1989 CFP - Who would have won it all?

[OrangeAfroMan]

1989 version of the college football playoff.  It's December 5, 1989.  You're predicting the outcome of the CFP.  Now bowls have been played yet.
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The teams:
1 - Colorado 11-0, Big 8 Champions
Only undefeated team in 1-A.  
4th in scoring offense
8th in scoring defense
33rd in strength of schedule
The Buffs beat 3 ranked opponents in 1989 - blowing out #10 Illinois and #21 Washington, and a six-point win over #3 Nebraska.  The explosive option offense hit 40+ points in seven of eleven games.  Rushed for 371 yds per game - both QB Darian Hagan and JJ Flannigan going for over 1,000 yards and 15+ TDs each.  Great return game and AA punter.  Not built to come from behind, Hagan threw as many INTs as TDs, but any completed pass was for a long gainer.




2 - Miami (FL) 10-1, Independent
8th in scoring offense
1st in scoring defense
40th in strength of schedule
The Canes played 3 ranked teams as well, losing @ #9 FSU by 14, but beating #14 Pitt and #1 ND by 3+ scores each.  The defense held 8 of 11 opponents to 10 points or less.  Lethargic running game was merely a change-of-pace from the lethal passing attack manned by 2 QBs (Erickson and Torretta).  Averaging 300+ yards passing per game to speedy receivers was offset by throwing almost as many INTs as TDs.  The secondary was ball-hawking, snagging 21 INTs themselves, but the strength of the team was the run defense:  69 yards rushing allowed per game.  




3 - Michigan 10-1, Big Ten Champions
35th in scoring offense
12th in scoring defense
13th in strength of schedule
The Wolverines began their season in a 1 vs 2 matchup with ND, losing by 5.  They haven't lost since, winning 10 in a row, including 4 bowl teams.  Close wins over #24 UCLA and #21 MSU as well as two-score victories over #8 Illinois and #20 OSU.  This team didn't have a huge offense or a special defense, although the run D was strong.  They just won games.  Their 2-headed QB featured a runner (Michael Taylor) and a passer (Elvis Grbac), yielding a very efficient 19 TD passes to 6 INT.  The RB duo of Hoard and Boles was effective and tough to bring down.  The return game was strong and the kicker, Carlson, made 12 of 13 FGs on the year.  




4 - Notre Dame 11-1, Independent
11th in scoring offense
9th in scoring defense
2nd in strength of schedule
The Irish faced six ranked opponents, among the toughest slates in the country.  They won the first five before succumbing to Miami on the road to close the regular season.  Along the way, they beat #2 Michigan, #17 Air Force, #9 USC, and #17 Penn State.  Their biggest victory was 45-7 vs #7 Pitt.  ND was #1 for much of the season, and while they controlled the ground game, their issues were in the air.  ND gave up a lot of passing success and found little themselves.  Effective option QB Tony Rice threw only 2 passing TDs all year, but had 9 INTs.  Rice led the Irish in rushing, though, and with Ricky Watters and Rocket Ismail on the wings, the running game had a lot of big plays.  Watters and Ismail were also elite return men.  The secondary did pilfer opposing QBs over 20 times while allowing all those yards.  
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Award winners/All-Americans involved:
QB Tony Rice, ND - Unitas Golden Arm Award
Bill McCartney, Colorado - Coach of the Year
OL Joe Garten, Colorado
DL Greg Mark, Miami
NT Chris Zorich, ND
LB Alfred Williams, Colorado
CB Todd Lyght, ND
CB Tripp Welborne, Michigan
P  Tom Rouen, Colorado
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Semifinals:
1 Colorado vs 4 Notre Dame
2 Miami vs 3 Michigan

[ELA]

Florida State was probably playing better than anyone, but two early losses eliminate them.

Since the Noles aren't here, I'll take the Canes.

[MarqHusker]

That was Torettas first start,  as Erickson was injured.  He threw a pick six right away.  Noles were so wired that night.

[Entropy]

I voted Colorado because I saw them more than the canes in 1989... that said, those would be my top two choices.  

[SFBadger96]

Well, Notre Dame smoked (smocked?) Colorado in the Orange Bowl, so there's one semi-final handled. I just don't know enough about Michigan, but I know Miami was playing really, really well, and didn't have much trouble against the Irish in the last week of the season--aided by converting a 3rd and 44 (yup--they needed 44 yards, and they got exactly that). If every game has key moments, that was it in that game. Miami was up a touchdown in the third quarter, but facing an impossible 3rd down--except it wasn't impossible and they got it. It was back breaking. Miami ends up scoring a touchdown after a 118-yard drive, going up 14, and win by 17.

I'm assuming another rematch between the Irish and Miami, and think the Irish would be more competitive the second time around, but probably still lose.

[Brutus Buckeye]

It wouldn't have been the Wolverines.