🏈 Way-too-early Final Four predictions

[PhillyGirl]

Of course it's too early. Of course weird things happen. But it's interesting to me, all of the predictions and how they change. Here's what I've got:

Alabama
FSU
UCLA
Michigan State

I think Oregon will do really well, and then choke again. I think Oklahoma is, as always, overrated. And with Miller's status, I think the Big 10 is Michigan State's to lose.

 

[TerryP]

Of course it's too early. Of course weird things happen. But it's interesting to me, all of the predictions and how they change. Here's what I've got:

Alabama
FSU
UCLA
Michigan State

I think Oregon will do really well, and then choke again. I think Oklahoma is, as always, overrated. And with Miller's status, I think the Big 10 is Michigan State's to lose.

I'm going to play devil's advocate in this thread...

Michigan State losses to Oregon and then find themselves left without another win to boost their value high enough for a berth. In the B1G championship game they lose to Wisconsin; a Badger team with two losses on the season when they meet.

 

[planomateo]

@PhillyGirl - same list that Herbstreit has.

Mine = FSU (due to schedule), Alabama (due to last two games of 2013 season), UCLA (because Oregon won't make it), OU (because the B1G is weak)

Look at Wisconsin's schedule. They don't play Michigan, Ohio State, or Michigan State this year and losing to LSU early on in the season can be overlooked.

I'm not sure a B1G team makes the playoff...OU

 

[PhillyGirl]

@PhillyGirl - same list that Herbstreit has.

Mine = FSU (due to schedule), Alabama (due to last two games of 2013 season), UCLA (because Oregon won't make it), OU (because the B1G is weak)

Look at Wisconsin's schedule. They don't play Michigan, Ohio State, or Michigan State this year and losing to LSU early on in the season can be overlooked.

I'm not sure a B1G team makes the playoff...OU

Gross. I originally had Ohio State but with Brax going down I moved up MsU.

See that spot bugs me though. I am sold on Bama, FSU, and UCLA. That 4th spot is tough. I think a lot of teams have a good shot beyond the 3.

 

[BamaFan334]

Give me Alabama, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Two good defenses and two good offensive teams. I think Florida State will slip up a time or two, Ohio State may not have a quarterback, and just not sure what Stanford will have. Oregon is ready to finally bust out. Oklahoma is simply the beneficiary of a weak conference and other down teams in the Big Ten and Pac-12. Alabama simply has the talent to make a run and is expected to have a chance. A down year with two losses? That makes me think we're going to have a chance because we expect to be there.

 

[alabama mike]

Gonna have to think on this a little more bc there are a few teams that can make the top 4.

 

[rick4bama]

Gonna have to think on this a little more bc there are a few teams that can make the top 4.

I'm with Mike on this one. I have tired to come up with 4 teams, trying hard to get what I think will be the four teams.

 

[TheChief]

Alabama, FSU, Oklahoma, LSU - Two SEC teams make it in and the wailing and gnashing of teeth begins.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Alabama, FSU, Oklahoma, LSU - Two SEC teams make it in and the wailing and gnashing of teeth begins.

Oh god, can you imagine? Would be cool to have a rematch though.

 

['65 Cobra]

I think Wisconsin is going to give LSU a harder time than apparently many here think. I wouldn't underestimate Wisconsin in the B1G. FSU gets in b/c their schedule is gravy. I will stick with Bama from the SEC, but I think only one SEC gets in. If Michigan State struggles against Oregon (I actually think they lose that game), they don't have enough left on their schedule to bump them back up with Ohio State losing Braxton. Oklahoma may be over-rated, but they will breeze through their schedule and win the Big 12 - possibly undefeated. As such, I think the other two teams have to be Oregon and Oklahoma, which is very annoying but at least it gives us a chance to avenge the Sugar Bowl loss.

 

[PhillyGirl]

I think Wisconsin is going to give LSU a harder time than apparently many here think. I wouldn't underestimate Wisconsin in the B1G. FSU gets in b/c their schedule is gravy. I will stick with Bama from the SEC, but I think only one SEC gets in. If Michigan State struggles against Oregon (I actually think they lose that game), they don't have enough left on their schedule to bump them back up with Ohio State losing Braxton. Oklahoma may be over-rated, but they will breeze through their schedule and win the Big 12 - possibly undefeated. As such, I think the other two teams have to be Oregon and Oklahoma, which is very annoying but at least it gives us a chance to avenge the Sugar Bowl loss.

I think Wisconsin has potential to be really good. Their running game is gonna be a nightmare.

 

[UAgrad93]

BAMA, UCLA, Ohio State, and FSU. I think that even though OSU has lost Miller for the season, they can prop a guy up there and still go 11-1 with that weak ass schedule. FSU plays NO ONE! UCLA and BAMA actually have tougher roads but I think they arrive there as well.

 

[TheChief]

Wisconsin's pre-season hype machine is running wide open. Let's talk after they lose a couple of games, you know sometime around early October. I think I missed the memo about UCLA. When did they become a juggernaut?

 

[planomateo]

Wisconsin's pre-season hype machine is running wide open. Let's talk after they lose a couple of games, you know sometime around early October. I think I missed the memo about UCLA. When did they become a juggernaut?

I haven't heard any hype on Wisconsin yet, where are you hearing that from? My reasoning is stated above, they dodge the tougher teams in the East division. Look at this schedule...makes Ohio States look (I just laughed out loud typing this).

8/30 @ LSU
9/6 vs. Western Illinois
9/20 vs. Bowling Green
9/27 vs. South Florida
9/4 @ Northwestern
10/11 vs. Illinois
10/25 vs. Maryland
11/1 @ Rutgers
11/8 @ Purdue
11/15 vs. Nebraska
11/22 @ Iowa
11/29 vs. Minnesota

 

[psychojoe]

FSU would be one. I don't see an ACC team beating them. If Florida gets it together they could offer them a serious challenge in their annual brawl.
Michigan State will get there based on their defense and running game.
I think Oklahoma loses a couple, and Baylor wins the Big 12, but will be left out of the playoffs.
Oregon will finally get past Stanford and win its league, getting into the playoffs.
The Tide will be the fourth entry, though this could end up being the year of the Gamecock.

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

FSU (Clemson may be their only challenge)
Bama (The focus should be back now)
Oregon (Marriota may be enough to get them past Pac12)
and finally, I'm really torn on the Big10 (Michigan State or Wisconsin), Big12 (OU), and South Carolina,
I'll go with Michigan State

 

[ericd]

Bama, UCLA, FSU, Oklahoma

 

['65 Cobra]

Wisconsin's pre-season hype machine is running wide open. Let's talk after they lose a couple of games, you know sometime around early October. I think I missed the memo about UCLA. When did they become a juggernaut?

As plano said, I haven't heard any Wisconsin hype this off-season and certainly no hype machine. Looks like they're 4 1/2 to 5 point dogs in Vegas as well.

 

[silvermetalflake]

It's way too early for ANY predictions, remembering the 2013 pre-season Barn report.

 

[PhillyGirl]

It's way too early for ANY predictions, remembering the 2013 pre-season Barn report.

Of course, but it's always fun to speculate! What do you think, based on what we know right now? Subject to change, of course