Predicting the 2016 College Football Playoff

Another college football season is upon us. Every Saturday between now and December will be filled with games with College Football Playoff implications, but it's only natural to try to gaze into our crystal balls and take a guess at how the season will play out.

As the second year of the CFP gets underway, here are the picks from the panel of krikya18.com editors:

Joe Boozell

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
I’m drinking the Kool-Aid. Jeremy Johnson is the most dynamic quarterback the Tigers have had since Cam Newton, and Jovon Robinson is an absolute load in the backfield. Gus Malzahn has done plenty with much less in the past, and if the secondary can at least be competent, Auburn will have a huge season. War Eagle. Heisman pick: Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

Tyler Greenawalt

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
Ohio State has too much talent and experience returning for the Buckeyes not to win it all. While they won’t surprise anyone this year, the playmaking ability between WR/H-back Braxton Miller, RB Ezekiel Elliot, WR Michael Thomas, and a combination of J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones at quarterback should gives teams nightmares. And on defense, the Buckeyes remain stout up front with Joey Bosa and should continue to stymie college football’s most potent offenses. Heisman pick: Trevone Boykin, TCU

Courtney Martinez

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
The Buckeyes have everything going for them in 2015. Fifteen starters return to the field including running back Ezekiel Elliott, who exploded for Ohio State in the playoffs. The offense has even more star power with J.T Barrett, Cardale Jones and Braxton Miller. Plus, they have a manageable schedule that should carry them into the playoff. Yes, repeats are rare, as there have been only two [three if you count USC AP championships] since 1995. But it’s still hard to go against the Buckeyes this year. Heisman pick: Nick Chubb, Georgia

Sam Richmond

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
To win a national championship, you have to make the playoffs, and Ohio State has by far the easiest path to reach the semifinals among the top contenders. And once they make the playoff, the Buckeyes have more than enough talent to win the season’s final two games. They will have an elite quarterback, arguably the best running back in the nation and a solid enough defense to reach college football’s mountaintop again. Heisman pick: Trevone Boykin, TCU

Craig Thomas

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
It’s really an upset here if Ohio State doesn’t repeat. The Buckeyes are loaded, even without the quarterback drama. During his time in Columbus, Urban Meyer ripped the ‘Best Coach’ championship belt from Nick Saban and he’s not giving it back anytime soon. Heisman pick: Trevone Boykin, TCU

Eric Vander Voort

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
Remember what happened when TCU had a month to prepare for a bowl game with that “we didn’t get into the playoff” chip on their shoulder? The Horned Frogs blew away Ole Miss 42-3. Now, they have had an entire offseason to prepare, and that chip isn’t gone. Trevone Boykin could be the best quarterback in the country, and the 15 other starters return to lead a TCU team that could run the table. As for the Boise State pick, there won’t be four undefeated teams -- so if the Broncos do go unbeaten, they have to be in, right? Heisman pick: Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

Austin Vaughn

NATIONAL CHAMPION	RUNNER-UP	PLAYOFF	PLAYOFF
2014’s Pac-12 South champions will enter this season more prepared to face the tough conference slate before them, and with Oregon having to replace a Heisman winner with a former FCS quarterback, not too much is stopping the older, wizened Wildcats from winning the conference and securing a place in the playoff. With the entire SEC weak at the quarterback position, the Big 12 not offering too much in terms of defensive tests and Ohio State taking everyone’s best shot all season, Arizona has the upper hand in a playoff field where the only complete team has most likely sustained serious injuries throughout the season. Heisman pick: Whichever Buckeye QB gets more playing time