I definitely agree with you on Notre Dame. I think Wimbush and his backup, Ian Book, are both underwhelming. They lost Josh Adams at RB to the NFL and I don't like his replacements. They lost their two stud o-linemen to the NFL, and they even lost their o-line coach to the Chicago Bears. I think their defense will be solid despite losing Elko, but it won't set the world on fire. I'm thinking they finish either 7-5 or 8-4.
As for Penn State, I'm really not sure what to think. McSorley is back, they have two 5 star RBs in Miles Sanders and Ricky Slade, a solid receiving corps headlined by 5 star freshman Justin Shorter, an improved o-line with experienced returning starters, and an OC promoted from TE coach who called a nice game in the Fiesta Bowl. On the other hand, they lost a good amount of production on defense and are thin at LB. I think their DC, Brent Pry, is a very good under-the-radar DC, and he should have them playing well. The reason I'm unsure about them is because I keep having a suspicion that McSorley is overrated and might just be above average this year. As for their schedule, it's manageable because they get most of their difficult opponents at home in Happy Valley. I think they'll lose on the road to Michigan, and they'll probably lose to either tOSU or Wisconsin to finish 10-2.
I actually think Clemson is as good as they're billed. Their defense should be a top 5 unit at the absolute minimum; Venables is too good to not field a great unit on that side of the ball with their personnel. As for their offense, I think it could sputter if they stick with Kelly Bryant to start. Their star freshman QB, Trevor Lawrence, seems like a sure-fire stud. They have great receivers and a good RB corps. However, I think their o-line is a bit underwhelming. They have the most continuity on the coaching staff year-to-year out of any FBS team. It just seems too good to fail, but I'm interested to hear why you're skeptical about them. I think they'll lose one game on their schedule, most likely on the road to either FSU or BC (who has a great RB, good o-line, and solid defense). I really don't think they'll win it all this year, but I expect them to make the playoff.
As for the CFP, I think we'll see three expected teams and maybe one team that's a bit outside of the box. There has yet to be a playoff with four teams that have all been there before, but there's also only been four iterations of it so far. I think the SEC is fairly predictable, and the winner of a Bama/Georgia SEC championship game will get in (I think Georgia wins the SEC again this year). I think Clemson wins the ACC and makes the playoff. I think the PAC-12 gets left out because one of Washington, USC, Stanford, and the dark-horses fails to separate from the pack. As for the Big 12, I really don't think there's a playoff team this year. I doubt Kyler Murray is good enough for them to go 11-1, especially with their awful defense. I don't think TCU is good enough to break through to the playoff this year either. Also, I doubt Tom Herman has the team in shape to contend for the playoff this year, but I can see a 9-3/10-2 type of season. As for the BIG, I'm high on Michigan with Shea Patterson this year. I think the winner of the Michigan/MSU game ultimately wins the conference title game over Wisconsin. If I'm making a prediction right now, my gut says Michigan wins the BIG and makes the playoff this year. Unfortunately, I think the SEC gets two teams in again this year because Alabama's lone loss will be to Georgia in the SEC championship game. Just typing that makes me sick, but I'm trying to be objective. Anyway, I can't wait to be wrong on over half of these predictions and shake my head in disbelief that I couldn't see what will happen coming as of right now.