Playoff Outlook: Given the Gators narrowly escaped in overtime against two-win Florida Atlantic on Saturday, and they face rival Florida State this week, the SEC’s playoff hopes have an Alabama-or-bust feel to them.
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Also, Stanford and Oklahoma State are similar opponents. The Heisman hopeful had a concussion last Saturday against TCU and sat out the second half. The reigning champs stood at No. 3 in each of the previous CFP rankings this season, but a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State(which rose to No. 5 this week) sent the Buckeyes spiraling down to No. 8. But only one of those teams will make the Final Four, and the Hawkeyes have a much less impressive resume compared to the Spartans. Even if all of this occurs, Ohio State then must beat Iowa to even have a chance for the Playoff. They could be blocked without an upset or two over the next couple weeks.
Notre Dame (10-1) came into the week fourth in the playoff rankings and hoped to hold off a hard-charging Iowa team that seeks to wrap up a ideal regular season this week. In Week 2, Notre Dame trailed Virginia (4-7) with 12 seconds left before third-string quarterback, and now starter, Deshone Kizer entered to toss a game winning 40-yard touchdown pass. The Committee may not look on such a tight win over a mediocre Virginia squad as a good win. It’s pretty simple: Defeat TCU and Texas.
MSU (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) moved up from No. 9 to No. 5 in the rankings after Saturday’s 17-14 win at then-No. After beating now-No. 11 Oklahoma State on the road, Baylor could make some massive noise even through it’s down to the third-string quarterback. But with the conference and in turn a potential Playoff spot on the line, as well as Michigan State playing in front of its home crowd, the Spartans will be amped up. And a win over a potentially undefeated Iowa would probably be enough to vault them back into the playoff. Losses by those teams would assure the ascent, however. After last year’s disappointment wouldn’t it be something if Oklahoma lost at Oklahoma State which is possible with Baker Mayfield’s status unknown? No. 1 Penn State (11-0) and No. 3 Oklahoma (10-1) faced each other in the Orange Bowl for what was advertised as the national title game. Based on this, and considering that the selection committee clearly puts a lot of weight on a team’s resume, a one-loss Iowa won’t impress many people. The Tar Heels have a tricky game against NC State this weekend, but in this scenario they beat the Wolfpack and climb into the CFP Selection Committee’s top 10 after this week. With Oklahoma (#3), Baylor (#7) and Oklahoma State (#11) all looking at potentially making a run at a playoff spot, Notre Dame would like the teams to knock each other off and create a messy situation at the top of the conference. Now, the challenge is to figure out a way OU might win Saturday and still fail to reach it.
No. 8 Ohio State beat the Hoosiers just 34-27 as IN threw a pass into the endzone on the game’s final play after a fourth-down snap from the 9-yardline that hit a receiver IN the hands.
The problem now for Notre Dame is it has one game left against No. 9 Stanford. Losing to FSU and then beating ‘Bama would certainly do the trick.
Michigan State might have helped its stock the most, aside from Oklahoma. And if Stanford wins out, the committee might take even a two-loss Cardinal team over the Cowboys.
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(12) 4% selected Navy Midshipmen (Kangaroos) if they win out against Houston and in the American Conference title game. Final Score: Clemson 32, SC 19.
