Clemson Retains Top Spot, Notre Dame in Top 4

Once-beaten Alabama jumping from No. 4 to No. 2 after it pounded previous No. 2 LSU and once-beaten Notre Dame edging from No. 5 to No. 4. If it wins out, Notre Dame’s only loss would be to the No. 1 Tigers on the road, in the rain, with a backup quarterback.

Clemson (9-0) remained No. 1 in the CFP rankings, with Alabama (8-1) and defending national champion Ohio State (9-0) sitting second and third.

Both Ohio State and Wisconsin held the same spot as last week in the rankings.

Iowa’s rise to No. 5 was shocking after winning 35-27 on the road against an IN team that is 0-5 IN Big Ten play. It’s worth noting Florida, number 11 in the rankings, who’ll play in the SEC championship game against Alabama (probably), but a loss against Florida State (#16) could cost them a potential playoff spot, even if they win the SEC championship game, although that probably depends on what other teams do.

Finally, one college football columnist was baffled by the committee’s explanation of this week’s rankings. Notre Dame was the big beneficiary of LSU’s loss as the Fighting Irish moved from No. 5 into the top four. Although I’m thrilled that my Irish are now in the playoff, I’m sure that many people would disagree with their ranking. Notre Dame has to win out to make the football version of the Final Four. Now the question is, can they hang on and win the ACC title game?

How is Iowa ahead of all these other undefeated teams?

While Baylor does not yet have a signature win against a top opponent – or a signature loss – they are rolling through a Power-5 conference, not the American Conference.

Overall, the feeling toward the Big 12 was that of disrespect again, and these rankings did little to quiet the chatter of the league getting left out of the Playoff for a second straight season.

IMPACT PLAYER: Oklahoma State sophomore receiver James Washington has had three consecutive 100-yard games. Barrett is considered the starter heading into the No. 2 Buckeyes’ game this Saturday, at IL.

Stanford may or may not be the nation’s best college football team.

Ohio State: MI State at home, at MI, and then the Big Ten title game.

Notre Dame was ranked as the fourth and final playoff team. I’m not saying Oklahoma State is truly a top-five team, but compare their schedule and resume with Baylor, their Big 12 counterpart.

“If Notre Dame wins out, based on what they’ve already done and who they still have to play, especially Stanford there at the end, that will leave the Pac-12 and potentially the Big 12 on the outside looking in”. Baylor remained at No. 6, while Oklahoma sits at No. 12. LSU may have to beat all of these teams in an impressive fashion as well, but they must at the very least beat them on the field of play.

The Crimson Tide moved into the No. 2 spot behind No. 1 Clemson, to no one’s surprise.