Expert Picks, Predictions: College Football Playoff Will Be …

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The College Football Playoff final four will be …

Jeff Feyerer @JeffFeyerer, CFN

Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Georgia

I really want to put Michigan State, Utah, Oregon, or (insert other team I’m high on this season) because this seems boring, but if you’re asking me for the four teams with the most talent and the schedule that best affords them the opportunity to play in the CFP, these are the four.

We’ve heard enough about Clemson and Alabama, but I’m really pulling for Jalen Hurts this season given the way he’s handled everything in his career. I also think that offense is absolutely stacked again. And with Georgia, this should be the culmination of all of Kirby Smart’s recruiting classes through the early part of his tenure.

Pete Fiutak @PeteFiutak, CFN 

You’re going wacky if you don’t automatically pick Clemson and Alabama, but I’m not 100% certain they’re the 100% locks they’re supposed to be. One of them is way, way overdue to slip twice in the regular season, even though they’re the two most talented teams.

I’m not wavering from my other two calls all offseason: Oklahoma gets in, and gets to the national championship. Michigan finally gets over the hump, and then gets annihilated in the CFP.

Dan Harralson @danharralson, VolsWire.com

Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Michigan

Phil Harrison @PhilHarrisonBW, BuckeyesWire.com

Well, who’s going to bet against Alabama and Clemson at this point. Give me those two, and give me a severely undervalued Ohio State to go along with Georgia.

Isaiah Hole @IsaiahHole, WolverinesWire.com

Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Michigan.

One SEC team between Georgia and Alabama will be out, and picking Georgia, as the Bulldogs very well could find themselves losing to Notre Dame. Oklahoma will continue to roll, this time beating Texas twice, bolstered by Alex Grinch as the new defensive coordinator. A one-loss Michigan, the Big Ten Champion, won’t be punished for losing to Ohio State, but will get the opportunity to play for the conference title, given OSU’s personnel losses.

Will Hunter @wil__hunter, SpartansWire.com

Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and Ohio State. I know chalk is boring, but it’s hard to go away from these teams. Michigan, Notre Dame, Georgia and Texas are the next best threats to the CFP.

Jeremy Mauss @MWCWire,MWwire.com

Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Utah

Kegan Reaneau @KeganReneau, SoonersWire.com

Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Washington

Johnny Rosenstein @JohnnyParlay11, SportsBookWire.com

Clemson, Texas, LSU and Michigan. What? No Alabama, which has been in every CFP since its inception in 2014-15? The Tide will trip up at Texas A&M and rival Auburn, snapping their five-year CFP run.

Nick Shepkowski @Shep670, CFN Podcast

1. Alabama

The Tide are on a mission from God, Jake and Elwood style.  Talent on both sides is as rich as ever and Saban is mad.  Scary combo.

2.  Clemson

For those that argue “didn’t you see the title game!?!?” — I did.  And that all-world Clemson D line needs almost entirely replaced.  Will still be great, just not as much so.

3.  Georgia

Enter the SEC title game 12-0 and even a loss there to Alabama won’t keep the Dawgs out.  Resumé will have nice wins over Notre Dame and Florida.  November 16 at Auburn is no gimme, though.

4.  Michigan State

Is having both the best coach and the best defense in your conference a good thing?

Scott Steehn @Steehnroller, WinnersandWhiners.com:

Bama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan

The top three look rock solid.

Bama – As long as Tua stays healthy and their interior linemen continue to dominate, it’s hard to pick against them.

Clemson – 44.8 ppg and they return eight offensive starters. ACC is a very forgiving conference where they don’t have to be at the top of their game every week to win.

Georgia – The Bulldogs are like Eli Manning. Really good, win a lot of games, but will never be as good as your big brother, even if you occasionally win a title or two.

Michigan – They get O State and their new coach in Ann Arbor. Oklahoma defense not good enough. Oregon has a habit of playing down to their competition on occasion and that bites them in the butt.

Keith Stewart WinnersandWhiners.com

Alabama and Clemson are locks as usual. Georgia is loaded with talent and will get in, and Jalen Hurts will get the job done for Oklahoma.

Joe Vitale @JoeVitale, UGAwire.com

SEC gets two in again for the second time in three seasons: Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma

Chris Wassel @ChrisWasselDFS, SportsBookWire.com

It sounds boring, but Alabama and Clemson should be there again. Their duopoly is hard to break through as many teams will again try this season. After that, Georgia may finally make the final four after coming so close last season. The fourth and final spot belongs to Oklahoma. The Sooners should be able to squeak out of the Big 12, while Ohio State and Michigan likely wind up losing unexpectedly a couple of times along the way.

Clucko The Chicken (four Power Five teams randomly picked out of a hat)

Vanderbilt, Oregon, Purdue, Baylor

CONSENSUS PICK

Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia