It’s Bowl Season, and that calls for two things, and two things only: controversy and predictions. This year, the NCAA FBS is featuring the first-ever College Football Playoff, in which the top four teams battle for the national title. This new playoff format calls for more anticipation, excitement, and controversy than ever before.

The NCAA announced who the four teams are that will compete in the College Football Playoff. No. 1 seed Alabama takes on No. 4 seed Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, and No. 2 seed Oregon will face off against third seed and undefeated Florida State in the Rose Bowl; both on New Year’s Day.

The first order of controversy exists inside the top four teams. Ryun believes that undefeated Florida State is in the “right spot” as the third seed. The last time FSU lost a game, Manti Te’o’s girlfriend was still real. Although the Seminoles’ wins have often lacked aesthetics this season, an ugly win is better than a pretty loss, and they
never lost. Rankings should simply reflect a team’s season
performance.

Another glaring controversy is the fact that TCU was bumped from the third seed to the sixth seed after a 55-3 win. This win did come against a powerless Iowa State team but that, of course, was out of their control. The drastic change in TCU’s ranking over the course of one week, in which they easily won their game, could mean only one thing: The selection committee made a mistake ranking them third originally. I feel that TCU’s drop was a combination of the committee’s mistake and Ohio State absolutely dominating a tough Wisconsin team 59-0 in their final game. They had an opportunity to “audition” for the final four, and they took full advantage.

Now that we’re past the main areas of controversy, it’s time for some predictions. I see Alabama flying past Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, simply because they are the most complete team in college football. With a stellar defense and a balanced offensive attack led by Blake Simms, Ohio State doesn’t stand a chance, especially with third-string quarterback Cardale Jones playing. Despite my rant about FSU’s ranking, I predict that Oregon will inch past Florida State in an extremely close game. The Seminoles have become accustomed to thrillers, but Oregon quarterback and Heisman frontrunner Marcus Mariota will be too much for FSU. These predictions mean that the BCS National Championship game will be a battle of the top two seeds, Alabama and Oregon; the game everyone has been dying to see since 2012.

The underdog Ducks will come out on top in the title game, with Marcus Mariota leading the flock. It’s hard to pick against a team led by the best player in all of college football. Mariota has passed for thirty-eight touchdowns with only two interceptions this season and has an unheard of passer rating of 186.3.

Despite Alabama’s completeness, Oregon’s high-powered offensive attack will lead them to a national title in a thriller in Pasadena.