In which BracketCat simulates first-round results for the “right side” of the 16-team playoff bracket for 2021.
(Not sure why this one didn’t publish at noon like I intended. Oh well, better late than never!)
Lots of familiar faces today from previous (future) playoffs — starting to really see who the modern blue bloods are in this sport, aren’t we?
Dabo takes on Harbaugh in a coaching dick-off (as in who can be the biggest dick, not the other thing), Oregon and Utah hook up for a Pac-12 three-match, Baylor hosts their second game in three years in Waco as a No. 7 seed, and a (p)rematch of the 2024-25 national championship finishes things off. Scroll down to see who will move on to the second round!
Today’s Games
Game 1: No. 14 Michigan (9-3) @ No. 3 Clemson (13-0)
Jim Harbaugh leads his troops into Death Valley to take on Trevor Lawrence in his prime. All of you were correct about the home team’s chances.
No. 3 seed Clemson Tigers (13-0; AP/BCS/Coaches #3): ACC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Win (CFP Rankings): Texas A&M (8-5), @Louisville (8-5), Wake Forest (8-5), vs. #24 Virginia
Losses: none
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (11th full, 12th overall season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
Running Backs: Travis Etienne and Lyn-J Dixon
Wide Receivers: Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross
Tight End: Braden Galloway
No. 14 seed Michigan Wolverines (9-3; AP/Coaches #17; BCS #16): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #16 Iowa, #15 Notre Dame, Michigan State (7-6), @Indiana (8-5)
Losses: @ #8 Wisconsin, @ #10 Penn State, #2 Ohio State
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (5th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Shea Patterson
Running Backs: Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins
Wide Receivers: Ronnie Bell and Nico Collins
Tight End: Nick Eubanks
Final Score: Clemson 55, Michigan 17
Memorial Stadium – Clemson, South Carolina
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 – 6 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 47
Wind: NNE 5 MPH
Player of the Game: Clemson RB Travis Etienne
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Travis Etienne scored four total touchdowns and accounted for 234 all-purpose yards as No. 3 Clemson overwhelmed No. 17 Michigan 55-17 in the first round of the 2019 College Football Playoff on a cool evening in “Death Valley.”
Etienne shredded the Wolverines’ defense with 155 rushing yards on 21 carries, including a backbreaking 74-yard sprint late in the first quarter, and added five receptions for 79 yards and two scores. The senior running back’s dynamic performance helped Clemson (14-0) to pile up 570 yards of offense and seize control early, never trailing after the opening drive.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sharp and efficient, completing 26 of 37 passes for 354 yards and five touchdowns.
He connected with six different receivers, tossing scoring strikes to Braden Galloway, Amari Rodgers (twice) and Etienne (twice) as Clemson built a 31-10 halftime lead.
Michigan (9-4) opened the game with a promising touchdown drive capped by a Zach Charbonnet’s 1-yard plunge, but the Wolverines were overpowered in the trenches the rest of the way. Michigan managed just 32 rushing yards on 35 attempts and surrendered four sacks, while Etienne outgained the Wolverines on the ground by himself.
Shea Patterson threw for 287 yards and a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to Hassan Haskins but struggled with consistency under pressure, going just 20 of 43 with one interception. Michigan’s offense converted only 7 of 20 third downs and failed to score in the fourth quarter.
Clemson’s defense, led by Isaiah Simmons and James Skalski, kept Michigan bottled up and forced three fumbles. The Tigers also controlled time of possession and field position throughout the afternoon. With the win, Clemson advances to the Orange Bowl CFP quarterfinal, where it will face the winner of the Oregon-Utah game.
Game 2: No. 11 Utah (11-2) @ No. 6 Oregon (11-2)
Pac-12 division winners Oregon and Utah meet for the second time in three weeks. It does not go well for the Utes. At all. This again was another unanimous, correct voting result.
