College Football Playoff predictions after Week 1: Make way for Notre Dame

Here’s how the College Football Playoff picture is shaping up after the first full Saturday of the season.

It is only Week 1 of the college football season, but every game matters, including opening games. No matter if the top teams are playing schools most haven’t heard of or playing a non-conference powerhouse, every team is under the microscope.

Even as the playoff created a four-team system instead of a two-team BCS format, the margin of error is still very slim. Any loss can derail title hopes, and any big win can vault a team to the promised land. With one week nearly in the books, who would be in the college football playoff right now?  (It’s early, but it’s also never too early.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Their game isn’t quite done yet, but Alabama is currently mopping the floor with the Louisville Cardinals, who, despite losing Lamar Jackson, aren’t a bottom-dwelling team. The Crimson Tide continue to show why they are always the favorite and a near lock to make the College Football Playoff.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is picking up right where he left off from last season’s championship game, showing poise in the pocket and the power and vision as a runner. The backfield is still loaded, and Damien Harris is out to prove he can be the top running back in the country. The defense looks just as strong as they have been in years past, with Mack Wilson and Deionte Thompson leading the way. After a dominating performance, Alabama stays comfortably in the top spot.

2. Clemson Tigers

Clemson didn’t play a power five opponent like the rest on this list, but the Tigers did win in dominating fashion, dominating Furman 48-7 early on Saturday. The ACC favorite got significant reps for both quarterbacks in their opening tilt. Both Trevor Lawrence and Kelley Bryant looked good in their 2018 debuts, so not much was learned about who will play once ACC conference play gets rolling.

However, it is clear why this team is an overwhelming favorite to win the ACC and make the playoff. The defensive front looked very good today with Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell each getting to the quarterback once. No matter who the Tigers trot out at quarterback the rest of the way, this team is too loaded after one week to be left out of the playoff.

3. Auburn Tigers

This one may come as a shock to many, mostly because Clemson is included on here and they didn’t play anyone this week. However, it is impossible to ignore the win Auburn got today over the Washington Huskies. Some big-time programs take a risk by scheduling another ranked team on the opening weekend, and these Tigers ended up in a top 10 showdown in Atlanta. Many figured a defensive battle would ensue, and this game did not disappoint (unless fans were looking for lights out quarterback play).

Jarrett Stidham played a very solid game and didn’t force the ball too much. The Tigers did take advantage of the middle of the field to gain chunk plays to sustain drives. The defense, however, sealed the win. Washington’s Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin brought a ton of experience for the Huskies into this game, and the Auburn defense held Gaskin in check and got plenty of pressure on Browning, sacking him five times and forcing a bad pick. Auburn earns a spot with a huge win.

4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

This will probably be another shocker for college football fans. Again, it is very tough to ignore big-time wins against top programs on opening weekend. The Irish had plenty of questions coming into the season, and all week they heard about how dominant Michigan’s defense was and how this would be another letdown season.

Instead of folding to the Wolverines, the Irish came out and landed two big punches early on offense, one of which came on a spectacular catch in traffic by Chirs Finke. Wimbush played a very solid game overall on the ground and through the air, making the Wolverines defense look foolish at many turns.

However, it was the defense who put on a show, suffocating the Michigan offense and putting consistent pressure on Shea Patterson. Notre Dame still has some questions with their offensive line and running game, but if the defense plays this good, they will be a tough out all season long. Like Auburn, it’s only one week, but the Irish get a huge win to start their season against a top team that cannot be ignored.

Missed the cut: Wisconsin Badgers, Georgia Bulldogs

Is it too early to project who would make the College Football Playoff? Maybe so. However, having projections this early highlights big wins, which, as discussed briefly above, can change a team’s season. Auburn and Notre Dame both had significant wins today, which propel them into a playoff spot at the moment.

It is a long season, so plenty of weeks to come will ultimately decide the participants, but continue to take note of big games as we head onwards through the journey that is college football.