For the record, I would like to see the UCF Knights in the College Football Playoff. I’d also like to win a million dollars. Both have same long shot. That is the system that has always been in place.

It was like this in 2008, when Utah went undefeated for second time in four seasons, but did not get a chance. It was same with Boise State. It’s the system. That’s how it operates and some actually enjoy all of you complaining about it because it creates conversation about the sport. I learned that a while ago.

CFP Ranking Projections

So this is what I think the CFP Playoff rankings will look like on Tuesday, as I think UCF will get knocked for schedule strength and lack of quality wins:

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. Ohio State ‘
9. Washington State
10. West Virginia
11. Kentucky
12. Florida
13. UCF

I would not be surprised if LSU is ranked higher than Notre Dame or Clemson, based on their wins over Georgia, Auburn and Miami. But I’m keeping LSU at 4.

So if UCF is not in the playoff, where are they going? Assuming UCF wins out and wins The American, I believe they will go either to the Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl.

Below I projected what the bowl matchups would look like as of today. I’ll be constantly updating this weekly.

Peach Bowl

• Saturday, December 29th, Noon, ESPN
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
• At-large vs. At-large

Projection: UCF vs. Kentucky

Fiesta Bowl

• Tuesday, January 1st, 1 p.m., ESPN
• University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
• At-large vs. At-large

Projection: Georgia vs. West Virginia

Rose Bowl

• Tuesday, January 1st, 5 p.m., ESPN
• Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
• Big Ten vs. Pac-12

Projection: Ohio State vs. Washington State

Sugar Bowl

• Tuesday, January 1st, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New Orleans, LA
• Big 12 vs. SEC

Projection: Texas vs. LSU

Cotton Bowl

• Saturday, December 29th, 4 or 8 p.m., ESPN
• AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
• CFP National Semifinal

Projection: Notre Dame vs. Clemson

Orange Bowl

• Saturday, December 29th, 4 or 8 p.m., ESPN
• Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
• CFP National Semifinal

Projection: Michigan vs. Alabama

If it was up to me. I would have an 8-team playoff, where we would have five conference champions from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, and SEC get an automatic bid, and the best conference champion from the rest of the other conferences (American, Mountain West, Sun Belt, C-USA, MAC) would a guaranteed bid. So UCF would be the choice based on that ranking.

This would mean that every game in the conference has significance for all of the conferences. It also would add pressure for schools to play quality non-conference games for resume purposes in case you do not win the conference championship.

Some would say, “Well, would that not mean you have a 2-4 loss team potentially in?” I say, “So what?” Did anyone complain when the Giants won Super Bowl with 9-7 record? Sometimes teams get better as the season goes on after a slow start.

Here is how that 8-team playoff would look if I had it my way:

1. Alabama (SEC Champion)
2. Clemson (ACC Champion)
3. Michigan (Big Ten Champion)
4. Oklahoma (Big 12 Champion)
5. Washington State (Pac-12 Champion)
6. UCF (Group of 5 Champion)
7. Notre Dame (At-Large)
8. LSU (At-Large)

• Last two teams out: Georgia and Ohio State

Matchups

• 1 Alabama vs. 8 Washington State at Sugar Bowl in New Orleans
• 2 Clemson vs. 7 UCF at Orange Bowl in Miami
• 3 Notre Dame vs. 6 LSU at Fiesta Bowl in Glendale
• 4 Michigan vs. 5 Oklahoma at Rose Bowl in Pasadena

What do you think? Let me know below.