Jon Gruden, the former NFL head coach and now Barstool Sports analyst, has stirred excitement among college football fans with his bold predictions for the College Football Playoff. With the inaugural 12-team playoff format officially kicking off, football enthusiasts are eager to see if Gruden's insights will hold true. Tennessee Volunteers fans, especially, might find comfort and perhaps hope from Gruden's enthusiastic backing as they face off against Ohio State.
Gruden, who has ties to the University of Tennessee from his days as a graduate assistant under legendary coach Johnny Majors, has expressed confidence in the Vols’ ability to pull off what would be considered an upset against the Buckeyes. "I can’t get over what Ohio State did in their season finale against Michigan," Gruden explained, highlighting the Buckeyes' disappointing loss. He believes Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s agility and decision-making can lead the team to victory. "I love their quarterback; I think he can create with his legs, and they do have two very good pass-rushers," he asserted.
The path to the quarterfinals would be significant if Tennessee manages to topple Ohio State, especially since it would lead them to face the formidable Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl. There, Gruden predicts the Vols' playoff run will falter. "I just think Oregon has an experienced quarterback, very good head coach, and is defensive-minded. I like the Ducks," he stated, foreseeing Oregon's strong chances.
While Jon Gruden is optimistic about Tennessee's prospects, analysts across the board are leaning heavily toward the home teams. Each of the four first-round playoff hosts is favored by at least 6.5 points, with Ohio State's spread sitting at 7.5 points. Yet, Gruden's enthusiasm for Tennessee stands out amid general predictions against them.
Gruden's Saturday challenges don’t end with Tennessee. He has also made waves with predictions for the other matchups. Following his enthusiastic pick for the Volunteers, he jumped to the Friday night matchup, confidently endorsing Notre Dame to take down Indiana, and Penn State over SMU. The real curveball arrives with Gruden's belief Clemson will shock Texas, saying, "Clemson and Texas is my favorite game on this docket...I think Clemson shocks Texas in this game. I love Dabo Swinney, he does it without any transfers. I can't help but root for Clemson." Gruden’s admiration for Clemson runs deep, particularly due to their uptick under the well-regarded Swinney.
Gruden's bracket extends beyond the first round. He envisions Oregon and Georgia meeting for the national championship, with the Ducks taking the title. "I just think it's the Ducks' year, man," Gruden stated. "They have too much going for them in all three phases," indicating his trust not just in their offense, but also their defense and special teams. His bracket is marked by strategic selections but leans precariously on the possibility of upsets.
Further insight reveals the path teams must navigate to reach the finals. Gruden projects Georgia will navigate through the playoffs, defeating Notre Dame and Penn State along the way, which many would find less controversial. He expects Oregon to topple Tennessee, ending the Vols' playoff dreams and setting up the Ducks for the championship.
Fans have taken to social media to voice both support and skepticism of Gruden’s upset predictions. Some embraced the excitement of the underdog, believing Tennessee's strength lies in its mobility on offense compared to Ohio State's quarterback Will Howard, who is less mobile with only 131 rushing yards for the season. Meanwhile, Gruden's faith in Clemson has elicited mixed responses, with some calling it misguided due to their three-loss season and underdog status against Texas.
This NCAA playoff season, the stakes are higher than ever with the recent expansion to 12 teams shaking up the traditional narrative. Gruden's predictions reflect not just strategic analysis but also lean heavily on passion for teams with strong foundations and histories. The stage is set for intense matchups as the College Football Playoff continues, and one can only speculate whether Gruden's daring picks will pay off or fall flat.
With the College Football Playoff already generating palpable excitement, many eyes will be on Tennessee as they take on Ohio State. Kickoff is set to ignite the hopes of fans and players alike, with analysts and viewers alike eagerly awaiting the outcomes of Gruden's predictions throughout the playoffs.
