CFP Predictions After Week 1: Ohio State knocking at the door

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COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 31: Quarterback Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes breaks free for a 51-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ohio Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

5. The Ohio State Buckeyes

It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for. The Buckeyes are knocking on the door of the top four once again.

The number 5 seems to haunt this team, as the Bucks seem to be just barely out of the top four every single year. Ohio State may finally have the pieces to put it all together this year and compete for their first college football playoff appearance since 2016.

Justin Fields lit up Florida Atlantic, accounting for 5 total touchdowns. His dual threat ability combined with the already established dominance of running back J.K. Dobbins gives Ohio State a rushing threat that they didn’t have with Dwayne Haskins.

The Buckeye defense also looked solid early on in the game against FAU, which was this team’s Achilles heel last season. The Buckeye’s first real test comes on Saturday against a startlingly good Cincinnati team. If Fields has similar success against Cincy, then real Heisman talk can begin.

6. LSU

Wow! Another SEC team rounds out this list. LSU did a shocking thing in week one; they played tremendous offense. Joe Burrow lit up the Georgia Southern defense for five touchdowns. LSU’s new “wide open” offense looked fantastic, even if it was against a lowly opponent like Georgia Southern.

LSU’s strength on defense is well documented, and if the offense can match their defense and play complimentary football, then the Tigers could find themselves in my top four as soon as next week. LSU will play Texas in Austin and that matchup has huge playoff implications. If the Longhorns win, they could very well be mentioned in a similar article next week.

Now the situation for Ohio State and the Heisman watch.

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