The Buckeyes (11-1, No. 8 CFP) stand a good chance to be ranked high enough by the committee to end up playing in one of the New Year’s Six games. So there is potential to go up or at least for some cushion from falling if some of Iowa’s past opponents make their way into the rankings. Even if the Cardinal can take down the Trojans, they would still need significant upheaval ahead of them – think Clemson, Iowa and Alabama losing their title games – in order to even begin any type of realistic playoff talk. “You look at that we not only played a Pac-12 team (Stanford), we also played an ACC team (Duke) down on the road”. And then you look at our two losses: If my numbers are correct, is that 21-3, the (win-loss record of the) two teams that we lost to? If Temple beats UConn, it’ll get the East spot. – San Jose State’s loss to Boise State takes away a possible bowl team for the Mountain West – the Spartans finish at 5-7.
Advertisement
Body of work probably still goes to the Tigers.
While Shaw is not in campaign mode, Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly believes his team should be in the playoff with a season-ending win at Stanford. In terms of prospect density, the best games for today might be Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, and Penn State-Michigan State, but you’ll find three or more prospects highlighted in any game you watch today, even contests like Southern Miss-LA Tech or Maryland-Rutgers.
Michigan State has no such concerns.
Michigan State left no doubt, and now Ohio State has to hope for a lot of help elsewhere.
No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska: Nebraska, the spoilers of the Big Ten, gets to host the fight for the Heroes Trophy. So I want MSU.
Oklahoma is arguably the hottest team in the country, while Ohio State just lost to Michigan State in ugly 17-14 fashion.
-Oklahoma, whose regular season is over at 11-1, is the Big 12’s one true champion after walloping Oklahoma State 58-23. But when you compare each team’s one loss, it is clear that who you lose to is not overly important, it’s when you lose.
Still, it’s always interesting to wonder how things would have shaken out under the old BCS system. So I’m going to lean MI.
For both Notre Dame and Stanford, tonight’s game down on The Farm was one that each needed to keep any playoff hopes that they entertained alive. Frankly, it’s hard seeing Florida do anything considering how poorly they played.
Notre Dame (10-2): A late-game facemask penalty against the Irish in the Stanford loss helped the Cardinal move down field for its game-winning field goal.
The Top Whatever is Spencer Hall’s weekly ranking of the teams he feels like ranking at this particular moment. Notre Dame is starting to slip as they don’t have a strong resume and struggled to beat a bad Boston College team, but they are still squarely within striking distance.
Another big day from McCaffrey will likely be a huge key for Stanford to win, especially because a slow day from the sophomore will mean that Stanford won’t be able to establish its running game as it likes to and will thus be out of its comfort zone. Stanford in turn is 9-2 overall.
#7 Baylor at #19 TCU – This one is a tough one. TCU’s last home loss was against Baylor in 2013. That would leave room for Wisconsin and Pitt.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys came in off the back of a listless defeat to Baylor seven days ago, and followed it up by laying an egg against a rampant Oklahoma squad.
Klatt brings up a slew of excellent points, most notably the fact that former coaches Barry Alvarez and Tom Osborne use their standing as the only coaches on the committee to influence the other members’ views of the teams. And it would come at rival Oklahoma State, adding to the enormity of the annual Bedlam Series. Oklahoma State ranks fourth nationally in red-zone efficiency. This might not bode well for the Big 12, again.
#3 Oklahoma at #11 Oklahoma State – As already mentioned, Oklahoma State winning would be good.
No. 11 Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1) has an outside chance of getting into the playoff. Deshaun Watson and the Tigers will face North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game and if they win, they’re in.
Advertisement
#2 Alabama at Auburn – Auburn It would be hilarious if Ole Miss ends up in the SEC Championship game with that loss to Memphis.
