PICK SIX: Who will win the national championship in 2022?

Generally a prediction can really feel proper although it finally ends up incorrect.

And vice versa.

Final season this column projected each Ohio State and Alabama to overlook the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Daring? Dumb? The road is ok.

One out of two isn’t dangerous, however in some methods the one which ended up being incorrect felt extra proper.

Whereas the Buckeyes did turn into weak, the choose right here to win the Large Ten and attain the playoff for the primary time was … Wisconsin.

The Badgers went 9-4 final season and didn’t even win their division. The Buckeyes did falter, however it was in opposition to Michigan.

As for Alabama, the speculation behind the Crimson Tide lacking the CFP was that it could lose a regular-season sport — more than likely at Texas A&M — after which Georgia would remove Nick Saban’s workforce by successful the SEC title sport.

That seemed like a superb name when the unbeaten and favored Bulldogs went up 10-0 within the second quarter in Atlanta. Then Bryce Younger carved up Georgia’s vaunted protection and it grew to become yet one more instance of the perils of choosing in opposition to ‘Bama.

Some redemption got here within the CFP title sport, when Georgia — as predicted right here within the preseason — gained the nationwide title.

Whereas it’s cool to be proper, predictions are largely made for enjoyable. Straight chalk is boring, however final season’s volatility that included Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma having lengthy convention championship streaks snapped is perhaps powerful to repeat.

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) makes an attempt a cross underneath stress from Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) throughout Georgia’s spring NCAA school soccer sport, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. The 2021 season was full of shocking contenders and convention champions. One other season with that a lot volatility in 2022 appears unlikely.

UNDERACHIEVERS/OVERACHIEVERS

Three groups that may begin the season ranked however end unranked:

No. 12 Oklahoma State. The tremendous seniors and coordinator that powered top-of-the-line defenses within the nation are gone and the Large 12 is at all times unpredictable.

No. 16 Miami. Hurricanes haters get another 12 months of mocking how the U. is Again! Would possibly need to get it out of your system, although, as a result of Miami underneath Mario Cristobal isn’t prone to be mediocre for for much longer.

No. 19 Arkansas. The SEC West is a gauntlet and any person goes to be dissatisfied. You’re it, Razorbacks.

Three groups that may begin the season unranked however end ranked:

Penn State. On the way in which to constructing towards one thing huge in 2023, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions bounce again from two lackluster seasons.

Kansas State. The Adrian Martinez redemption tour.

UCF. The Knights have been usurped by Cincinnati as kings of the AAC and Houston is the buzzy G5 workforce heading into this season. However UCF appears to be like loaded in 12 months 2 underneath Gus Malzahn.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

American Athletic Convention — Houston over UCF. The way forward for the Large 12.

Atlantic Coast Convention — Clemson over North Carolina. What higher technique to finish divisional play within the ACC than Clemson beating the fourth-best workforce within the convention.

Large 12 — Kansas State over Oklahoma. Rating one for the leftovers.

Large Ten — Ohio State over Minnesota. The West Division will come all the way down to a enjoyable, four- or five-team scramble and the winner’s reward is a beatdown from the Buckeyes in Indianapolis.

Convention USA — UAB over UTSA. (Insert joke about how tough it’s to recollect who continues to be in C-USA).

Mid-American Convention — Toledo over Miami. Choosing the favorites within the MAC isn’t an incredible concept, however right here we’re.

Mountain West — Fresno State over Boise State. Quarterback Jake Haener and the Bulldogs give Fresno State its first MW title since 2018.

Pac-12 — Oregon over USC. A primary-year coach wins the Pac-12. Simply not the one getting probably the most consideration.

Southeastern Convention — Alabama over Georgia. Yep, we’re doing this once more.

COACHING CAROUSEL

Nebraska will get off to an encouraging begin in coach Scott Frost’s make-or-break season, however stumbles down the stretch in opposition to a tough closing schedule (Minnesota, at Michigan, Wisconsin and at Iowa). The varsity elements methods with the hometown hero. Subsequent up for the Cornhuskers? How about Matt Campbell from Iowa State?

NEW YEAR’S SIX BOWLS

Rose Bowl — Michigan vs. USC.

Sugar Bowl — Georgia vs. Kansas State.

Cotton Bowl — Houston vs. Oklahoma.

Orange Bowl — North Carolina State vs. Texas A&M.

PLAYOFF

Fiesta Bowl (semifinals) — No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Clemson.

Peach Bowl (semifinals) — No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Oregon.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Ohio State over Alabama. The Buckeyes win a rematch of the 2020 CFP championship sport, with C.J. Stroud outdueling Bryce Younger.

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Comply with Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and pay attention at http://www.appodcasts.com

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Extra AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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