In which BracketCat simulates second-round bowl results for the 16-team playoff bracket for 2020.
The second round features a trio of interesting matchups that never occurred, plus a rematch of an SEC regular-season game with a pretty similar final result.
So scroll on to see who could have advanced to the Final Four of 2020-21…
(One note on bowl selection: Seeds have priority order for the bowl closest to their home campus, so Alabama gets Peach, then Clemson Orange, then Ohio State the Cotton, etc.)
Today’s Games
2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: No. 1 Alabama (12-0) vs. No. 9 Georgia (8-2)
Yet another SEC Championship game rematch in the College Football Playoff. This is starting to become a pattern. Those voting unanimously correctly predicted an Alabama win.
No. 1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (12-0; AP/Coaches #1): SEC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #5 Texas A&M, #9 Georgia, vs. #7 Florida, #16 BYU
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. 9 seed Georgia Bulldogs (8-2; AP #11; Coaches #9): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): Auburn (6-5), @Missouri (5-5), @ #8 Cincinnati
Losses: @ #1 Alabama, vs. #7 Florida
Head Coach: Kirby Smart (5th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: JT Daniels
Running Backs: Zamir White and James Cook
Wide Receivers: George Pickens and Kearis Jackson
Tight End: Tre’ McKitty
Final Score: Alabama 62, Georgia 27
(True Result: Georgia 24, Cincinnati 21)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 – 12 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 66
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Alabama RB Najee Harris
ATLANTA (AP) — Top-ranked Alabama put on an offensive clinic Friday in the Peach Bowl, dismantling SEC rival Georgia 62-27 to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Crimson Tide (13-0) were relentless from start to finish, piling up 605 total yards and scoring touchdowns on eight separate drives.
Running back Najee Harris led the charge with a dominant performance, rushing for 213 yards and four touchdowns on just 19 carries. He added a receiving score as well, accounting for five total touchdowns and earning Player of the Game honors.
No. 11 Georgia (8-3) kept pace early, trading blows in the first half and cutting Alabama’s lead to 24-20 late in the second quarter after Demetris Robertson’s 17-yard touchdown catch from JT Daniels. But the Tide pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 38-7 after halftime.
Mac Jones threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns, connecting often with DeVonta Smith, who finished with eight receptions for 107 yards and two scores. Alabama’s rushing attack wore down Georgia’s front, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Georgia moved the ball well early and scored on five of its first seven possessions, including two field goals from Jack Podlesny and touchdown passes from Daniels to James Cook and Robertson. But the Bulldogs’ offense stalled in the third quarter, and three turnovers proved costly against Alabama’s explosive offense.
With the win, Alabama advances to face the winner of Notre Dame and Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal.
2021 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl:
No. 5 Texas A&M (10-1) vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (11-1)
The Fiesta Bowl matches up two proud programs who have somehow only played six times in history. Two-thirds of those who voted incorrectly predicted this lopsided matchup.
No. 4 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1; AP/Coaches #4): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #2 Clemson, @ #13 North Carolina, #13 North Carolina
Loss: vs. #2 Clemson
Head Coach: Brian Kelly (11th season)
Offensive Style: Multiple
Quarterback: Ian Book
Running Backs: Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree
Wide Receivers: Ben Skowronek and Javon McKinley
Tight End: Michael Mayer
No. 5 seed Texas A&M Aggies (10-1; AP/Coaches #5): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #7 Florida, LSU (5-5), @Auburn (6-5), #12 Coastal Carolina
Loss: @ #1 Alabama
Head Coaches: Jimbo Fisher (3rd season)
Offensive Style: Pro-style
Quarterback: Kellen Mond
Running Backs: Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane
Wide Receivers: Caleb Chapman and Hezekiah Jones
Tight End: Jalen Wydermyer
Final Score: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 12
(True Result: Iowa State 34, Oregon 17)
State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 – 2 PM MST / 4 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 78
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Notre Dame QB Ian Book
PHOENIX (AP) — Behind a composed performance from veteran quarterback Ian Book and a stingy second-half defense, No. 4 Notre Dame defeated No. 5 Texas A&M 31-12 on Saturday in the Fiesta Bowl to punch its ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Book, who was named Player of the Game, threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns while leading the Irish (12-1) to scores on five of their final seven drives. Notre Dame’s offense struck first with an 8-yard touchdown from Book to Avery Davis late in the first quarter, then pulled away with a balanced ground attack and efficient play on third down.
Kyren Williams powered the Irish on the ground with 69 yards and a short touchdown before halftime, while Chris Tyree added a 10-yard scoring run to put the game out of reach early in the fourth. Michael Mayer added a touchdown grab in the third quarter, helping the Irish to maintain control despite Texas A&M’s advantage in time of possession.
Texas A&M (10-2) moved the ball effectively, racking up 28 first downs and 285 passing yards from Kellen Mond. But the Aggies stalled repeatedly in the red zone, settling for four field goals from Seth Small and failing to reach the end zone. Turnovers and two lost fumbles proved costly, and the Aggies’ inability to finish drives haunted them throughout.
With the win, Notre Dame will move on to face Alabama in the Sugar Bowl CFP semifinal.
