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- Jacob Rhee

I was only planning to make predictions for the college football regular season, but I feel like giving out more prizes. Same rules apply; every time I pick a winner incorrectly, it costs me $15 in rewards. I will be predicting the outcomes of the Power Four conference championship games, as well as all 11 playoff contests. That’s 15 extra chances to inflate the Prize Pot. Let’s go.

Fiesta Bowl: No. 10 seed Miami (FL) vs. No. 6 seed Ole Miss

The pick: Ole Miss wins, 30-21.

December 7, 2024. Carson Beck is leading the Georgia into a clash with Texas, for the SEC championship. It’s in an NFL stadium. Almost 1,000 miles north, another contest is happening. Ferris State is running away from Harding in the Division II national quarterfinals, and a baby-faced kid named Trinidad Chambliss is putting on a show. We’re at Top Taggart Field for this one, which is a stadium that boasts a capacity of 6,200. The gridiron is enclosed by a track, like it was in high school.

Less than 400 days later, here we are. Those two signal-callers are about to duel for a spot in the title game, and the vast majority of America would agree that Chambliss is the superior player. Choose to neglect sports, and this is the kind of storyline that you risk missing out on. It’s amazing.

The Cotton Bowl was a loud reminder that edge rushers are football’s second-most important position group. Replace Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor with average ACC starters, and Ohio State is in Glendale right now. This thing is largely going to hinge on whether or not Diego Pounds and Jayden Williams can keep Miami’s star duo out of the backfield.

On the other side of the ball, it’s all about containing Mark Fletcher on early-down handoffs. Consistently force the ‘Canes into third-and-longs, and capitalize on the inevitable mistakes. This is the same Shannon Dawson that was getting shoved onto the hot seat at several points this season. This is the same Carson Beck that flung four picks against an unranked opponent in October. Make them prove their competence on a massive stage.

Pete Golding has to prevent his squad from getting bogged down in a slow-paced affair. In fact, I’d advise taking the ball if he wins the coin toss. Dictate the terms from the outset.

This night will belong to Ole Miss. Trinidad shines again, and the Rebels book a flight to Florida.

Peach Bowl: No. 5 seed Oregon vs. No. 1 seed Indiana

The pick: Oregon wins, 17-13.

At this point, it feels downright immature to place your trust in any adversary of the Hoosiers. Curt Cignetti has crafted a certified buzzsaw, and that massacre in Pasadena made a national championship feel borderline inevitable. Still, I’m going to make a case for the Ducks here.

I think - with creativity and stellar execution - you can throw the ball on Indiana. I do. Look, I’m aware of how daunting the numbers are; on the year, opponents have totaled seven passing touchdowns and 17 interceptions against Bryant Haines and the boys. That almost sounds fake. But my trusty eye test tells me that if Dante Moore has enough time to earnestly challenge the Hoosiers’ secondary, there are some profits to be made downfield.

Oregon’s defense is the true equalizer. Teitum Tuioti is ripping-hot, and Matayo Uigalelei turned in his most disruptive performance of the campaign against Texas Tech. I think they’ll cause problems for an offensive line that sometimes looks a bit vulnerable when facing raw athleticism. If the youthful members of the Ducks’ secondary can avoid panic-induced penalties in coverage, I think this devolves into a wildly entertaining rock fight.

The margin for error is ultra-thin for Dan Lanning’s crew. I really think Oregon is going to find a way, though. Dierre Hill provides a massive spark, Dillon Thieneman comes through with a late interception, and the Ducks spoil IU’s magic carpet ride.

• College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Results: 1-3

• Overall Season Picks Record: 60-36

• Current CFB Prize Pot: $540

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