Chris Ransom’s BCS “Playoffs” Predictions

I am really sick of the conference realignments and the lack of someone taking action to create a BCS Playoff.  Every week on NFL Mocks until the end of the season I will post an 8 team BCS Playoff featuring the top 8 teams.

Here are this weeks match ups for my first weekly BCS Playoffs #8 Stanford faces #1 Oklahoma, #7 Clemson faces #2 Alabama, #6 Wisconsin faces #3 LSU, and #5 Boise State faces #4 Oklahoma State.  I will explain the rules to this playoff below.

Opening Round Games

#8 team faces #1 team at Fiesta Bowl, #7 team faces #2 team at Sugar Bowl, #6 team faces #3 team at Orange Bowl, and #5 team faces #4 team at Rose Bowl

Semifinals

Four winners of opening round games play in semifinals.  Both semifinal games will be played at the Cotton Bowl leading up to the Championship game.

Championship Game

To winners of Semifinals playing for the championship.  Also during the halftime show there will be a breakdancing contest between the top 2 mascots in the Capital One Mascot Standings.  Voting online to crown the best Mascot is a dumb way to decide the best mascot so instead the top 2 mascots who receive the most will breakdance for our entertainment during the halftime show of the Championship game.

Opening Round Games

#8 Stanford VS #1 Oklahoma at the Fiesta Bowl

While this is somewhat of a home field edge for Oklahoma, I like Stanford in this contest.  Stanford has the offense to outscore Oklahoma.  Stanford’s offense reminds me  a lot of my favorite team the New England Patriots.

Andrew Luck makes excellent decisions just like Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.  Like Brady, Luck just cares about getting the win.  Luck even displays Elway like scrambling ability at times.  Stanford’s pass blocking offensive line reminds me of New England.  I see a little Deion Branch in Chris Owusu.  Griff Whalen reminds me a bit of Wes Welker.  Stanford uses two tight end sets just like New England.  Stepfan Taylor may be the Pac 12’s version of Stevan Ridley.

I am not saying Stanford’s offense is anything like New England’s offense.  Its an insult to the Patriots to put a college offense in the same class as New England’s.  I just believe that both offenses are operated in similar fashions.

Stanford can get to the quarterback or stuff the run.  Delano Howell is one of the best safeties in the game.

The main weakness on Stanford’s defense is their cornerbacks.  This is one of Oklahoma’s strengths as the Sooners have Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stillis for Landry Jones to throw to at wide receiver.

I take the Cardinal to get the win and move on to the semifinals 28 to 27 edging out #1 seed Oklahoma.

#7 Clemson VS #2 Alabama

I know Clemson has battled adversity.  I realize Clemson came back to defeat Auburn.  The grim reality for Clemson is that their team is no match for Alabama.  This game could get ugly pretty quickly.

Alabama 35 Clemson 17

#6 Wisconsin VS #3 LSU

If anyone outside of Alabama has the best chance of knocking off LSU at this point that team is Wisconsin.  Still, LSU has too much talent on their secondary to lose to Wisconsin plus their run defense could keep Montee Ball the Wisconsin back in check.  I think LSU wins, but this game is much closer than people think.

LSU 28 Wisconsin 24

#5 Boise State VS #4 Oklahoma State

Both of these teams display monster offenses.  This game could see a combined point total in the triple digits.  I’ll take Boise State because they have a running game with Doug Martin along with a left tackle in Nate Potter.

Boise State 51 Oklahoma State 41

Semifinals

#8 Stanford VS #2 Alabama

Andrew Luck VS Alabama’s defense.  Trent Richardson going up against arguably the top run defense outside the SEC.  This is a matchup that fans would pay Paper View money to witness.  Despite Stanford’s valiant efforts in this contest they fall short here as Alabama gets to the Championship game.

Alabama 37 Stanford 31

#5 Boise State VS #3 LSU

People finally realize that Boise cannot compete with the big boys in the SEC as LSU schools the Broncos.  Les Miles puts Chris Peterson in his place as LSU’s secondary has a field day on Broncos  quarterback Kellen Moore.

LSU 49 Boise State 14

Championship Game

#3 LSU VS #2 Alabama

Alabama wins this defensive contest.  Richardson turns out to be the difference as Alabama pulls away in the end.

Alabama 27 LSU 14