Florida State, despite a loss at Clemson on Saturday, remained No. 16 for the second consecutive week.
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The order of the Top 4 is debatable, but the committee has made at least one thing clear- if Clemson sweeps the remainder of its season, it will be one of those four teams. The Clemson situation is interesting, only because there might be a few thought that a Round 2 wouldn’t be all that appealing – the first Fighting Irish-Tigers game was good, but it didn’t exactly capture the nation’s undivided attention.
After the 10th week of college football we finally have the second CFB Playoff ranks. Unbeaten Iowa and Baylor ranked No. 5 and 6, respectively. Northwestern (CFP: No. 18) 14. But would any other scenario admit a team to the playoffs that has lost between today and Selection Sunday?
Although there are problems now, it looks like these issues will be sorted out by the remainder of the season. Kirk Ferentz’s team is one of the top teams in strength of record and has played solid football every game this season. However, in the meantime, it’s always fun to take a look at how the picture is slowly coming together. But it must be remembered that these weekly rankings are only a progress report, and other ranking factors such as conference championships will hold great sway in the final ranking on December 6. This weekend #6 Baylor plays #12 Oklahoma.
If Alabama wins out, they’ll obviously be a lock for the playoff.
Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Braylon Mitchell (34) tackles LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Now to the Big 10.
These teams were bound to move up given the losses by MI State and TCU, but not many expected either to be knocking on the door of the Playoff.
“If Notre Dame wins out, based on what they’ve already done and who they still have to play, especially Stanford there at the end, that will leave the Pac-12 and potentially the Big 12 on the outside looking in”.
Fourth: LSU won’t leap an undefeated Big 12 champion. I’m leaning towards no. Oklahoma State and Baylor are now the conference’s only remaining unbeaten teams and one of them may have to stay that way to make the CFP.
Oklahoma and TCU, and the Cowboys also play Oklahoma. Then, pull for Stanford to beat #4 Notre Dame. Whatever the result, Navy’s performance against Army will not impact Notre Dame if the Irish are in contention for a playoff or New Year’s Six bowl. Iowa has run through this season undefeated, but no one seemed to want to talk about Iowa. If that were to happen, the Big 12 may be left out again. Stanford must win out, or Utah must win out and hope Stanford loses to Notre Dame.
Baylor wins at Oklahoma State on November 21, and TCU beats Baylor on November 27, giving OK State and Baylor one loss. After eking out a 9-7 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday, Florida dropped a spot in the selection committee rankings from No. 10 to No. 11 as three teams passed up the Gators.
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Clemson wins out. Ohio State or Iowa wins out, and impresses by beating MI and/or MI State soundly.
