A Patriot’s Guide to Picking a College Football Playoff Team
The College Football Playoff forms the climax of America’s greatest sport.
After a grueling season, only 12 teams remain. Their entire communities are sitting on pins and needles this week, waiting for the high-stakes action to begin. When the dust settles, one victor will lift the golden trophy, securing eternal bragging rights for their players, fans, and alumni.
But what if you root for one of the other 122 teams? You likely want a piece of the action, so who deserves your loyalty? Sports are always better when you have skin in the game.
I’m here to help.
Assuming you’re a conservative (because the liberals are all busy watching "soccer"), I’ll make the case for you to cheer for each team, from the 12-seed all the way to number one. Choose the one that speaks to you!
12. The Underdog – James Madison Dukes
The United States of America began as a massive underdog. A ragtag group of colonial leaders united in warfare, both physical and ideological, against the world’s greatest empire. James Madison, true to its name, will fight a similar battle in the Playoff as a tiny school, who just recently ascended from lower levels of the sport to the semi-obscure Sun Belt Conference.
11. Free Market Maniac – Tulane Green Wave
America’s success largely stems from an unrelenting commitment to free market capitalism. As the only small private school present in the 12 team field, Tulane competes against mostly massive land-grant universities who have all the advantages of government favors.
10. The Red City – Miami Hurricanes
In the 2024 election cycle, Miami-Dade county voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump. He won the oft-blue county by 11 points, making Miami the reddest major city in the United States. Cheer for the Hurricanes to be a part of the historic renaissance on the southeastern tip of the Sunshine state.
9. Donald’s Pick – Alabama Crimson Tide
Even as “woke” higher education fades, most universities still refuse to treat President Trump with the honor typical to the office. Not Alabama. The University invited Mr. Trump to speak at its 2025 graduation ceremony. The Don has attended three Alabama games since 2016. If you choose the Tide, you’ll likely have the President saying “Roll Tide” alongside you.
8. Law and Order – Oklahoma Sooners
Over the last 10 years, high-flying offenses progressively took over college football. The rules have changed, and each season more offenses take advantage of rulebook loopholes to score with impunity. Old-school football fans such as myself call that a crime. This year’s Oklahoma defense is the sheriff. It may be the best unit in years. Can they turn back the clock to simpler, safer times?
7. Salute to Service – Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M is home to the largest military student organization outside of the service academies. Their Core of Cadets produces some of our nation's finest soldiers, and their precision, discipline, and spirit infects the culture of the entire school. Many schools allow prima-donna players to run wild, but A&M Coach Mike Elko’s squad is known for toughness and teamwork.
6. Rebels *With A Cause – Ole Miss Rebels
American history isn’t without bumps and bruises. We’ve lost wars (yes, it’s true). We’ve worked through economic depressions. But the nation has always rallied. Currently, Ole Miss is facing a major crisis, with now-former Head Coach Lane Kiffin defecting from his championship-contending team to accept a job with bitter rival LSU. Their coach quit on them, but have they quit on themselves? New coach Pete Golding needs all the support he can get…
5. Team Turning Point – Oregon Ducks
Charlie Kirk famously avoided college, but he loved football. From a young age, he rooted for Oregon, with friends describing him as a “monster Ducks fan.” After Kirk’s tragic death, Oregon’s coach, Dan Lanning, chose to eulogize his lost fan. While many leaders hedged statements by decrying Kirk’s beliefs, Lanning did not. He condemned the shooter before calling for unity, pointing to his politically diverse locker room as a model for a better America.
A trophy would prove him right.
4. The Wild Westerner – Texas Tech Red Raiders
The frontiersman, harbinger of a manifest destiny, holds a critical place in Americana. Texas Tech’s squad inherited that spirit. A team of misfit toys, forged into one unit in the Lubbock dust, overcame all conventional wisdom to win the Big12 conference. Consider tapping into the swagger and confidence of the Cowboy killers.
3. The Dynasty – Georgia Bulldogs
For the last 100 years, the United States has dominated the globe. We own the skies, the seas, the stars, and even “the finish line” (Yes, I just quoted Joe Biden. It was cool). The University of Georgia has an opportunity to earn its third championship in five seasons. That’s historic territory. If you cheer for greatness, pick those hairy Dawgs.
2. Hillbilly Elegy – Ohio State Buckeyes
Vice President and Republican darling JD Vance attended (The) Ohio State, and remains a staunch supporter of the football program. In his pre-political days, he made frequent stops as a guest speaker in Columbus. He stands at the helm of a blue-collar fanbase that embodies the themes of “Hillbilly Elegy.” If you dig JD’s rust-belt aesthetics, Ohio State is the choice for you.
1. Rags to Riches – Indiana Hoosiers
Nothing typifies American culture more strongly than a classic rags-to-riches story. Andrew Carnegie. Elvis. Oprah. And now, Indiana football. Just three years ago, Indiana was a laughing stock, becoming the first D1 football program to lose 700 games. Now, led by firebrand personality Curt Cignetti and newly minted Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, Indiana stands atop the college football world.
Can they finish the job?
Let us know who you’re rooting for on socials!