MI fell at Iowa while Clemson lost to Pitt at home on last-second field goals. The Tigers ended up dropping two spots to No. 4 after losing to Pittsburgh. The Buckeyes were outside of the Top 4 last week before their 62-3 win over Maryland. “We win that game and then hopefully that opens the door for the playoffs for us, but, I mean, for now we’re focused on one week at a time”.
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OSU head Mike Gundy, who tells his team that they’re 9-1, discounting the controversial loss to Central Michigan, is still lobbying for his team to get consideration for the College Football Playoff if the Cowboys were to win out and the top teams slip.
“I would say the strength of schedule for Washington is not as strong as those teams that are now ranked above them, but the committee did think that Washington is deserving of that 6 spot ahead of No. 7 Wisconsin”.
Oklahoma (8-2) is at No. 9 to bring the Big 12 to the party, and Colorado (8-2) rounds out the top 10.
The first eight teams selected into the College Football Playoff during the initial two years of the playoff system have been easy selections. As a result, the Tar Heels fell out of the CFP rankings altogether. Nebraska (8-2) 19. Tennessee (7-3) 20.
Boise State jumping an undefeated team is interesting but the committee is likely taking a lot of stock in the Washington State victory that Boise State earned back in September.
Of course, the showdown in the shoe won’t be as important if Ohio State falls in East Lansing to the Michigan State Spartans this Saturday. Florida State (7-3) 18.
Michigan’s loss to Iowa created a potential predicament for the selection committee with the Buckeyes. Washington is still very much in play, and the likelihood of the committee showing love to a 2-loss Big Ten champion (Penn State/Wisconsin) is very real. If Clemson loses at Wake Forest, the Cardinals will be in the ACC title game and in great position to lock up a playoff spot.
If Michigan beats Ohio State, the Wolverines would go to the Big Ten Championship game. They’re on a seven-game winning streak. The Tigers defeated No. 5 Louisville, won at No. 15 Auburn and aqt No. 17 Florida State.
The Cardinals’ hurdle could be even more hard to clear than the Buckeyes’. SC (5-4); potentially December 3 vs. TBD in ACC championship game.
Quarterback and Heisman Trophy favorite Lamar Jackson tweeted a video clip of the actor Will Smith shaking his head and looked upset. The National Championship game will be played in Tampa, Florida on January 9, 2017. But would the committee take the Cardinals over the Pac-12 champ (Washington) or the Big 12 champ (Oklahoma)? The big dogs – unless your home turf resides in Tuscaloosa – weren’t safe last week and now we’re left to pick up the pieces.
Comparatively, the CFP punished Washington (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) more harshly than MI and Clemson after each team suffered their first loss.
If the Broncos stay unbeaten they would have a better chance to edge past the Aztecs, but they are not going to bump Boise.
8 p.m. ET: Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 5 Louisville vs.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 1 Alabama vs.
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Alabama remained No. 1 again this week, followed by Ohio State at No. 2. Oklahoma 10. Colorado 11.
