Those four teams will still be placed into those games based on the CFP selection committee rankings.
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So is either Iowa or MI State, even though the Spartans began the week No. 9 before upsetting Ohio State in Columbus.
If this season has proven anything, there are no givens. Not for MI State.
It might be unbeaten Iowa (11-0). Win and go on to the playoff. Let’s take a look. The Tigers have struggled, but this rivalry always seems to save something special. Winners of five of their last six games – with the one loss coming to Alabama – the Bulldogs can make a true statement by closing out with a win over Ole Miss.
Complicating matters is the fact the Irish left Boston with a pair of fresh injury concerns to two starters: running back C.J. Prosise and top cornerback KeiVarae Russell. They’ve been solid, to be sure, with victories over good teams like Navy, Temple and Pittsburgh.
That might be a distant thought, though, unless Notre Dame cleans up its mistakes. Iowa finally gets ahead, good for them. The Trojans can still finish the season with 9 wins if they beat their other rival UCLA next weekend and win the Pac 12 Championship game. The Gators have their spot in the SEC title game locked up, but are dragging into their rivalry game off an overtime win against FAU. On a five-game winning streak with impressive wins at Stanford and a 48-28 destruction of USC, this is now the Team No One Wants To Face.
The unbeaten Hawkeyes (11-0), sixth a week ago, have their highest ranking since being third in 2002.
Just to get into the conference title game, the Buckeyes must knock off the MI Wolverines, and then hope that the Penn State Nittany Lions upset the Spartans. The biggest detractor for MI State will be the loss at Nebraska. Next: vs. Penn State, Saturday.
Oklahoma may have caught a break against TCU and Baylor, both playing without their starting quarterbacks. It likely would have ended Oklahoma’s chances, but instead it becomes a victory over a ranked opponent. With #6 Oklahoma State falling this weekend, they’re likely to move into the Top 5. Just win this week and it won’t! Fifth-ranked Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) can clinch the Big 12 conference title with a victory over the ninth-ranked Cowboys (10-1, 7-1). “Obviously we’re playing a team (Oklahoma) that beat that team (Baylor)”.
Dating back to last season, Oklahoma State had rattled off 12 straight wins including a 10-0 start to this season before its loss to Baylor.
Even Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer was not talking playoffs after his first regular-season loss to a Big Ten team in his four years at Ohio State. “Every time I’ve played them, it’s come down to the last minute or overtime”.
No. 8 Florida (10-1) beat FAU 20-14, OT. Next: vs. No. 16 Florida State, Saturday. Now the lone flawless team in the Big Ten is Iowa?
Remaining games: Florida State, SEC title game.
The Cowboys took a significant hit to their chances with the loss at home to Baylor on Saturday.
The combination of Ohio State’s loss to MI State along with in all likelihood their inability to win their conference will likely keep them out of the College Football Playoff. Dak Prescott’s huge game to get by Arkansas 51-50 on the road was the key moment in the season so far.
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I remember I said in a Tuck & O’Neill video at the end of October that things would get clearer, and then get more confusing in November. The loss to Northwestern to open the season was something the Cardinal could – and appeared to – overcome. They only have four wins over teams going bowling – but that one over Alabama still matters.
