The Tigers now boast wins over two top ten teams with 5 days remaining until the final selection, giving them the definite edge for the #1 seed over the only other undefeated power conference team-Kirk Ferentz’s overachieving Iowa team.
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Henry has carried an Alabama offense that is limited in the passing game.
No. 1 Clemson, No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 5 Michigan State.
The Playoff’s inconsistent handling of strength of schedule could pale in comparison to one more possibility: Clemson losing the ACC Championship Game and still reaching the Playoff.
For example, if UNC beats Clemson and Alabama beats Florida, then the final four would probably be Alabama, Iowa or Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. People have suggested eight, 16, even 32 teams to determine college football’s division one national champion. The team with the best chance to be this year’s Ohio State is Ohio State.
The Big Ten representative in the Rose Bowl will be either the loser of Michigan State-Iowa or Ohio State. While North Carolina would have the advantage of being a conference champion, would the committee move them from No. 10 all the way to No. 4 after just one victory?
Stanford kept itself in the playoff conversation with a 38-36 win over Notre Dame but will need another win over USC in the Pac-12 championship game as well as some help at the top in order to get in.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook also deserve serious consideration from Heisman voters.
Standing in their way is North Carolina, which joins Iowa among the country’s biggest surprises this season. With just the one loss, the Tar Heels would have a strong case for playoff inclusion if they can pull the upset on Saturday, but their No. 10 ranking (behind three two-loss teams), is not promising.
“The committee debated long and hard about the No. 1 and No. 2 teams”, said Long, who is the Arkansas athletic director.
No, the dynasty isn’t dead yet. Ole Miss took control early and went on to “egg” Mississippi State 38-27.
Frankly, I don’t buy the argument that Ohio State has a better resume than Alabama in the first place, and it certainly isn’t going to enhance its credentials while sitting in Columbus this weekend. Florida has lost steam over the final month of the season as a result, and after its ugly performance against Florida State it’s almost impossible to imagine the Treon Harris-led Gators knocking off Alabama.
Oklahoma (11-1, 8-1 Big XII) soundly defeated 11th-ranked Oklahoma State 58-23 to clinch the Big XII Conference championship, while Alabama (11-1, 7-1 SEC) beat Auburn 29-13 in the Iron Bowl.
Going into Tuesday, not many expected much difference in the top four – but there were questions as to whether the order might be different from last week. It lasted 2 minutes, 53 seconds – by far the shortest of any of the previous four poll releases. If Clemson loses, will they fall out of the Top 4?
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The Sooners locked up the Big 12 championship with a blowout victory at Oklahoma State on Saturday. One might think that if Clemson, Alabama and Oklahoma lose their games, it opens up a seat for the Buckeyes. Stanford’s in solid shape, but it’s anyone’s guess what the committee would do.
