Desmond Howard's Preseason CFP Prediction Was Almost Spot-On
ESPN college football analyst Desmond Howard often takes a lot of criticism for his annual preseason prediction of Michigan's success, but he almost nailed his preseason CFP prediction. Back in August, Howard predicted that the final four teams would be Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, and Texas. Although he took a lot of flak for his prediction, it turns out that Howard was almost 100 percent correct.
He accurately predicted three of the top four teams in this year's playoff, with his only misfire being Florida State - and we know the story surrounding Florida State.
Here's a look at how college football fans reacted to Howard's CFP prediction at the time:
You get the idea.
Not only did Howards alma mater make the playoff for the third consecutive year, the Wolverines do so as the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Michigan is currently a perfect 13-0 for the second straight season and is scheduled to face No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1.
Speaking of Alabama, the Crimson Tide (12-1) were able to squeak their way into the playoff by beating Georgia (12-1) in the SEC Championship game by a score of 27-24. Oddly enough, it was Georgia - a team that spent nearly the entire season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll - that was ultimately left out of the playoff after a three-point loss to Bama in the conference championship game.
Texas (12-1) took care of business in its conference championship game, defeating Oklahoma State by a score of 49-21. Alabama's win over Georgia, along with an early season win for Texas over Alabama, ultimately propelled the Longhorns into the No. 3 spot in the CFP.
Much like Michigan, the No. 2 ranked Washington Huskies went the traditional route to the CFP - defeating Oregon in the Pac 12 Championship game and finishing the regular season at a perfect 13-0.
Although the CFP selection often leads to some controversy every single year, the decision to leave out Florida State - a team that is 13-0 and winners of the ACC Conference Championship - led to what is unquestionably the most controversial decision of the committee in the playoff era. There were only three Power Five teams that finished the season as conference champions with a perfect record, and two of those teams (Michigan and Washington) made the playoff. In spite of doing everything required to make the playoff, the committee decided that an injury to Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis meant that the Seminoles weren't worthy of a playoff spot.
