NCAA CFB Playoff 16 Team Tournament

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Hello everyone. In this thread I am going to be doing a simulation of a sixteen team college football playoff from the rankings from NCAA 14, with updated rosters. I just thought this would be a fun thing to do and do realistic write-ups for. Without further ado, here is your college football for the 2016 season. We are looking at seven minute quarters, with a normal single elimination style tournament. The first round games will be played at the home of the higher seed, once the “Elite Eight” starts, games will be played at bowl game sites. Looking forward to doing this for fun, and seeing what team comes out on top!

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The Markley Report

Jason Boyle: Hello everyone Jason Boyle here from the Markley Report with my new partner Carlton Gilbert. We are all excited for the upcoming sixteen team playoff that is to get under way in just a few days. Carlton, give us some thoughts on this expanded playoff.

Carlton Gilbert: Well Jason, the first reaction I had to the expansion of the playoff was how quickly this legislation went through. I was under the impression that the four team playoff was working out alright, and so the fact that we moved to an eight team playoff so quickly is pretty crazy. It remains to be seen how this will fare in the more technical terms, but for college football fans this is a dream come true to see a multi-week tournament style setup for the playoff. I am very excited as this format just takes all the stories from the four team playoffs and expands them. I am very excited to be covering these playoffs. It will be interesting to see how other teams are given a chance to play in this format. One guaranteed non power 5, all conference champions from the power 5. etc.

Jason Boyle: Totally agree. This just makes all of the bowl games meaningful and the matchups that much more intriguing! The storylines that will come from this tournament will surely be nuanced and entertaining. The sixteen team playoff is obviously set, and is provided below for viewers, so what are some of these initial storylines going in?

Carlton Gilbert: Well, there are many intriguing match-ups to examine throughout the bracket. Can't wait to see the battle of the blue bloods USC and Michigan, an Iron Bowl matchup in round one should provide for an exciting atmosphere, there's just so much to be excited for. Personally, I am interested in what styles of play will succeed in the tournament. Will a stout defense be a necessity to make it to the final four? Or will aerial offenses like Oklahoma be able to tire teams out?

Boyle: Agreed. It will be great seeing so many high level match-ups at many different stadiums. My thoughts revolve around the plethora of running backs that are in the tournament. Fournette. Cook. Mixon and Perine, Wayne Gallman. Christian McCaffrey. Who will lead their team the farthest? Will some unknown stars take the stage? It will be great being able to cover so many talented young men throughout this tournament.

Carlton Gilbert: The individual match-ups will give many fans cause for anticipation and excitement this holiday season. Without further ado, lets look at the bracket for the CFB playoff!

College Football Playoff Bracket

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Just to let everyone know, the way I decided the bracket was through just looking at the preseason polls for 2016, the end of regular season polls for 2016, and the end of year polls for 2016. That's why Tennessee, Houston, LSU, and the like are in, while Penn State and USC are as well. It's a combination of preseason, regular season and end of season rankings.

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NCAA Sweet 16 Preview Week

Day 1: Alabama versus Auburn:
Each day of the week leading up to the games we will break down one of the games. Day 1 is Alabama versus Auburn.

Synopsis: A rematch of the Iron Bowl takes place in Tuscaloosa (Reminder: the first round games are at the home field of the higher seed, after the first round they are at bowl sites), and serves as the opening game of the tournament. This game is Alabama’s to lose (the Tide won the season meeting 30-12), as their swarming defense led by Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster, and Tim Williams should get to the Auburn quarterback whether it's Sean White or Jeremy Johnson with ease, and their running game should be able to dominate the Tigers front seven. However, given the nature of this intense rivalry, anything is possible, as recent Iron Bowl games have shown.

Players to watch:

Alabama:
Jalen Hurts, QB:
The freshmen quarterback has been excellent in his role all season, but this is playoff time. It will be intriguing to see how Hurts holds up under the pressure being the quarterback for the number one seed.

Eddie Jackson, S/Returner
Jackson injured his leg early in the season, but their are rumors that he may be back for the playoff run. The dynamic player would make the Tide defense that much scarier and add a killer element to their special teams. Saban has been stone silent on Jackson’s status, adding to the intrigue as to how much he will play this coming weekend.

Auburn:
Kamryn Pettway, RB
Pettway is going to have to have the game of his career against the (arguably) top defense in the country in order for Auburn to win this game. It will be crucial for him to take pressure off of whoever is playing quarterback for the Tigers.

Key Matchups:

Alabama front seven versus the Auburn Running game

As mentioned above, White and Johnson need a reliable running game in order to succeed. This may be hard to come by against a front seven allowing just 32 rushing yards per game when accounting for sacks. If the alabama linebackers like ryan Williams are allowed to pin their ears back on long second and third downs, then this one's over.

