QBE Shootout: Field sizes up the College Football Playoff

Interest in the College Football Playoffs has filtered down to Tiburón Golf Club, and QBE Shootout players and as expected the large contingent of five former Georgia players has put a positive spin on the Bulldogs.

“Bulldogs have really delivered this year, a fantastic coaching job by (Kirby) Smart and his staff have made it a special year,” Kevin Kisner said. “Now the sky is the limit but it’s going to be tough, starting with Oklahoma.”

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Clemson will play Alabama in one semifinal, and Georgia faces Oklahoma in the other.

Defending QBE Shootout champions Matt Kuchar and Harris English had an interesting discussion since the former played at Georgia Tech and the latter at Georgia. The Bulldogs easily won the annual meeting two weeks ago.

“I haven’t brought that up,” English said.

“Georgia put a good whooping on us, they clearly have bragging rights,” Kuchar said. “The Dawgs are awfully strong.”

“I can’t promise you that I’m going to cheer for them in the playoffs, but…..”

“You won’t?” English said.

“I don’t have any ties to Oklahoma, so I’d probably cheer for the Dawgs,” Kuchar said.

Bubba Watson isn't as frenzied as some of his Georgia brethren.

“Obviously I’m pulling for the Bulldogs but I don’t root or get as involved as the other guys,” Watson said. “I won’t pout if they lose.”

QBE Shootout partners Russell Henley and Kyle Stanley somewhat mirror the English/Kuchar team with the latter a Bulldog and Stanley a Clemson product.

“Georgia is capable of winning everything but it won’t be easy,” Henley said.

Stanley had a different view of the final four selections.

“I was hoping Ohio State would sneak into that 4 seed, Alabama in any situation will be a tough team to play,” said Stanley, whose Tigers now face the Crimson Tide. “I think both games will be exciting because all four teams are good.”

University of Florida graduate Billy Horschel likes the Crimson Tide.

“I think Alabama is the better team, if they get healthy on defense,” he said. “I think they’re going to be tough to beat.”

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Former Auburn golfer Jason Dufner still lives in Auburn and attends most home games.

“These are four good teams and all of them should feel they have an opportunity to win it all,” Dufner said. “Auburn had three tough games to finish the season, Georgia twice and Alabama, and it proved to be asking a little too much.

“I watched a lot of Clemson – pretty tough. I got to see Georgia and Alabama and they’re good. I think Clemson and Oklahoma might be a little better than ‘Bama and Georgia. My allegiance with these games kind of goes who I’m betting on, so we’ll have to see."

Sports editor Greg Hardwig contributed to this article.