You could also point to the officiating, which was bad even by Big Ten standards.
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The committee that will select the four playoff teams released its penultimate poll this week. And oh the drama we will see, which is the reason for the chaos.
For this exercise, forget about allegiances.
Penn State fans are also not big on May, and couldn’t believe that the former Pitt Panther stood up for the Nittany Lions.
SEC – Florida would earn a Sugar Bowl bid by beating Alabama. Wiped out. Blown out. That’s the only possible scenario in which Alabama might get knocked out of the playoff. “But there are 10 conference champions – not all conference champions are equal”.
Virginia Tech can not afford to drop this game, while the playoffs are an impossibility for them, an appearance in the Orange Bowl isn’t. It feels as if no one can challenge Alabama. Alabama obviously remained at #1 after remaining undefeated with a win in the Iron Bowl. In the moment, we just want a championship that’s close in the fourth quarter.
MAC: Ohio vs #17 Western Michigan, 7pm ESPN2.
If, however, both Washington and Clemson were out, that would leave three teams trying to shoehorn into two spots: Michigan, Colorado and the Big Ten victor.
“Saquon Barkley I think is going to keep ’em honest”, Franklin said. The Wolverines might be among the few teams that could hang with the Tide. This could aid a two loss Big Ten championship team in trying to beat out a one-loss Pac-12 champion in Washington. The match up would be likely the same against the Clemson Tigers.
That’s got to concern reps from the Big Ten, even if the conference is fortunate enough to get two teams in the Final Four, the most likely addition being MI, the team Ohio State beat last week.
CFP selection committee chairman Kirby Hocutt said there’s “separation” between the resumes of Ohio State and Penn State, making the Buckeyes a clear-cut choice. It would include a discussion of the value of conference championships set against non-conference derring-do such as Ohio State venturing to Oklahoma to maul the gifted locals there.
As of last week the 12-person committee had no doubt Ohio State belonged in the top four. If Penn State wins, though, the committee has a real headache. The defensive back had about a 5-yard head lead on Ohio State holder Cameron Johnston when they both broke into a sprint. I’ll tell you one other difference with the NFL.
But Michigan (10-2), Wisconsin (10-2), and Penn State (10-2) are all lingering outside looking in. It guarantees us a spot in the playoff every year, our championship game loser is awarded a spot in another high-payout bowl and we get two extra games to sell tickets to and put on TV.
Clemson has two things going for it.
– PAC-12 Championship: No. 8 Colorado vs. After decades of being told how awesome the SEC is by ESPN and CBS, it’s interesting that it took dominance by the Big Ten to bring about the tides of change.
INSKEEP: Tom, can I ask one other thing? Quarterback Deshaun Watson is an elite player. 14 Oklahoma (now No. 9 in the playoff rankings). Penn State fans were hopeful of an upset but not optimistic. But two weeks ago these teams met in Wyoming and Wyoming won 34-33. A Big Ten champion Wisconsin team would be 1-2 vs. the top ten, and 4-2 vs. the top 25, but would have lost head-to-head against both teams the Badgers would have to jump (Ohio State and Michigan). Any combination would make for a heaping bowl of fun. Alabama is getting in. If Clemson becomes No. 2, it still would be slotted against Ohio State in the semifinals.
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Navy: The Midshipmen sit only two spots behind Western Michigan in the committee rankings, and they’re sitting that close despite two losses on their schedule.