Calvin Ridley, Artavius Stewart, and OJ Howard versus the Auburn secondary


Alabama will establish dominance through Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris, but if they can open through the air as well against a suspect auburn defense, then this game will open up. Hurts threw for 286 yards in the Iron bowl, with Stewart going for 126 of those.

The X-Factor:
Auburn needs a star and a big play moment to change the momentum of the game that will likely be against them. They need Eli Stove to have a big game again (had 87 receiving yards in the November game), or White/Johnson to make some magic happen. They need a big game-changing play and a player to step up and shine or this one's over fast.

Prediction:
This one will look like the first edition a month ago. Alabama 27, Auburn 10.

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NCAA Sweet 16 Preview Week

Day 2: Washington versus Penn State:
Each day of the week leading up to the games we will break down one of the games. Day 2 is Washington versus Penn State.

Synopsis: These two teams will square off for the first time in over 34 years and only the third time ever this weekend. Penn state has won both of the previous meetings. This matchup should feature two surging offenses that play with tempo yet have patient quarterbacks who can sling the ball. The 8 versus nine matchup, which a month ago would have looked like an easy Washington win, may be closer now than people think with Penn State being one of the hottest teams in the country.
Players to watch:

Washington
Jake Browning, QB:
Jake Browning has been phenomenal and a key reason Washington broke through to the top of the Pac-12 this year. The sophomore has thrown for over 3400 yards and 43 touchdowns this year, and is able to make all of the throws to his experience receiving corps

John Ross, WR
The Senior speedster has been a huge part of Washington's success as well, going for over 1200 receiving yards on the year. Expect him to challenge the penn State secondary with some deep routes and potentially some screens or jets that maximize his effectiveness by highlighting his big play ability.

Penn State
Saquon Barkley, RB
Barkley has been a joy to watch this year for the Nittany Lions, as his perfect blend of speed and power in his 5-11, 223 frame as allowed him to embarrass defenders time and again. He has rushes for over 1400 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, and will need to have a huge game in order for Penn State to advance.

Key Matchups:

Trace McSorley versus Budda Baker


While it's already known that Saquon Barkley will need to have a huge game for Penn State and that Washington is spending the most of its prep time preparing to stop him, the big matchup will be Quarterback Trace McSorley versus the Huskie secondary and Safety Budda Baker. Washington with its powerful offense can still win even if Barkley goes off as long as its vaunted defensive backfield shuts down the Penn State passing offense. Some big turnovers from captain and leader Budda Baker could be the game changer that might firmly punch Washington's ticket to the elite 8.

Washington's Pass O versus the Penn State secondary

In a similar vein, the Nittany Lions will only be able to succeed if they can shut down Browning, Ross, and the rest of the Huskie aerial attack. The Penn State Linebacking corps is considered the strength of their defense, but the secondary will need step up for this game if the team wants to move. Facing a Heisman contender in Browning will be quite the challenge.

The X-Factor:
The turnover battle will be huge. Penn State needs it secondary to slow Browning and make him uncomfortable by forcing a secondary, while the huskies will need to do the same to McSorley in order to render the Nittany Lions a one dimensional team

Prediction:
Washington's secondary is to experience for McSorley to do too much damage. Berkley keeps it close with a huge day and Penn State controls some clock, but Washington's offense proves to hard to keep up with once Penn State struggles through the air. Washington 38, Penn State 28.

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NCAA Sweet 16 Preview Week

Day 3: Oklahoma versus Houston:
Each day of the week leading up to the games we will break down one of the games. Day 3 is Oklahoma versus Houston.

Synopsis: Some games are known for their defensive battles, where field position is everything and field goals reign down from above. Not this game. Every postseason tournament deserves a game that is a barn burner; a shootout. Only a small handful of potential matches later in the tournament can match this game in terms of breaking the scoreboard. Oklahoma brings seemingly perfectly balanced offense with stars at the big three positions: Baker Mayfield at quarterback, Dede westbrook at receiver, and booth Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon at Running back. Houston, while not as balanced, as a legitimate star in qb Greg Ward Jr., and receiver Linnell Bonner (1100 yards) is no slouch.

Players to watch:

Oklahoma
Dede Westbrook, WR
Westbrook has had an amazing year for the Sooners, and was the first legitimate Heisman contender at the wideout position since Michael Crabtree. His speed and game-breaking ability has seen him become a nationally known star and a fun player to watch this year.

