Obviously nothing is guaranteed for this weekend’s winners, as the committee could change its mind for any number of reasons. I’m sure all you wild fans were tuned in to watch your favorite teams.
Advertisement
Clemson has a very simple win-and-you’re-in scenario. Preference is only given to the team seeded No. 1.
If Clemson loses to North Carolina, however, chaos ensues. A loss, but specifically a close loss, likely doesn’t bump the Tigers completely out of the top four but they would drop at least one or two spots. The Spartans would have less of a shot, but it would be hard for the committee to justify taking Ohio State over them should it come to that, based on their head-to-head result.
Michigan State plays Iowa Saturday night in the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The months of speculation about who will be in the playoff ends when teams play their way in or out of the field. The Cardinal could arguably be ranked ahead of Ohio State, but I think that will take care of itself if they handle their business on Saturday.
Remember last season when Baylor and TCU were clamoring for a Big-12 title game to name one conference champ and make their cases stronger for the CFP?
A win over No. 1 and a conference championship would drastically alter the Tar Heels’ resume, but they have a lot of ground to make up.
Stanford (10-2, 8-1 Pac 12) could sneak into the playoff if it wins the Pac 12 and either Clemson or Alabama loses. The top 4 remained the same for the second consecutive week, something that comes as little surprise with Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Iowa all notching wins this week.
Long also said the committee deliberated extensively this week about whether to swap Clemson at Alabama at the top, but the fact that Alabama has not played a team in the committee’s top 10 kept the Tigers at No. 1. Does North Carolina get in? Let’s throw two loss TCU in front of them as well, as they have gone through the gauntlet of top Big 12 teams in recent weeks largely without their record breaking star quarterback Travone Boykin, and still have the 7th best strength of record in the nation according to ESPN FPI. The Cougars have the highest ranking of the non-Power Five schools, and they face 22nd ranked Temple in the AAC Title Game on Saturday.
Sitting at No. 7 in this week’s rankings, Stanford needs some help, even if it wins on Saturday.
The biggest matchup this week will be the Big Ten title game, which will pit No. 4 Iowa against No. 5 Michigan State, with the victor likely securing a spot in the four-team playoff.
Clemson and Alabama, Nos.
As it stands now, the sports betting experts are predicting that three of the current top four will participate in the playoffs: Clemson, Alabama and Oklahoma.
Four CFP takeaways: Could the SEC get snubbed?
Advertisement
Or would the risk of a loss on that stage have put a damper on the good feelings OSU still has after its dramatic victory over Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl?
