fate to go in Michigan’s favor in this game. The Wolverines would convert a crucial fourth and one in double overtime. Mr. Everything Jabrill Peppers would take it to the house to beat the Buckeyes on a 15-yard scamper of his own. Michigan beats Ohio State by the inverse of the score of the 2016 installment of The Game in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Pick: Michigan 30, Ohio State 27 (2OT)

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