No. 6 seed Oregon Ducks (11-2; AP/BCS #7; Coaches #6): Pac-12 Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): California (8-5), @Washington (8-5), @USC (8-5), vs. #11 Utah
Losses: vs. #12 Auburn, @Arizona State
Head Coach: Mario Cristobal (2nd season)
Offensive Style: Pistol
Quarterback: Justin Herbert
Running Backs: CJ Verdell and Travis Dye
Wide Receivers: Mycah Pittman and Johnny Johnson III
Tight End: Jacob Breeland
No. 11 seed Utah Utes (11-2; AP #12; BCS #13; Coaches #10): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @BYU (7-6), Arizona State (8-5), California (8-5), @Washington (8-5)
Losses: @USC, vs. #6 Oregon
Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (15th season)
Offensive Style: Multiple
Quarterback: Tyler Huntley
Running Backs: Zack Moss and Devonta’e Henry-Cole
Wide Receivers: Bryan Thompson and Demari Simpkins
Tight End: Brant Kuithe
Final Score: Oregon 55, Utah 13
Autzen Stadium – Eugene, Oregon
Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 – 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 59
Wind: S 13 MPH
Player of the Game: Oregon RB CJ Verdell
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — CJ Verdell delivered a historic performance with 252 rushing yards and five touchdowns Friday night as No. 7 Oregon steamrolled No. 12 Utah 55-13 in a first-round College Football Playoff game at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon’s offense overwhelmed Utah (11-3) from the outset, scoring on its first five possessions to build a 31-3 halftime lead. Verdell broke free for touchdown runs of 1, 14, and 58 yards before the break and later added a 73-yard sprint midway through the third quarter, putting the game well out of reach. The junior tailback finished with 24 carries and accounted for more than half of Oregon’s 316 rushing yards.
Quarterback Justin Herbert orchestrated the Ducks’ up-tempo attack with poise, throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns on 27 of 37 passing.
He connected with eight different receivers, including Mycah Pittman, who led all Oregon (12-2) pass-catchers with 87 yards and a 10-yard touchdown grab early in the third.
The Ducks’ 55 points marked their highest total of the season and Verdell’s five rushing touchdowns set a program record for postseason play.
Utah, which entered the game with one of the Pac-12’s most physical defenses, struggled to keep pace in this one. Star running back Zack Moss rushed for 132 yards on 22 carries, but the Utes fell behind too quickly to lean on their ground game.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley threw for 237 yards and a late touchdown to Samson Nacua, but also tossed an interception and was sacked three times.
Oregon’s defense was stout throughout, holding Utah to just 3 of 15 on third down and 22 minutes’ time of possession. Thomas Graham Jr. notched a key interception late in the first half that helped to set up a touchdown just before the break.
With the win, Oregon advances to face No. 3 in a marquee Orange Bowl CFP quarterfinal matchup. Utah heads into its offseason, licking its wounds after a second straight blowout loss to the Ducks in three weeks.
Game 3: No. 10 Penn State (10-2) @ No. 7 Baylor (11-2)
Another Big Ten contender makes it way south to Waco to take on the Big 12 runners-up in a battle of second-year head coaches. Poll chat finally got one wrong here, unfortunately.
No. 7 seed Baylor Bears (11-2; AP/Coaches #8; BCS #9): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Iowa State (7-6), @Kansas State (8-5), @ #25 Oklahoma State, Texas (8-5)
Losses: #4 Oklahoma, vs. #4 Oklahoma
Head Coach: Matt Rhule (3rd and final season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Charlie Brewer
Running Backs: JaMycal Hasty and John Lovett
Wide Receivers: Denzel Mims and Tyquan Thornton
Tight End: Ben Sims
No. 10 seed Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2; AP #13; BCS #8; Coaches #12): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Buffalo (8-5), Pittsburgh (8-5), @ #16 Iowa, #14 Michigan, Indiana (8-5)
Losses: @ #18 Minnesota, @ #2 Ohio State
Head Coach: James Franklin (6th season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Sean Clifford
Running Backs: Journey Brown and Noah Cain
Wide Receivers: KJ Hamler and Jahan Dotson
Tight End: Pat Freiermuth
Final Score: Penn State 30, Baylor 17
McLane Stadium – Waco, Texas
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 – 11 AM CST / 12 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 49
Wind: None
Player of the Game: Penn State QB Sean Clifford
WACO, Texas (AP) — Quarterback Sean Clifford threw for 343 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as No. 13 Penn State controlled the tempo and stifled No. 8 Baylor’s run game in a 30-17 first-round College Football Playoff upset victory at McLane Stadium.
Clifford completed 26 of 43 passes, including a 1-yard touchdown toss to Jahan Dotson in the second quarter that gave Penn State (11-2) a 10-7 lead it would not relinquish.
He spread the ball around to 10 different receivers, with Dotson hauling in five catches for 100 yards and KJ Hamler adding five receptions for 97 yards of his own.
