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Ohio State Football: Evaluating the 8 top CFP contenders in 2019

By Blake Biscardi

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Singer Andy Grammer performs the national anthem as the American flag waves on the field prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Singer Andy Grammer performs the national anthem as the American flag waves on the field prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 7: Head coach of the Utah Utes Kyle Whittingham talk to his players during the first half of an college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 7, 2017 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 7: Head coach of the Utah Utes Kyle Whittingham talk to his players during the first half of an college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 7, 2017 at Rice Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /

The Ohio State football team has a lot of question marks but is loaded with talent. How will the Bucks and the rest of the CFP contenders fare in 2019?

In my season prediction piece from earlier this week, I briefly outlined my top 25 teams and how I thought they’d perform throughout the 2019 campaign. Now, I will choose the eight teams I believe will be in contention for the College Football Playoff.

Let’s take an expanded look at this year’s potential playoff contenders. For easier reference and comparison, I will use the same snippet for each team as well as offer my projection.

No. 8 Utah Utes 

* Projected Reg. Season Record: 11-1 (12-1)
* SOS: #55
* Postseason Projection: Rose Bowl
* Key Matchups: @USC (Friday), @Washington

The Utes have one of the easiest schedules in the Power 5 and the best part is they only have two supposedly difficult road games. A trip to Southern California on a Friday night could be tricky, but the Utah defensive line will rise to the occasion in a close contest.

Facing Washington later in the season on the road is where I believe Utah will see it’s first and only loss prior to the postseason. I think the Utes roll through their schedule, but will be a bit overrated and therefore miss the CFP.

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