Joe Mixon, RB
The controversial running back may not have regained the respect of everyone off the field, but on the field Mixon is undoubtedly a talent. His receiving ability and slashing running style allows him to be the perfect complement to bruiser Samaje Perine. His open field wheels with his compact frame (and viscous stiff arms) make him hard to tackle.

Houston
Greg Ward, QB
By far the main reason for the Cougars success, Greg Ward is a dynamic dual threat talent who ran for over 500 yards and threw for over 3300. If Houston keeps this close, it means Ward is selling out and going for over 350 combined yards, which, last time I checked, sure is entertaining to watch.

Key Matchups:

Baker Mayfield versus the Ed Oliver
The key to this game is whichever team decides to play defense. More on that later in the article. For now, on an individual level, we have Mayfield against the Cougars D-line,specifically freshmen phenom Ed Oliver. If Mayfield can avoid the pressure(which takes some offensive line help of course), and make throws downfield to Mixon and Westbrook, then this game will be decided swiftly. Houston needs to mae the Sooner offense somewhat uncomfortable.


The X-Factor:
Can Houston slow down the Sooners? On paper (and even on film), this seems like an impossible task, even for teams with better defenses the Houston. A game-changing wide receiver, a veteran past heisman contending QB, and a nasty two-headed rushing attack makes Oklahoma deadly. However, the Sooner defense will have to in turn prevent Greg Ward from a monster game which could lead to an upset.

Prediction:
While it seems like Oklahoma’s offense is powerful enough to lead it deep into the tournament, there are some considerations one must take into account. For one, playing in the Big 12 inflates the Sooners stats and makes their offense often look better then it is. secondly, the sooner defense slacking compared to its offense, giving other teams a chance to capitalize. Finally, and most importantly, Houston did beat Oklahoma back in September. I know that if a predict an upset again, then Oklahoma will win by 30, so I’ll play conservative this time and you all can yell at me later. Oklahoma 42, Houston 38.

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NCAA Sweet 16 Preview Week

Day 4: LSU versus Louisville:
Each day of the week leading up to the games we will break down one of the games. Day 4 is LSU versus Louisville.

Synopsis: This game could be a pretty unique one with a lot of different stars on display. LSU brings Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice against a Louisville defense that may not be able to last long enough physically to tackle the two backs late in the game. Don't forget about the LSU recovering either, Malachi Dupre and Travin Duval are playmakers. Heisman winner Lamar Jackson will need to have the game of his life in order to beat the Tigers, but the vaunted LSU secondary led by future NFL talents Jamal Adams and Tre'davious White will make things difficult for him.

Players to watch:

LSU
Leonard Fournette, RB:
Fournette's punishing running style will give the Cardinals fits all day. Louisville just doesn't have the physicality in the front seven to wear down Fournette. He will be able to break tackles on every run. In general, this will be Fournette's last game, and while his Heisman dreams were never realized, his highlight reel hit sticks sure are fun to watch.

Jamal Adams, S
A potential top ten pick in next years draft, Jamal Adams is a sentinel in the secondary who patrols his domain with Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas like qualities. His big hits and ball-hawking will be fun to watch, especially if he gets into a one-on-one with Lamar Jackson in the open field.

Louisville
Lamar Jackson, QB
Who else to watch but the Heisman winner? Lamar Jackson has made superior teams (the Seminoles) look silly with his running and passing ability. He is one of the most exciting players in college football and is the ray of hope the Cardinals have relied on all year.

Key Matchups:

Lamar Jackson versus the LSU secondary
As mentioned, Jackson will face one of his tougher tests of the season against a secondary that puts players into the NFL annually. His gung-ho passing style may work in the ACC, but White and Adams will working hard to show why this approach doesn't work down in Baton Rouge.


Fournette and Guice versus the Cardinal front seven
Fournette is scary to tackle. Guice has the vision and slashing ability to complement Fournette perfectly. If they are on the field at the same time I don't think I would be prepared mentally pre snap for what I'm going up against, as each player attacks differently. Louisville must prevent broken tackles as 7 yard runs on first down are going to allow LSU to control the game.

X-Factor:
Brandon Harris. LSU’s only weakness is at the most important position on the field. If Louisville forces Harris to throw more than he wants to, it has a shot at pulling off the upset. Harris does have two receiving studs in DUpre and Duval, but has proven time and again that even with an all star cast around him that he is a suspect quarterback. If Louisville makes LSU one dimensional, they have a chance. On the flip side, obviously Lamar is the x-factor for Louisville, and needs a monster game for the Cardinals to win.

Prediction:
It all depends on how Harris copes in third downs where he is forced to pass. I trust LSU to have more third and 3’s then third and 8’s. LSU 31, Louisville 24.

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I want to get things going so starting the fist game, hopefully will do some other write-ups but i want to get some material out here