Like every week, the College Football Playoff Committee get’s scrutinized for every move they make. In the end, a lot of scenarios settle themselves out. When that happens, the committee’s job gets a hell of a lot easier. Let’s take a look at a few things that made the College Football Playoffs a little clearer for the committee.
Ohio St loses!
Similar to FSU last year, OSU was ranked in the top 4 by default. They hadn’t played any real competition but you’re just not allowed to drop an undefeated defending national champion. Even if you can see they aren’t one of the best four teams. Twelve weeks into the season, MSU was only considered a measuring stick to OSU. They were OSU’s first ranked opponent of the season. Well, they proved to everyone they didn’t belong. FSU didn’t get a test last year and it allowed an undeserving, yet undefeated team sneak into the playoffs over a better TCU team. That will not be the case this year because OSU made this decision easy for the committee.
Oklahoma didn’t lose.
I think the Committee can make an easy case for Oklahoma being in the playoffs if they win out and are declared the champions of the Big XII. If TCU kicks the xp, they very may well have won in OT against a gassed Oklahoma. With that scenario, a Baylor and TCU showdown coupled with an instate rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma St could give the committee headaches with the wrong results. In my eyes, Oklahoma controls their own destiny. That is assuming the Big XII wouldn’t be dumb enough to declare another Co-Conference Champion. Sorry Baylor.
Iowa and Notre Dame didn’t lose to bad teams
Iowa staying undefeated is necessary for the playoff committee to be able to secure a spot for the Big 10 Champion. Assuming Michigan St and Iowa both win out, you have to believe the winner of the Big 10 Conference Championship game is in the playoffs no matter what. Notre Dame won by 1 point against a bad Boston College team. All that matters is they won because a showdown with Stanford gives them a resume booster with a major quality win.
Houston finally loses
Maybe Todd Herman spent more time working on his contract extention than he did with his preparations for an under talented Uconn team. But there will be no Cinderella seasons for the Committee to feel pressured to pretend to consider. We all know Houston didn’t have a chance for a playoff spot despite their conference being tougher than some of the Power 5 conferences. But at least the committee won’t be asked any questions about it.
Win and In
I think if the following teams take care of their business, they will be make the College Football Playoff committee’s job a lot easier:
- Clemson
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Michigan St.
- Iowa
- Notre Dame
Spots 3 through 6 are a toss up. I would have to look up the rules for the Big XII, but last year they declared equal record teams Co-Conference champions, despite Baylor having a Head to Head win over TCU.
Last week, I had Ohio State and Oklahoma State in the top 4 based on their records at the end of the season if they were to win out. That fixed itself.
Next week I look for Oklahoma to handle an overrated Oklahoma State team. Then I believe Stanford knocks Notre Dame out of this discussion, likely setting up the top 4 spots naturally.
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