AP poll journalist Ralph Russo makes his predictions for this year

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
ACC — Clemson over Miami.
American Athletic Conference — UCF over Cincinnati
Big 12 — Texas over Oklahoma.
Conference USA — Western Kentucky over UAB.
Southeastern Conference — Alabama over Georgia.

HEISMAN TROPHY
Top five Heisman picks:
Lawrence
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
D’Eriq King, QB, Miami
Dillon Gabriel, QB, UCF

NEW YEAR’S SIX BOWL/PLAYOFF
Orange Bowl — Miami vs. Georgia.

Peach Bowl — Florida vs. Louisiana.

Cotton Bowl — Texas A&M vs. Iowa State.

Fiesta Bowl — Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame.

Rose Bowl semifinal — No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Texas.

Sugar Bowl semifinal — No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 UCF.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

In a season of uncertainty, go with the sure things. Alabama vs. Clemson for the fourth time in the title game with the Tide taking it to draw even at 2-2 (3-2 overall in five CFP meetings). It will be national title No. 7 for Nick Saban, six with the Tide.

TOP 25

In past seasons, we would pick three teams that began the season ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 that would end up outside the final rankings. We would also predict three teams outside the Top 25 at the beginning that would end up ranked.

Three teams that won’t live up to their preseason expectations:
No. 6 LSU,
No. 15 Oklahoma State
No. 18 North Carolina.

Three teams that will be better than expected:
Kentucky (received 20 points in preseason Top 25),
SMU (3 points);
Pittsburgh (0 points)

LINK

SEC teams and players are in bold.