Let the controversy begin after College Football Playoff teams announced
There also was the matter of Ohio State, which finished tied for first with Penn State in the Big Ten East, but the Nittany Lions represented the division in the conference championship game thanks to their October 22 win over Ohio State. Washington whipped Colorado 41-10 in the Pac-12 title game Friday night.
Instead it’s just one more example of how the stars have aligned for this Alabama football team on its relentless march toward national championship No. 17. Washington likely passed the committee’s “eye test” with flying colors thanks to its consistently explosive offense led by quarterback and likely Heisman Candidate Jake Browning. The Trojans barely missed out on the Pac-12 title game between Washington and Colorado – who were both beaten convincingly by USC – but overtook the Buffaloes in the final playoff rankings to snag their record 34th Rose Bowl berth. Washington will play the role of Michigan State, which Alabama dismembered 38-0 in last year’s semifinals.
Washington’s proud program had hit rock bottom when coach Chris Petersen arrived from Boise State three years ago. Each of the New Year’s Six games will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and heard on ESPN Radio.
If there is a pattern to be found in the committee’s work over three years it may be this simple: For the most part, the teams are ranked by the number in the loss column. 15 in last week’s playoff rankings and AP poll, and No. 16 in last week’s coaches poll. “I’m just looking for clarity”, Bowlsby said. The Huskies stifled the Buffs, 41-10. Tide head coach Nick Saban will have on-staff insight into Washington. “Had Washington had a stronger strength of schedule I don’t think the conversation and discussion would have been as hard”. Probably, and I think that’s how it should be.
“Washington deserves that No. 4 spot”, Hocutt said.
“I think that you can make arguments for and against so many different teams”, Franklin said. “We’ll prepare hard and fortunately the Seahawks are here in town”.
Even after a wild finish to championship Saturday, selection Sunday went pretty much as expected. West Virginia lost two by an average of 22.5 points per game. MI (10-2) was ranked No. 6.
Five teams handled their business over the weekend.
Saban downplayed any benefit of having been through the playoff preparations and atmosphere twice before. Penn State and MI didn’t have winning percentages comparable to Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Washington.
Be proactive – Use the “Flag as Inappropriate” link at the upper right corner of each comment to let us know of abusive posts. It wasn’t to give credit to Western Michigan for an unbeaten season. Alabama’s passing game, led by freshman Jalen Hurts, has sputtered at times but Hurts is a risky runner.
Ia. Winning a conference title game matters. 2,428 yards, 24 TDs passing; 847 yards, nine TDs rushing. “One loss, they were not competitive in that particular game; the other loss was to an 8-4 team”.