Now, right now, Clemson and Iowa are undefeated. No matter whom the playoff committee ultimately picks, the teams left out will have legitimate reasons for why they should have gotten in instead. The details, how you played against those opponents, the timing, the health of the team, etc., etc., are the meat and muscle that fills around it and completes the picture.
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“We do”, Kelly said.
The semifinals pit the No. 1 seed vs. No. 4 and the No. 2 vs. the No. 3. Meanwhile in Stillwater, Oklahoma pulls out the win over Oklahoma State but in unconvincing fashion. Yes, this was a test to see how that team would be viewed in a numbers vacuum compared to this year. The Buckeyes remain barely alive, but they need tons of help for an invite to the four-team dance. With the Big Ten West already locked up, the Hawkeyes would theoretically only need two more wins to qualify for the Playoff. The highest ranked Group of Five conference champion will receive a bid to either the Chick-Fil-a Peach Bowl (Dec. 31) or the Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1).
Mississippi State is back in the rankings after a one-week hiatus and is followed by a pair of Pac-12 teams (UCLA and Utah) and a pair of non-Power 5 teams (Toledo and Temple).
You can check out the entire top 25 poll below. Baylor can win the Big 12 title by winning its remaining games combined with an OSU victory over Oklahoma. Starting at the very top and working the way down, just like the CFP committee does it, start with the top team and flow everything from there. The regular-season finale is Friday at Nebraska, and while Iowa will be favored, the rival Cornhuskers are playing for a bowl berth, something they haven’t missed out on since 2007. But the Big Ten could also be looking at missing the playoff if it wasn’t for Northwestern.
There will also be two huge top-10 showdowns when Notre Dame travels to Stanford while MI hosts Ohio State in an always entertaining rivalry affair. Practically speaking, while Clemson’s resumé is still playoff worthy with a loss, closing out the season on a losing note would likely prove decisive.
Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) celebrates with Spartans running back Gerald Holmes (24) and Spartans quarterback Damion Terry (6) after their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Notre Dame is in Palo Alto, Calif., against the ninth-ranked Stanford Cardinal. Iowa (40-20 win vs. Purdue) 6.
No. 16 Navy (minus 1) at No. 21 Houston: Spot in the American championship game on the line…
Note to the Irish: Now would be a good time to break out a 2014 Ohio State whipping over Wisconsin as a last impression. Exactly how good? Who knows yet given the Hawkeyes’ weaker Big Ten schedule. Oklahoma (at Oklahoma State) 4.
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There could be more shakeup in the rankings next week after Oklahoma visits Oklahoma State and Notre Dame plays at Stanford. Baylor would be trickier, given its December 5 game against Texas and status as conference champion if it wins out and Oklahoma loses. An upset there seems highly unlikely, though there could be some concern in the ACC championship game against North Carolina.
