The biggest matchup this week is the Big Ten Conference title game, which pits No. 4 Iowaagainst No. 5 Michigan State with the victor all but assured of securing a spot in the four-team playoff.
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While either Iowa or Michigan State will lose, idle Ohio State (11-1) must hope another team from above also loses – either Clemson, which plays No. 10 North Carolina (11-1) in the ACC Championship Game, or Alabama, which plays No. 18 Florida (10-2) in the SEC Championship Game. The current field – Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa – is bound to change, given the list of conference championship games to be played this Saturday. The Buckeyes moved up two places after drubbing rival MI.
Let me walk you through it.
There was a time when Ohio State’s nonconference schedule this season was North Carolina in week one, Northern Illinois in week two and at Virginia Tech in week three. The Big Ten title game loser face-planting and Stanford falling to USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game are musts for Carolina’s chances. If they win, they likely get Florida State in the Peach Bowl, or Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
Obscured and peeved earlier this century while the SEC won seven consecutive national titles, the Big Ten holds down half of the top six spots and all three of the positions (4-5-6) considered most intriguing. Right now, Oklahoma State and TCU are tied for second, a half-game ahead of Baylor, in the Big 12.
Despite Clemson’s close call against unranked SC, the Tigers remained on top of the poll, while dominant efforts over the weekend by Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa and Michigan State kept them at their same spots.
“It isn’t only the FCS victories, it’s the combination of those with the SC loss”, Long said of North Carolina. If the Cougars defeat No. 22 Temple (10-2) in this weekend’s AAC Championship Game, they should receive an invitation to a New Year’s Six access bowl.
“Yes, I do feel that way”, the Tar Heels’ fourth-year coach said when asked if No. 14 North Carolina would merit a playoff bid should it be crowned ACC champion.
After Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech last season, the Buckeyes ended up running the table and playing their way into the playoff discussion, and they wound up winning the whole thing. The winners will meet in the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 11, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
For example, if UNC beats Clemson and Alabama beats Florida, then the final four would probably be Alabama, Iowa or Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. However, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which one of the other contenders (Ohio State, Stanford or North Carolina) would rise high enough to knock Oklahoma from the playoffs.
The final rankings will be released Sunday after the conference championship games.
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– If Stanford were to make the playoff, the Pac-12 rep would likely be OR, ranked No. 16. If North Carolina beats Clemson, then another team will be needed to fill that final playoff spot.
