In which BracketCat simulates the national championship game for the 16-team playoff bracket for 2021.
Well, that was fun! Different (sometimes more convoluted) process, same result. While this is not case-closing evidence that expansion from 4 to 16 teams was unnecessary, it does seem to support the argument. More years of data will be required to be certain, though.
In the meantime, we will rewind back to 2020 next week and answer the eternal question: What the heck would a 16-team playoff look like during the most ridiculous clown circus of a season we’ve ever seen? Check in Sunday to see how the Pandemic Protest Playoff unfolds!
Today’s Game
2022 College Football Playoff National Championship:
No. 1 Alabama (15-1) vs. No. 3 Georgia (15-1)
Of course Georgia still won this game. Revenge is a dish best served a month and a half cold. It’s eerie how similar the score turned out, too. 75% predicted it
No. 1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (15-1; AP/Coaches #1): SEC Champion (auto-bid)
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): #8 Ole Miss, #21 Arkansas, vs. #3 Georgia, #16 Oklahoma, vs. #9 Oklahoma State, vs. #4 Cincinnati
Loss: @ #25 Texas A&M
Head Coach: Nick Saban (15th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Bryce Young
Running Backs: Brian Robinson Jr. and Jase McClellan
Wide Receivers: John Metchie III and Jameson Williams
Tight End: Cameron Latu
No. 3 seed Georgia Bulldogs (15-1; AP/Coaches #3): at-large bid
Notable Wins (CFP Rankings): vs. #19 Clemson, #21 Arkansas, #22 Kentucky, #14 Oregon, vs. #6 Ohio State, vs. #2 Michigan
Loss: vs. #1 Alabama
Head Coach: Kirby Smart (6th season)
Offensive Style: Pro spread
Quarterback: Stetson Bennett
Running Backs: James Cook and Zamir White
Wide Receivers: Jermaine Burton and Ladd McConkey
Tight End: Brock Bowers
Final Score: Georgia 38, Alabama 13
(True Result: Georgia 33, Alabama 18)
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 – 8:15 PM EST
Precipitation: None
Temperature: 68 to 72
Wind: None (indoor stadium)
Player of the Game: Georgia QB Stetson Bennett
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — In a long-awaited breakthrough, No. 3 Georgia stormed past archrival No. 1 Alabama with a commanding 38-13 victory Monday night, capturing its first national title since 1980 and silencing any remaining doubt about its championship pedigree.
Stetson Bennett, the former walk-on turned title-winning quarterback, was named Player of the Game after throwing for 286 yards and four touchdowns. His poise under pressure and big-play accuracy proved pivotal in the Bulldogs’ redemption win over the Crimson Tide.
Running back James Cook made an early statement with a 64-yard touchdown run on the first drive for Georgia (16-1), finishing with 125 yards on 11 carries while also contributing 45 receiving yards. Explosive plays defined the Bulldogs’ offense, with Jermaine Burton hauling in a 65-yard touchdown and Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, and George Pickens all finding the end zone as well.
Georgia’s defense, historically dominant all year, also rose to the moment.
The Bulldogs sacked Bryce Young six times, limited Alabama (15-2) to just 90 rushing yards and forced two turnovers. Channing Tindall led the charge with three sacks, while Kelee Ringo added a crucial interception to seal the championship rout.
Alabama found early life on a 31-yard touchdown by Brian Robinson Jr., but couldn’t keep pace. Despite 292 passing yards from Young, the Tide were held without a passing touchdown for the first time all season.
Georgia finished with nearly 500 total yards, won the turnover battle and out-physicaled Alabama in the trenches — a complete performance befitting a first-time playoff champion.
Final 2021 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
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