Well things got even more interesting with the playoff picture over the weekend, as THREE undefeated teams were upset by their opponents and saw their opportunity to make it into the college football playoff go up in smoke.
There are only two spots right now in the final four that I feel pretty good about at this point in the season, and with there still being rivalry games and conference title games to be played those aren’t guaranteed.
I don’t envy the job of the committee and their process of having to make decisions over the next couple of weeks. Someone is going to be pissed, but hey that’s why we need an eight team playoff anyway.
Final Four
- Clemson
One of two teams left with an unblemished record, and only South Carolina and North Carolina stand between them and the college football playoff. Of the teams in my top four they have the best signal caller under center and that will be huge come playoff time.
- Alabama
The SEC’s last hope to get a team into the playoff this year. Fortunately for them they play a really down Auburn squad and a Florida team that just got taken to overtime by FAU on their own home turf. Bama should handle both teams with relative ease, but nothing is ever a given these days.
- Iowa
The other undefeated team left in the playoff picture. They benefit from Ohio State falling to Michigan State over the weekend, as they now may avoid the Buckeyes all together in the Big 10 title game. The Spartans won’t be an easy out either, as they have managed some tough road victories this year. By far the most surprising team this year in my book and they just keep on winning.
- Notre Dame
The injuries keeping piling up right along with the wins. No other team has faced more adversity than Notre Dame this year and it isn’t really close. They have a big game against Stanford this week and a big win over the Cardinal could be enough to get them into the playoff this year.
Just Missed the Cut
- Michigan State
Despite being pretty unimpressive the first half of the season, the Spartans probably have the best resume of all the teams in the running for the playoff, which includes road wins at Ohio State and Michigan. If they win out, they have a pretty strong case for being in the final four.
- Oklahoma
One of the hotter teams in the country stayed hot by knocking off TCU this weekend. They have looked like a completely different team since losing to Texas last month and they need a strong statement against rival Oklahoma State in their annual Bedlam game.
- North Carolina
The Tar Heels lost a close one against South Carolina in the season opener and haven’t lost since. They may not make the final four, but a win over Clemson in the ACC title game could make things interesting.
- Baylor
The Bears are a long shot at this point, but an upset win over Oklahoma State and a win over TCU would look good for the resume. Unfortunately I think they are too far off the radar after their loss to Oklahoma.
