With bowl season in full swing that means the first round of the College Football Playoff is near. Last week, I ranked every Big 12 bowl game but this week I thought I would focus on the first round of the playoff. There are four games this weekend and I wanted to rank each one based on watchability from one to ten.
#12 James Madison at #5 Oregon: 3 out of 10
If you are watching this game in hopes of a miracle, then I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. Look, James Madison is a good Group of Five team, but they aren’t on the same level as the top teams from the Power Four. Oregon is tough to beat in Eugene, and I don’t see a world where James Madison can keep up. There’s a reason why ESPN put this game on Saturday night because they know they can’t compete with the Bears/Packers game going on at the same time.
#11 Tulane at #6 Ole Miss: 5 out of 10
The first time these two met was back in September, which Ole Miss won easily 45-10. While I am not expecting another blowout that large, I do believe Ole Miss will win with ease. They are clearly the better team but the fact that Lane Kiffin won’t be on the sidelines coaching in this game makes my interest go up just a bit. How will Ole Miss handle themselves after losing their head coach? Will that give Tulane a better chance to pull off a huge upset? Who knows, but I believe this game is still more than just watchable for the average college football fan.
#10 Miami at #7 Texas A&M: 8 out of 10
I wish Texas A&M vs. Miami was at night because you are not going to find many environments better than the one at Kyle Field in College Station. The Aggies have had a magical season thus far and have an opportunity to make history. They are a fan base that has been starving for success for decades. Meanwhile, Miami is looking to do the same. It’s been nearly 25 years since their last national title. This is the first time either school has made the playoff and despite being the early game on Saturday, this is clearly the best game of the day.
#9 Alabama at #8 Oklahoma: 9 out of 10
Out of all the first-round games this weekend, Oklahoma vs. Alabama is by far the best game. While these two already played earlier this year in Tuscaloosa, I am looking forward to their upcoming rematch on Friday night. Don’t expect a ton of points in this matchup due to both defenses being some of the best in the country. Points are going to be at a premium with the over/under being set at 40. This is going to look like an old school game from the 80’s with some hard-nosed, grind-it-out, physical-style football. Norman will be rocking and I can’t wait.
