Josh Pate predicts entire College Football Playoff, reveals national champion ahead of first round

Friday brings the official beginning of the College Football Playoff. Gaylord Memorial Stadium will be the first host, showcasing two SEC teams in a rematch. But until then, there is still time for everyone to get their full predictions in.

Josh Pate joined the party in Tuesday’s episode of Josh Pate’s College Football Show. He revealed his entire CFP prediction while revealing his national champion. You can check out the full thing here, beginning with the aforementioned showdown at Owen Field.

College Football Playoff First Round Games

No. 8 Oklahoma over No. 9 Alabama

Pate admits to having no real strong feeling about this game. He does not have high hopes for either team in the next round either way. So, home-field advantage comes into play here, picking the Sooners.

No. 5 Oregon over No. 12 James Madison

Not much thought went into this prediction for Pate. Oregon is a heavy favorite over the Sun Belt champions. Potentially a breezy Saturday afternoon is coming for Dan Lanning‘s squad.

No. 6 Ole Miss over No. 11 Tulane

The same can be said for Ole Miss, facing a team they already handily beat this year. Tulane comes to Oxford a second time, looking to keep head coach Jon Sumrall around for another game. This time, his matchup comes against Pete Golding.

No. 7 Texas A&M over No. 10 Miami

Similar to the first game, this is one where Pate has gone back and forth. Texas A&M also playing at home is a factor, as Kyle Field should be ready to rock despite the noon ET start. Waiting on the other side is a pseudo-home game at the Cotton Bowl.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals

No. 1 Indiana over No. 9 Oklahoma

Indiana has not played in the Rose Bowl since 1968. Oklahoma traveled out West for the 2017 CFP, producing an all-time game against Georgia. Hopefully, another thriller takes place in Pasadena with a semifinal spot on the line.

No. 5 Oregon over No. 4 Texas Tech

By seeding, this is the first upset prediction for Pate. Oregon is getting the nod over Texas Tech, sending the five-seed into the final four spots.

No. 2 Ohio State over No. 7 Texas A&M

For a second straight CFP, Ohio State would walk into AT&T Stadium against a team from the Lone Star State. And for a second straight CFP, they have a chance to advance closer to a national championship. Pate likes them to get the job done, ending a magical season for Texas A&M.

No. 3 Georgia over No. 6 Ole Miss

This provides another rematch for Ole Miss, switching up the venue. Georgia won a thriller in Athens earlier this season, only for New Orleans to host the CFP quarterfinal. Pate likes the Bulldogs once again.

College Football Playoff Semifinals

No. 5 Oregon over No. 1 Indiana

“I am buying into the idea of Oregon peaking at the right time,” Pate said. “I am buying into the idea of a big-time injury for Indiana costing them defensively, while, simultaneously, Oregon is getting healthy… I’m going to pick Oregon to win that game and advance to the national championship.”

No. 2 Ohio State over No. 3 Georgia

Pate did not give much commentary on why Ohio State would beat Georgia in this CFP semifinal. However, if you look ahead to the national championship prediction, you might get a good sense of what he thinks of the Buckeyes.

National Championship

No. 2 Ohio State over No. 5 Oregon

“If Ohio State has made it this far, the clearly means Ohio State is playing a different brand of football than we saw against Indiana. The only team we’ve seen defeat Ohio State this year was Indiana and they’re eliminated… I’m going to take Ohio State. I’ll take Ryan Day to repeat, I’ll take the Buckeyes to repeat. I just think they’re the better team.”