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Predicting 2017 NCAA Tournament based on 2016 football teams

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) walks back to the locker room following a 26-13 victory against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) walks back to the locker room following a 26-13 victory against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Final Four and National Championship

Final Four

(11) USC vs. (3) Florida State

Was there a hotter team in college football to end the 2016 season than USC? Probably not. The Trojans faced off against an also red-hot Penn State team in the Rose Bowl and that game was everything fans could have asked for, and more. However, the Trojans remained scorching and there are some who believed they should have made the playoff, despite three losses.

Florida State, on the other hand, got off to a nice start on the year with a freshman quarterback in Deondre Francois. After the Louisville defeat, national pundits started recognizing flaws within the team, but the talent was still there. After a rough patch, the Seminoles finished the year strong and beat Michigan in an Orange Bowl thriller.

This one is a toss-up, but I’m sticking with the Trojans. Pick: USC

(7) Michigan vs. (1) North Carolina

Although Michigan finished third in the Big Ten East division, the Wolverines are trending up. They did, however, lose three of their last four games on the year, ending on kind of a sour note. Do they have the offensive firepower to get it done and take down North Carolina?

The Tar Heels have one of the best quarterbacks in the country and Mitch Trubisky led them to an 8-5 record and even a road victory over Florida State (who beat Michigan in the Orange Bowl). However, they just won’t be able to overcome Michigan’s elite defense in this matchup. Pick: Michigan

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National Championship

(11) USC vs. (7) Michigan

And here we are. The matchup that no one saw coming. If the 2017 NCAA Tournament bracket was made with football teams, this is what you’d likely see playing for the trophy.

Who wins this one? I think it comes down to the quarterback battle because USC isn’t going to have trouble scoring against Michigan’s defense with that loaded offense. However, Sam Darnold is worlds better than Wilton Speight and he will make the plays necessary to bring the title back to Southern California. Champion: USC

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