The CFP Is On!: And the Nation Picks the First Round Winners

Okay, it’s Saturday morning and one game is in the books, but all of these polls closed Friday afternoon.

But if you gamble and believe the majority pick correctly, then these are the polls for you. The bad news? They’re already 0-for-1 after picking Oklahoma to win outright and thereby cover. The games on the board today? It’s the favorites covering in all three according to the nation.

Yes, Huskers fans, we have slightly missed the 12-team playoff for a second straight year, but we’re going to be watching. And, though you’re not the majority, as we found out in a previous survey, some will be wagering on the outcomes, and thus have a little more skin in the game as we sweat out a Round One Saturday. So check the results and place your bets accordingly.

And just for fun, I’ll throw my picks into the ring. I’m not off to a good start.

• Note that as the bets accumulated, many agreed with the 56% majority here as the line actually flipped the Okies to being a -1.5 favorite. Oops.
• Double oops, actually, as I was with the crowd there. Boomer Sooner indeed.
• It was enjoyable reading Notre Dame fan posts online as the game progressed. Yes, the Domers quit, but they just won’t go away.
• The 1st quarter and a 1/2: “We told you Alabama sucked!! We were screwed!!
• Afterwards: (Grumbling under their breath) “They both suck. This is so unfair. 😢”
• Honestly, I didn’t see the stalled-as-of-late Alabama offense ripping the Sooners D apart like they did Once they warmed up. To be fair, I doubt few did.

• The line is tight and predictors have the aTm as a light straight up favorite in what’s expected to be the other close game in the 1st round.
• The fans here – 71% of them – see the Aggies covering.
• Perhaps, like me, they see 2-3 Carson Beck interceptions in front of a wild College Station crowd as a little too much to overcome. Aggies 27-23.

• Folks aren’t expecting this battle of the deep south to be close and they may be right.
• Tulane has been victorious but not dominant in beating lesser American Conference teams.
• Ole Miss doesn’t play much defense at times, so Tulane will put some scores up, Ole Miss, Lane or no Lane, will do so as well. Ole Miss 44 Tulane 20

• People are expecting a bloodbath in this one, including the SBNation crowd – 89% of them.
• I’m not so sure. Madison may be a little underrated here – hey, who was a solid core of that Indiana team who burst on the scene last season to make the CFP?
• Pride will help some, but Madison may not be the pushover folks are expecting and Oregon doesn’t blow competitive teams out too often. The Ducks win, but I’m going with the 11% – Oregon 31 JMU 20

AND JUST BECAUSE THIS IS A HUSKERS WORLD HERE, HOW ABOUT SOME MORE CONGRATS TO EMMETT JOHNSON FOR MAKING EVERY ALL-AMERICAN TEAM THEY’RE PUTTING IN FRONT OF HIM.

GO BIG RED.