Don’t expect a big shift in playoff rankings

Michigan State was ranked fifth, the first team out of the playoff field, and Ohio State climbed to No. 6. The sophomore broke Barry Sanders’ single-season record of 3,250 yards set in 1988 with Oklahoma State, although McCaffrey took two extra games to do it. Oklahoma has won the Big 12 and they are going to make it, while Michigan State is looking to take down Iowa so they can sneak into the number four spot. Iowa leads the series 23-20-2 but Michigan State won the most recent meeting, 26-14 in 2013 at Iowa City.2. The Irish dropped from fourth to eighth; Florida State and North Carolina moved up to Nos. I also know that if Clemson wins Saturday they are in no matter what, but in what world do you even consider putting Alabama over Clemson? As a one-loss division champion, the Hawkeyes would certainly have a case. The Spartans adding another quality win to their resume improves Ohio State’s portfolio, which is largely bereft of signature wins.

The Tigers (13-0) had some nervous moments at the end, but behind Deshaun Watson’s brilliance they held off North Carolina 45-37 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title and stay unbeaten. The Spartans received much more hype before the season, but with some mediocre performances and injury issues, they’ve had plenty of doubters along the way. Not only do they have some of the best wins in the nation this season, but even their losses to Northwestern and OR are looking good at this point.

Most likely what will happen is that Clemson, Alabama and Michigan State all win, and they along with Oklahoma will provide a great second year of the playoffs.

That’s not to say it shouldn’t change drastically if North Carolina beats Clemson, but right now, it makes sense. The backlash to a perfectly proper decision was so strong that it was a factor (not the only one, but a strong one) in pushing us all to a four-team playoff. Clemson has run the table so far, but played a relatively easy schedule with their overall SOS checking in at 36.

No, the dynasty isn’t dead yet.

No team with two losses has the opportunity Stanford does. Last week, the top five were (in order) Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, and Michigan State.

The Gators have enjoyed a resurgence in Jim McElwain’s first season, but the offense has been punchless since QB Will Grier was suspended. Ohio State’s lone, marquee victory came last week against MI.

There was a mock poll that was conducted Sunday by some of the most notable gurus in NCAA Football and came up with the four more likely teams in the playoff series: 1) Clemson, 2) Oklahoma, 3) Crimson Tide, and 4) Iowa.

They beat Florida State and Notre Dame. If they don’t make the playoff, they have a good shot at making the cut for the Rose Bowl. The playoff semifinals will match the No. 1 seed vs. the No. 4 seed, and No. 2 will face No. 3.

Either Clemson and/or Alabama lose and all h-e-double hockey sticks breaks loose. Who would get in among a one-loss Clemson, a one-loss, ACC champion North Carolina, a two-loss, Pac-12 champion Stanford and a potential one-loss Iowa?