The field of four teams for the first ever college football playoff was announced last week and included the Big Ten's very own Ohio State. Among the other teams were SEC powerhouse Alabama (who will face Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl), defending champion Florida State, and Pac-12 champion Oregon (the latter two will meet in the Rose Bowl). The selection committee of 12 had a difficult task to complete when choosing four teams, eliminating two strong Big 12 teams in TCU and Baylor from championship contention with their choice. 

A lot of people thought that Ohio State didn't deserve to be in after suffering a loss to lowly Virginia Tech at home in the second game of the season. The loss was much worse than every other one loss team in contention for the playoffs, but I fully agree with the committee's Big Ten choice. 

The Big Ten is no longer the weak conference that it has previously been known to be. I think the Buckeyes will prove that when they face Alabama. After watching Ohio State dismantle a Wisconsin team, 59-0, with their third string quarterback starting in the conference title game, I think a statement was made. 

Critics may argue that the beatdown only confirms Big Ten weakness, but to me the Buckeyes are just that strong. The Badgers are a good team, but the Bucks are playing inspired football right now. As if suffering major player losses to injuries (not one but two Heisman-caliber quarterbacks) in a season wasn't enough, a shocking death -- apparently by suicide - of one of their players, Kosta Karageorge, has lit a fire in the Bucks' hearts. 

Since losing to Tech, the Buckeyes have won 11 games in a row despite the aforementioned injuries. It is good news for the Big Ten that we got a team into the first ever College Football Playoff. Accomplishing this puts six million into the conference's pocket, speaks volumes about its strength, and definitely makes our Gophers look better.

The match-ups in this playoff are highly anticipated, and with them, I have a few predictions, starting with Oregon vs. Florida State. I'm picking Oregon in this game because of Marcus Mariota. The best player in college football this year will face off with previous Heisman winner and QB counterpart Jameis Winston, and I'm predicting Oregon to win by two touchdowns. Winston and the Seminoles have looked suspect the whole year despite being undefeated. Their time has come, and I think the skilled, high-scoring Ducks will deliver a statement win. 

The other game, Ohio State vs. Alabama, should be a fun one to watch and means a lot for the Big Ten conference. I touched earlier on how well the Buckeyes have been playing lately, and I think that will carry over into this semifinal match up. The inspired Bucks will prove that the Big Ten conference can win a big game against an SEC school and win this one by a touchdown. 

In the championship though, I have to predict that the Buckeye's streak will come to an end. An exciting playoff will conclude with an exciting championship game and an Oregon Ducks national title. Final score: Oregon 38, Ohio State 28. 

Whether or not my predictions hold true, make sure to check out the College Football Playoff and all the bowl games in general. Don't forget to cheer on our Gophers to a victory over Mizzou in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1!! Go Gophers!