2015 College Football Playoff Scenarios

Clemson: Win the ACC Championship game against North Carolina

Alabama: Win the SEC Championship game against Florida

Oklahoma: Hope the selection committee knows that the Big 12 exists

Iowa: Win the Big 10 Championship against Michigan State

Michigan State: Win the Big 10 Championship against Iowa

Stanford: Win the Pac 12 Championship game against USC and have either Clemson or Alabama lose

Baylor: After losing the Big 12 title to Oklahoma, their playoff hopes are through.

Ohio State: Need Clemson, Alabama, and Michigan State lose in their championship games and some compassion from the committee

Florida: Win the SEC Championship against Alabama in dominant fashion and have Clemson lose in the ACC title game

Notre Dame: Need all teams in front of them to lose due to their season being over

North Carolina: Win the ACC Championship game against Clemson and have Alabama, Iowa and Stanford lose along with a forgiving committee

My Prediction: 1 Clemson vs. 4 Oklahoma

2 Alabama vs. 3 Michigan State

 

 

 

 

 

Week 13 Heisman Watch

As the 2015 college football season comes to a close, what better time is there to create my own Heisman Watch list. In the previous five seasons, it has been a quarterback that walks away with the hardware; however this year has been called the year of the running back. With talented rushers such as Henry, McCaffrey and Fournette, this is the best chance for a running back to win the Heisman trophy since Mark Ingram in 2009.

 

1. Derrick Henry (RB Alabama): It is often said that the easiest way to decide a Heisman trophy winner is to give the award to the best player on the best team. Well if thats the case, Alabama’s junior running back is the epitome of that statement. Fresh off a 46 carries whited gained him over 270 yards in an Iron Bowl victory over rival Auburn, Henry has not just led his Alabama team to the number two ranking in the country; but single handedly carried them through the gauntlet that is the SEC West. Amassing nearly 1,800 yards and an Alabama record 22 touchdowns, there has been almost no stopping his dominant breakout season. Henry will be in New York, but whether he leaves with the hardware or not will be determined in the next two weeks. (Next Game: SEC Championship against Florida)
2. Deshaun Watson (QB Clemson): If I could, I would like to put Watson as Heisman Watch 1A instead of 2. Watson has lead his Clemson Tigers to the number one ranking in the country along with an undefeated season and a victory against in state rival South Carolina on Saturday. After a slow start to the 2015 campaign due to a prior knee injury, Watson has began to shine in the ACC making plays for his team when they need them the most. While the stats for Watson are not as eye popping as some of the other candidates, I will go back to the best player on the best team mantra. Clemson is undefeated and heading into the ACC title game against North Carolina. With another solid performance on this upcoming Saturday, Watson should lock himself into a spot in New York. (Next Game: ACC Championship against North Carolina)
3. Baker Mayfield (QB Oklahoma): The definition of late season Heisman push. Oklahoma was an after thought a few weeks ago when they were just that one loss team that lost to Texas. However, as their regular season comes to a close, they find themselves in the College Football Playoff top 4 with victories over Baylor, TCU and in the year end spectacle know as bedlam against Oklahoma State. Mayfield has become more than just the quarterback of the Sooners, but their emotional leader as well with his Johnny Football like movement. After transferring from Texas Tech and beating out incumbent Trevor Knight for the starting job, Baker Mayfield has put up the type of numbers that had they not lost to Texas, we could be talking about Mayfield walking away with this award. (Next Game: None)
4. Christian McCaffrey (RB Stanford): The official switchblade athlete of college football. McCaffrey is another of the standout sophomore running backs across the country that will be back battling for the Heisman again next season. The numbers are outstanding as McCaffrey has past USC legend Reggie Bush for the most all purpose yards in Pac-12 (Pac-10) history. MacCaffrey is also one of three players in college football this season with at least one Pass TD, Rush TD, Receiving TD, and Return TD. Playing on the west coast always hurts players in the Heisman consideration, but he will have one more opportunity to state his case in the Pac-12 title game against USC. The one knock I have against McCaffrey is that he only has seven touchdowns rushing on the season and four of them came in one game against UCLA. while his total numbers are outstanding, the touchdowns are concerning. (Next Game: Pac- 12 Championship against UCLA)
5. Keenan Reynolds (QB Navy): This selection is well deserved to be on any and all Heisman Watch list for this season. While the Heisman award is a singular season award, I would like to see some thought by the committee on the complete career of the senior Navy Quarterback. Reynolds has rushed for nearly 1000 yards and thrown for another 1000. Along his way this season he has also set multiple records both at the school level and the national level for rushing touchdowns, total points and the most passing touchdowns in Navy history. While I find there are players with better stats this season, the career of Keenan Reynolds needs to be known to more than just the diehard college football fans. (Next Game: Army)