The committee revealed their first set of rankings last week, and it did exactly what it was intended to do. Everyone was outraged, upset, and pissed off over where their favorite team sat after the first reveal. They forget that those rankings are going to change every week, especially after several teams took an L this weekend.
I will say this though. I don’t make my decisions through the same scope as the committee. Personally I think they got plenty of kinks to work out in how they go about ranking teams, but I’m sure they won’t be listening to me.
Full disclosure here: Being undefeated means something to me regardless of conference or schedule. Winning all of the games on your schedule isn’t easy, and teams should be rewarded for that. I’m not okay with making up false reasoning for putting one loss teams ahead of teams who have handled their business week in and out thus far.
With that being said, lets get to it.
The Final Four
- Ohio State
The Buckeyes haven’t always done it in style, but they keep finding ways to win. They have found a way to juggle their quarterback situation and continue to navigate the schedule without a loss thus far. Folks have tried to do the same thing to them like they did to Florida State last year in regards to them being the defending champs, not having a tough schedule, and winning in ugly fashion at times. There is only a few teams left in the country to have an undefeated record and Ohio State is one of them.
- Clemson
Clemson got into a dog fight with Florida State at home this past weekend, but like Ohio State they remain undefeated and continue to find ways to keep their record unblemished. They deserve to be in everyone’s final four at this point and will have a chance to win every game they play with Deshaun Watson at quarterback.
- Baylor
The Bears survived their first game with true freshmen Jarrett Stidham filling in for Seth Russell at quarterback. Stidham threw for over 400 yards in his first collegiate start, and showed that if Baylor loses a game, it won’t be because of lack of fire power on offense. I think if anything keeps Baylor out of the playoff at the end of the year, it will be their SOS if they end up losing a game down the home stretch. If they win them all, you can bet your last dollar they will be in. They still have Oklahoma State and TCU left on the schedule.
- Oklahoma State
Yes, I am putting the Cowboys here over Alabama for now. Oklahoma State far exceeding expectations for me this year, and they just beat up on TCU over the weekend to keep their undefeated season alive. Just like Baylor, they still have two tough games left on the schedule in Baylor, and their annual Bedlam game against Oklahoma. For a Big 12 team to get into the dance this year, one of the teams that are in my final four now will have to run the table in my opinion.
Missed the Cut
- Alabama
Hey, don’t be mad at me; be mad at them for allowing Ole Miss to put up 43 on them at home at night. The Ole Miss loss continues to look worse and worse with every loss they take and they just lost to Arkansas at home this weekend. The LSU win helps their case for sure, but they need some help to make the cut for me. Answer me this, outside of the LSU win what is Bama’s best win this year?
- Iowa
They just keep on winning man. They will have to run the table and win the Big 10 title to get in at this point with Ohio State standing in the way.
- Notre Dame
They’re banged up, but they keep on winning. Only loss on the resume is to Clemson on the road at night, with their backup quarterback in the game. Did I mention Clemson only won that game by two points? This is a team I would hate to see in the playoff if they make it in. A win against Stanford at the end of the year could vault them in the playoff if someone ahead of them stumbles.
- Stanford
NERDS!! Another team that has a chance to make a run at the final playoff spot if the teams ahead of them stumbles. Winning out means a win over Notre Dame, and a Pac-12 title, they would have a strong case for sure.
