College Football Playoff Predictor 2.0

We’re not talking insane upsets, but reasonable losses, knowing that insane upsets could always happen.

For example, if Clemson really is No. 1, then Notre Dame – with the only loss coming to the Tigers – could technically be No. 2.

If Navy is in the mix, the committee would announce the pairing for one of the New Year’s Six bowls – either the Fiesta or Peach -and one participant in the other New Year’s Six bowl, holding the other spot in that game for the Group of Five rep.

What if Alabama beats Auburn and Florida beats Florida State?

After two weeks at No. 4, Notre Dame has slipped outside the Playoff field. With the 40-20 victory over Purdue on Saturday, Iowa clinched the Big Ten West Division and secured its place in Indianapolis for the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game on December 5. The two teams moved up at the expense of Ohio State and Notre Dame. Stanford’s schedule strength would certainly trump Baylor’s and could give the committee ample reason to look past the number in the loss column – which it has shown it is more than willing to do. Ohio State? Not this time.

And maybe a spot in the College Football Playoff. But coach Brian Kelly had said earlier Tuesday he believes they will be in if they close the regular season with a win at Stanford (9-2), which is No. 9 in the CFP rankings.

The top four teams, as ranked by the 12-person selection committee, will be placed in the Orange and Cotton Bowls and meet on December 31. Remember, the Horned Frogs dropped out of the playoff picture after a 52 point win.

The Spartans rose up from ninth to fifth after their win in Columbus. They were passed by Oklahoma, Iowa and Michigan State who sit at Nos.

Oklahoma and Iowa were rewarded for their steady and successful play Tuesday when both teams moved into the top four in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings.

Iowa would be a one-loss Big Ten champ. In the playoff world, if you must lose, take a loss to a mediocre team that can be labeled a fluke and then beat the good teams on your schedule. It likely would have ended Oklahoma’s chances, but instead it becomes a victory over a ranked opponent. Baylor would be trickier, given its December 5 game against Texas and status as conference champion if it wins out and Oklahoma loses. It’s not the poll world anymore. Washington State (CFP: No. 20) 19. Oklahoma plays Saturday at Oklahoma State (7 p.m., WFAA/Ch. 8). Baylor 8. Ohio State 9. No. 1 Clemson – beat SC, beat North Carolina in ACC championship No. 2 Alabama – beat Auburn, beat Florida in SEC championship No. 4 Iowa – beat Nebraska, beat Big Ten East champion in Big Ten championship No. 12 Florida – beat Florida State, beat Alabama in the SEC championship That’s it. Any of those four would no way, no how miss out on the playoff by winning out.

The biggest change of the week is the Ohio State Buckeyes dropping out of the top four with their loss to the Michigan State Spartans this past weekend.

Even though the Big 12 has been under ranked for most of the CFP committee’s rankings, a conference championship, although one determine in the regular season, will still be important to the committee in their discussions.