College Football Playoff Rankings
1. Alabama
More than likely the Tide will be the SEC champ and be the no.1 seed in the playoff. But if we have learned anything from the last couple weeks it is nothing is guaranteed. Bama has proven that it's the best team in college football but what if they lose one of their final two games? A loss to Auburn wouldn't be too bad other than it would be at home, but it is a rivalry game and things happen. A loss to Florida in the SEC Championship game would have a little more sting to it but would it be enough to keep the Tide from the playoff?
2. Ohio State
Beat Michigan Saturday and the Buckeyes should be in right? The eye test says yes when they play at their best but they haven't always played at their best. The team last week vs Michigan St probably won't beat Michigan this week and definitely wouldn't beat Bama on a neutral field. The committee is simply giving OSU their ranking based on the eye test of their good performances and the one big win in Norman. They need to win Saturday and have Michigan St beat Penn State to play in the Big Ten Championship game and if that happens they will definitely be in.
3. Michigan
The Iowa loss is really hurting the Wolverines. If their only loss would've come to OSU on the road who would be 3rd and Michigan 2nd wouldn't be that bad and their resume' would be good enough to still get in. Michigan has wins over Colorado, Penn St, and Wisconsin who are all ranked in the top 10. Wilton Speight's injury is a major set back and could be the key reason they lose this weekend. If the Wolverines beat OSU and the teams they've already beaten win also, the Wolverines are in even if they lose the Big Ten Championship game.
4. Clemson
Hopefully the Pitt game woke the Tigers up and they play the type of football we expected them to play because this team will get in if they win their last two games (South Carolina and ACC Championshp). However, if they are the 4th seed they will get smoked by Alabama if they continue to play the way they have in big games. They lose the turnover battles and still win but that won't happen against the Tide.
5. Washington
Despite the one loss the Huskies are still one of the four best teams in college football. Their one loss is a better loss than Clemson's and they have been more consistent offensively and defensively than Clemson all year. Clemson struggled with an Auburn team with no identity and the Auburn team playing right now would beat Clemson. The Huskies have to take care of business Friday night and then win the Pac-12 Championship and they take the place of the Michigan-OSU loser.
6. Wisconsin
The Badgers have a shot if they win the Big Ten Championship and anyone but Washington wins the Pac-12. Wisconsin only has one quality win and that was against LSU way back in week one. They have two quality losses to Ohio St and Michigan but a loss is a loss and shouldn't be counted as a good thing.
7. Penn State
They are overrated extremely only because they won a game vs Ohio St because of special teams plays. Remember they were unranked at the time and went to 24th the next week and have played only one team, Iowa, with a winning record since. Their resume' is horrible and need to win the Big 10 and have Colorado win the Pac-12, and have Clemson lose to get in.
8. Oklahoma
They have a dynamic offense that is really playing well and that is why some want to see them get in but the defense is as bad as it gets. They did give up over 800 yards to Texas Tech and just gave up over 300 yards rushing to one player from West Virginia. They will play Oklahoma St on Championship Saturday which will help the committee watch them while others are potentially not playing which helps but they need someone other than Washington or USC to win the Pac-12 and Penn St to win the Big 10 to get in.
9. Colorado
When you look the Buffaloes resume' you wonder why they are ranked so high. They have one win against a team ranked in the top 25 and that came last week vs Washington St. They were beaten by Michigan and USC and have Utah this week. Like Penn St they need a lot to happen that probably wont to get in. Starting with them winning the Pac-12, Penn St winning the Big 10, Oklahoma St winning the Big 12, and Clemson losing both games.
10. Oklahoma St
Man that miscue in officiating vs Central Michigan is playing a major role for the Cowboys. They would only have one loss and be viewed very differently as a potential one loss conference champ vs a two loss conference champ. They didn't schedule tough in the non-conference which hurts them and because of that and the loss to Central Michigan they need a lot of help just like Colorado. Basically they need the same things Colorado needs and maybe Bama to lose too if they want to get in.
