Cohen’s Corner 2021-22 College Football ‘Expert’ Predictions

Every season I look forward to writing the weekly Cohen’s Corner ‘Expert’ Picks column; it’s almost become a right of passage from 2017 to the present. I started this blog as an outlet, a place to post my picks and showcase them in the blogosphere and on social media. I was at a point in my life where I needed direction – I knew I wanted to do something in sports but had no idea where to go or who to turn to.

Fast forward four years later and somehow I managed to co-host a local Phoenix sports radio show for 2.5 years and make great friends /contacts in the industry. One of them, Shane Dale, is now my co-host on our weekly Arizona Athletics podcast, Wildcat Country, where I get to interview coaches, former players, and other personnel related to my alma mater’s sports teams. Seriously, what a thrill!

And so why do I bring all of this up? It’s the annual college football predictions column…why get so sappy? 

Unfortunately, at least for now, this is the only college football column I’m planning to write this season. With legal sports gambling approaching in Arizona, I’ve accepted a new position in industry, which I’m SO excited about! Yet at the same time, it’s in my best interests not to be promoting my weekly pro and college football picks without my new employer’s consent.

Thank you to my friends Jon Bell, Steve Malina, and Adam Lester, among others, who’ve contributed to this college football column over the last several years. For now here are our 2021-22 season picks / predictions and here’s to hoping we can return to the weekly picks in due time!

(Note: My NFL season predictions are coming next week)

Season Picks / Predictions

Eric Cohen
Twitter: @CohensCornerAZ
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College Football Playoff Semifinalists: Clemson, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio State
National Championship Game: Alabama over Clemson
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ACC Championship: Clemson over North Carolina
American Conference Championship: Cincinnati over UCF
Big 10 Championship: Ohio State over Wisconsin
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Iowa State
Pac 12 Championship: Washington over USC
SEC Championship: Alabama over Georgia
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Arizona Record (EC + SM’s team): 4-8
Ohio State Record (AL’s team): 11-1
Wisconsin Record (JB’s team): 9-3
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Heisman Trophy Winner: D.J. Uiagalelei (QB, Clemson)
Surprise Team (non top-20 team will finish in the top-10): Washington (#21 in coaches poll)
Bust (team in the top-15 who will finish unranked): Oregon
Coach to be fired / step down before 12/31/21: Chip Kelly (UCLA)

ADAM LESTER
Twitter: @AjayLester
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College Football Playoff Semifinalists: Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Clemson
National Championship Game: Ohio State over Alabama
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ACC Championship: Clemson over North Carolina
American Conference Championship: Cincinnati over Memphis
Big 10 Championship: Ohio State over Iowa
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Iowa State
Pac 12 Championship: Oregon over ASU
SEC Championship: Alabama over Georgia
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Arizona Record (EC + SM’s team): 5-7
Ohio State Record (AL’s team): 12-0
Wisconsin Record (JB’s team): 10-2
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Heisman Trophy Winner: C.J. Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
Surprise Team (non top-20 team will finish in the top-10): Boston College
Bust (team in the top-15 who will finish unranked): North Carolina
Coach to be fired / step down before 12/31/21: Scott Frost (Nebraska)

JON BELL
Twitter: @KosherCoach
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College Football Playoff Semifinalists: Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Clemson
National Championship Game: Ohio State over Alabama
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ACC Championship: Clemson over North Carolina
American Conference Championship: SMU over Cincinnati
Big 10 Championship: Ohio State over Iowa
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Baylor
Pac 12 Championship: Oregon over USC
SEC Championship: Alabama over Georgia
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Arizona Record (EC + SM’s team): 5-7
Ohio State Record (AL’s team): 11-1
Wisconsin Record (JB’s team): 9-3
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Heisman Trophy Winner: Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon)
Surprise Team (non top-20 team will finish in the top-10): Baylor
Bust (team in the top-15 who will finish unranked): Florida
Coach to be fired / step down before 12/31/21: Matt Wells (Texas Tech)

STEVE MALINA
Twitter: @BearDownSteven
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College Football Playoff Semifinalists: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma
National Championship Game: Alabama over Ohio State
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ACC Championship: Clemson over Miami
American Conference Championship: Cincinnati over SMU
Big 10 Championship: Ohio State over Wisconsin
Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma over Iowa State
Pac 12 Championship: USC over Oregon
SEC Championship: Alabama over Florida
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Arizona Record (EC + SM’s team): 4-8
Ohio State Record (AL’s team): 12-0
Wisconsin Record (JB’s team): 10-2
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Heisman Trophy Winner: D.J. Uiagalelei (QB, Clemson)
Surprise Team (non top-20 team will finish in the top-10): Washington (#21 in coaches poll)
Bust (team in the top-15 who will finish unranked): North Carolina
Coach to be fired / step down before 12/31/21: Justin Fuente (Virginia Tech)

To read previous entries of my blog, click here. Also make sure to follow me on Twitter, @cohenscorneraz.