Bowl projections: College Football Playoff predictions include one party crasher

Erick Smith | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Which will make the College Football Playoff and title game? SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports college football experts give their picks with the start of the season right around the corner.

Having two teams from the same conference in the College Football Playoff was bound to happen once the system went into place in 2014. And it is hard to argue both Georgia and Alabama were undeserving of their spots in the field last year.

With the precedent set, it more likely to envision the same scenario happening this year with the Tide and Bulldogs again loaded and the Big Ten East full of contenders along with Wisconsin in the opposite division.

But history has shown the playoff is also reserved for a select few. Four teams - Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and Ohio State - have earned 11 of the 16 berths handed out. The quartet all start in the top five of the rankings and should again be in the thick of things.

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Look for it to be another season of chalk with Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma each getting through the conference slate in prime position. That leaves one spot for someone to crash the party.

That nod goes to Penn State. Even though the Nittany Lions face a ridiculously tough schedule, most of their key games at home. Senior quarterback Trace McSorley should be able to make enough plays, and even one loss won't derail their hopes because of the tough path as long as it ends with a Big Ten title.

A reminder: Some conferences may not fulfill their bowl allotment. Asterisks denote a replacement pick.