Phil Steele Predicts Seventh Straight CFP Appearance for Clemson, But No National Title

For those craving some fresh blood in the playoff next season, one of the sports most well-known analysts has some bad news for you. He doesn’t think it’s happening.

College football expert Phil Steele recently joined the Klahr and Company podcast on ESPN Denver for the Big CFB Show and revealed his College Football Playoff predictions for 2021.

“Well, the Final Four I really went out on a limb this year,” Steele said. “I mean, Alabama out of the SEC. I’ve got Clemson out of the ACC. How about Ohio State out of the Big Ten. And I’ve got Oklahoma out of the Big 12.”

However, for those looking for a little change, Steele is predicting something different. Oklahoma, who has become the butt of many jokes when it comes to the regularity in which they get blown out in the semifinal round, is the team he is hitching his wagon to.

“I actually like Oklahoma this year,” Steele said. “I think when you look at the big four, the other three teams Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, all had some significant losses to the NFL draft. All of them lost their quarterback, and when you look at Oklahoma they’re a team that’s got a veteran quarterback.”

“And what have we seen under Lincoln Riley when he has a veteran quarterback? Two Heisman trophies and one quarterback that was a Heisman finalist. So you know they’re going to be potent on offense. They’ve got Kennedy Brooks, Eric Gray, Marcus Major at running back, a loaded receiving corps, which I rate No. 2 in the country, and my No. 1 rated offensive line in the country.”