But here at ESPN bowl prediction headquarters in downtown Indianapolis, we're not afraid of any circumstances. So let's get to the picks, from campus CFP sites through traditional bowls and all the way to the national title game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.

Luckily for ESPN, when it comes to the College Football Playoff, we’ve arrived at this point. The first round of this season’s playoff — brought you by ESPN! — was dominated not by the excitement of the first sport-changing opening round of the 12-team format,