8-team simulated College Football Playoff: Who wins?

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: A general view from up high at mid-field during the open drive of the Clemson Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: A general view from up high at mid-field during the open drive of the Clemson Tigers against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Oklahoma
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 2: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half during the Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Auburn

Outside of Alabama vs. Ohio State, Oklahoma vs. Auburn may be the most fascinating of these four College Football Playoff games. It’s a battle of two gifted offenses, with quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Jarrett Stidham going head-to-head. Defensively, both teams had some questions. Especially for the Tigers in the SEC Championship and Oklahoma as the worst pass defense, statistically, in the country.

What separates these teams is consistency. Sure, the Sooner defense wasn’t great for most, if not the entire season, but the offense never slowed down. It was led by Heisman favorite Baker Mayfield, who delivered stellar performances against everyone in the Big 12. He capped this off with a four-touchdown game in the Big 12 Championship, potentially securing college football’s most prestigious trophy.

Stidham struggled against Georgia. While he did against other big-name opponents, too, facing Oklahoma’s secondary wouldn’t be the worst way to make up for it.

However, the status of running back Kerryon Johnson impacts the Tigers. He didn’t look 100 percent in the SEC Championship Game, after injuring his shoulder vs. Alabama. If he’s still not healthy for this playoff game, it means an aerial game is on the way, which favors Mayfield.

If that’s the case, Oklahoma wins and advances to the semifinals. It offers multiple looks on offense, with arguably the best player in the nation and a team that’s been almost impossible to top in shootouts.

Prediction: Oklahoma defeats Auburn, 42-21