2020 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic:
No. 3 Ohio State (7-0) vs. No. 6 Oklahoma (9-2)
Two bluebloods meet in a rematch of that infamous series when Baker Mayfield feloniously planted a flag at Ohio Stadium. Only one-third of those voting correctly picked the Sooners.
No. 3 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0; AP/Coaches #3): Big Ten Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #11 Indiana, vs. #14 Northwestern, #14 Northwestern
Losses: none
Head Coach: Ryan Day (2nd season)
Offensive Style: West Coast spread
Quarterback: Justin Fields
Running Backs: Trey Sermon and Master Teague III
Wide Receivers: Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson
Tight End: Jeremy Ruckert
No. 6 seed Oklahoma Sooners (9-2; AP #8; Coaches #7): Big 12 Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): vs. #20 Texas, #21 Oklahoma State, vs. #10 Iowa State, #11 Indiana
Losses: Kansas State, @ #10 Iowa State
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (4th season)
Offensive Style: Air raid
Quarterback: Spencer Rattler
Running Backs: Rhamondre Stevenson and Seth McGowan
Wide Receivers: Charleston Rambo and Finn Corwin
Final Score: Oklahoma 34, Ohio State 23
(True Result: Oklahoma 55, Florida 20)
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 – 7 PM CST / 8 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 72
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler
DALLAS (AP) — Spencer Rattler threw for 366 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 8 Oklahoma past No. 3 Ohio State 34-23 in a tightly contested Cotton Bowl matchup Friday.
The Big 12 champion Sooners scored the game’s final touchdown with less than two minutes remaining to seal an upset trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Oklahoma (10-2) controlled the early pace, jumping out to a 17-6 halftime lead behind a balanced offensive effort and a defense that forced a pair of field goals in the red zone.
Charleston Rambo and Marvin Mims each caught touchdown passes from Rattler, who completed 26 of 39 throws and was named Player of the Game for his efforts.
Ohio State (7-1) stormed back in the third quarter. Trey Sermon broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run and Garrett Wilson hauled in a 13-yard score from Justin Fields to tie the game at 20.
But the Sooners responded with poise, as Rattler engineered two more scoring drives, one capped by Mims’ score and another finished by Marcus Major’s 2-yard run with 1:28 to play.
Fields threw for 333 yards but was picked off twice by Tre Norwood, including one late in the fourth that stifled Ohio State’s comeback hopes.
Sermon led all rushers with 123 yards, but the Buckeyes struggled to finish drives, settling for three field goals and missing a 50-yarder in the first half.
Oklahoma advances to face either Clemson or Iowa State in the Rose Bowl CFP semifinal.
2021 Capital One Orange Bowl:
No. 10 Iowa State (9-3) vs. No. 2 Clemson (11-1)
A fun matchup of two teams who have had a lot of success in Florida and two future NFL starting quarterbacks. Only one-third of you nailed the final outcome correctly, though.
No. 2 seed Clemson Tigers (11-1; AP/Coaches #2): ACC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #18 Miami, vs. #4 Notre Dame, #15 Iowa
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
No. 10 seed Iowa State Cyclones (9-3; AP/Coaches #12): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): @TCU (6-4), #6 Oklahoma, @ #20 Texas, @ #7 Florida
Losses: #19 Louisiana, @ #21 Oklahoma State, vs. #6 Oklahoma
Head Coach: Matt Campbell (5th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Brock Purdy
Running Backs: Breece Hall and Kene Nwangwu
Wide Receivers: Xavier Hutchinson and Tarique Milton
Tight End: Charlie Kolar
Final Score: Clemson 44, Iowa State 17
(True Result: Texas A&M 41, North Carolina 27)
Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 – 8 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 72
Wind: S 5 mph
Player of the Game: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence
MIAMI (AP) — Trevor Lawrence put on a quarterback clinic in his final Orange Bowl appearance, throwing for 410 yards and four touchdowns as No. 2 Clemson dismantled No. 12 Iowa State 44-17 to advance to the 2020 College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Tigers broke the game open with a dominant second quarter and never looked back.
Lawrence connected with Amari Rodgers for a 43-yard touchdown on Clemson’s opening possession and continued to carve up the Cyclones’ secondary throughout the game.
Rodgers finished with 110 yards, while Frank Ladson Jr. added two scores and Travis Etienne chipped in with both a rushing and receiving touchdown.
After Iowa State (9-4) answered Clemson’s early score with a touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to Landen Akers, the Tigers rattled off 23 unanswered points in the second quarter, including three field goals from B.T. Potter and a 19-yard touchdown catch by Etienne.
Clemson (12-1) led 30-7 at halftime and extended the lead to 44-7 before the Cyclones tacked on a field goal and another Akers touchdown in garbage time.
Purdy threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns but was under constant pressure, taking five sacks and losing two fumbles. Breece Hall was one of the few bright spots for Iowa State, rushing for 120 yards on 20 carries.
The win sends Clemson into a heavyweight Rose Bowl semifinal showdown with No. 8 Oklahoma, a rematch of multiple recent postseason classics.
With Lawrence in top form and his defense forcing three takeaways, the Tigers look primed for another run at the national championship.
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. (And yes, I know we already know one of these outcomes from the actual playoff. It will be interesting to see if the simulator agrees.)
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)
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