The Nittany Lions dominated possession, 36:22 to 23:38, and consistently moved the chains, converting 10 of 19 third downs.
Journey Brown anchored the rushing attack with 101 yards on 14 carries, including a 30-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that helped fend off a Baylor rally.
Baylor (11-3) struggled to find offensive balance, finishing with just 7 rushing yards on 18 carries. Quarterbacks Charlie Brewer and Jacob Zeno combined for 335 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the Bears couldn’t keep pace. Zeno connected with Russell Morrison on a 12-yard score that briefly cut the deficit to 17-14, but Penn State answered quickly.
The Lions’ defense, led by Yetur Gross-Matos’ sack, applied steady pressure and limited Baylor to 3 of 13 on third downs. Kicker Jake Pinegar added three field goals to help to seal the win, despite a miss from 43 yards.
Penn State advances to the Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal, where it will face the Notre Dame-Ohio State winner.
Game 4: No. 15 Notre Dame (10-3) @ No. 2 Ohio State (13-0)
Everyone’s favorite 2024-25 national championship contest could have been previewed back in this 2019 first-round game. Everyone who voted also correctly predicted this outcome.
No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (13-0; AP/BCS/Coaches #2): Big Ten Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Florida Atlantic (11-3), #21 Cincinnati, #8 Wisconsin, #10 Penn State, @ #14 Michigan, vs. #8 Wisconsin
Losses: none
Head Coach: Ryan Day (1st season)
Offensive Style: West Coast spread
Quarterback: Justin Fields
Running Backs: J.K. Dobbins and Master Teague III
Wide Receivers: Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack
Tight End: Jeremy Ruckert
No. 15 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2; AP/BCS/Coaches #14): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @Louisville (8-5), #24 Virginia, #22 USC, Virginia Tech (8-5), #23 Navy
Losses: @ #5 Georgia, @ #14 Michigan
Head Coach: Brian Kelly (10th season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Ian Book
Running Backs: Tony Jones Jr. and Jafar Armstrong
Wide Receivers: Chase Claypool and Javon McKinley
Tight End: Cole Kmet
Final Score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 13
Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 – 6 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 44
Wind: SW 6 MPH
Player of the Game: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Behind a thunderous performance from running back J.K. Dobbins, No. 2 Ohio State took control early and never looked back Saturday night in a 34-13 first-round College Football Playoff victory over No. 14 Notre Dame at Ohio Stadium.
Dobbins was unstoppable, rushing for 181 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries —including scoring runs of 11, 24 and 60 yards — to earn Player of the Game honors. The Buckeyes totaled 227 yards on the ground, wearing down the Irish defense for four quarters.
While Notre Dame (10-3) held a 395-175 edge in passing yards and ran 94 plays to Ohio State’s 63, it was the Buckeyes’ defensive execution and red-zone efficiency that proved decisive. Notre Dame managed just six points in two first-half trips inside the 10-yard line and struggled to convert on third down (8 of 22).
Quarterback Ian Book threw for 339 yards and a touchdown, but Ohio State’s pass rush and run containment stifled any rhythm. Javon McKinley led Notre Dame’s receivers with four catches for 88 yards and a late touchdown.
Justin Fields was efficient for the Buckeyes (14-0), completing 11 of 20 passes for 175 yards and no turnovers. Garrett Wilson had two receptions for 61 yards and kicker Blake Haubeil added two field goals, including a 48-yarder in the second quarter.
Ohio State now advances to the CFP quarterfinals, where the Buckeyes will face No. 13 Penn State in a Cotton Bowl rematch of a physical Big Ten showdown back on November 23.
Tomorrow’s Games
To make these posts more fun and interactive, please vote for who you think would win each matchup! I can’t promise to take the votes into account because of the simulation process I use, but it will be interesting to see and discuss the results, plus they may serve as a sort of a tiebreaker if I end up needing one.
BracketCat’s Protest Playoff Archives
2024: Kickoff | Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2023: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2022: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2021: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2020: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | NC | Data
2019: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1)
2008: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange
2007: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data
2006: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data
2005: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Rose | Data
2004: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data
2003: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data
2002: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data
2001: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Rose | Data
2000: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Orange | Data | Encore
1999: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Sugar | Data | Encore
1998: Selection Sunday | Sweet 16 (1) | Sweet 16 (2) | Elite 8 | Final 4 | Fiesta | Data | Encore