In which BracketCat simulates the national championship game for the 16-team playoff bracket for 2020.
Well, that was fun! We finally get our first national championship matchup that doesn’t match what happened in reality. If ever there were a season for that, it would be 2020.
In the meantime, we will rewind back to 2019 next week and answer the eternal question: What would a 16-team playoff look like in the last “normal” season we ever saw, before “COVID,” “NIL,” the “transfer portal” and “revenue sharing” became household terms?
Check in at noon Sunday to see how the final pre-pandemic Protest Playoff unfolds!
Today’s Game
2021 College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T:
No. 1 Alabama (14-0) vs. No. 2 Clemson (13-1)
Of course Alabama won another blowout. Look at the track record. All of you nailed this one.
No. 1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (14-0; AP/Coaches #1): SEC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #5 Texas A&M, #9 Georgia x2, vs. #7 Florida, #16 BYU, vs. #4 Notre Dame
Losses: none
Head Coach: Nick Saban (14th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Mac Jones
Running Backs: Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.
Wide Receivers: DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle
Tight End: Miller Forristall
No. 2 seed Clemson Tigers (13-1; AP/Coaches #2): ACC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #18 Miami, vs. #4 Notre Dame, #15 Iowa, vs. #10 Iowa State, vs. #6 Oklahoma
Loss: @ #4 Notre Dame
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (12th full, 13th overall season)
Offensive Style: Spread
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
Running Backs: Travis Etienne and Lyn-J Dixon
Wide Receivers: Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell
Tight End: Braden Galloway
Final Score: Alabama 68, Clemson 21
(True Result: Alabama 52, Ohio State 24)
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida
Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 – 8 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 69
Wind: NNE 3 MPH
Player of the Game: Alabama QB Mac Jones
MIAMI (AP) — In one of the most dominant championship performances in College Football Playoff history, the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide overwhelmed No. 2 Clemson 68-21 on Monday night to secure their sixth national title under Nick Saban and put a definitive stamp on one of the most explosive seasons in program history.
Mac Jones delivered a master class at Hard Rock Stadium, completing 26 of 33 passes for 371 yards and five touchdowns en route to being named Player of the Game.
His favorite target, Heisman winner DeVonta Smith, torched the Clemson secondary with eight catches for 148 yards, while John Metchie III added three touchdown grabs to compound the Tigers’ defensive nightmare.
Alabama’s offense piled up 596 total yards, including 225 on the ground, powered by Najee Harris’ 127-yard, three-touchdown performance and a 71-yard burst from Brian Robinson Jr.
By halftime, Alabama had built a staggering 41-7 lead, scoring four touchdowns and two field goals in the second quarter alone.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for a career-high 434 yards and two touchdowns, but the Tigers’ run game was stuffed, managing just 22 rushing yards on 35 attempts. Travis Etienne scored once but was held to only 39 yards on 17 carries.
Clemson’s offensive line struggled against Alabama’s relentless front, surrendering five sacks and failing to create any consistent protection.
While Clemson mounted a couple of late scoring drives, the outcome was never in doubt.
Alabama added two more fourth-quarter field goals from Will Reichard, who was a perfect 4 for 4 on the night, to cap off a staggering 68-point explosion, the most ever in a CFP title game.
With the win, Alabama finishes the 2020 season a perfect 15-0, reaffirming its dynasty status and staking a strong claim as one of the greatest teams in college football history.
Final 2020 Playoff Bracket and Results
Tomorrow’s Post
On Saturdays, I compile and share a variety of stats with you on these playoff simulations.
Some of them are fun and silly (coaches’ hypothetical playoff records, for instance), while others are more fact-based and relevant (total number of playoff bids for each conference — both pre- and post-realignment). Stay tuned for more tomorrow!
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
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