Nothing changes at the top of the CFP rankings

Notre Dame was handed the penalty along with a $5,000 fine and placed on one-year probation after a former student athletic trainer committed academic misconduct for two football players by completing course-work for them. The results took identical 20-percentage-point tolls on MI and Washington’s CFP probabilities and lopped 9 points off of Clemson’s as well.

Given Ohio State already has a large lead on Penn State, it’s also important to consider that the Buckeyes have a chance to enhance its already-impressive resume with a win over MI.

When Michigan faces Ohio State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium (3:30 p.m., ABC), it’ll be a battle between top four teams as the Buckeyes remained at No. 2 and Michigan landed at No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings announced tonight.

Undefeated Alabama remained at No. 1, followed by Ohio State at No. 2, MI at No. 3 and Clemson at No. 4. The rivalry game coming up with Washington State is huge, and Washington State has one of the best passing attacks in the country. Right now, the committee has the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and the Pac-12 champions ahead of the Big 12 champions, if the right teams win it. If Washington loses this week, the Pac 12 will have a tough time getting a team into the playoff (since another win over WSU wouldn’t help the Buffs very much).

In the next few minutes I am going to show you the 4 teams in the Big 10 that made the top 10 this and I will also show you their future as we get down to the end of the College Football season. Auburn (8-3); December 3 SEC championship game vs. Alabama remained secure in top spot garnering a 90 percent probability of making it to the playoffs. If nearly unthinkable, Alabama could lose to Auburn or Florida, if not both. Would the Crimson Tide still get in? (Nebraska is also in the top 25 at No. 16.) The door is increasingly open for the Big Ten to maintain a hold on two of the top four spots, too, depending on what happens in Columbus this week. Then they have two paths to the playoffs. I think I’d pick them over Penn State if they play in the title game. The winners face off January 9 in Tampa for the national championship. But when IN played U-M tough, holding a halftime lead before succumbing, 20-10, it showed the Iowa loss created some doubt.

Drama awaits in the Big Ten – If Ohio State beats Michigan, Penn State (provided they take care of Michigan State) will play for a Big Ten title.

Penn State, the current East Division leader in the Big Ten, moved to the No. 7 spot, and will be facing Michigan State in its final game. Colorado 10. Oklahoma State 11. Obviously, we have two weeks in the regular season left this season, and then championship game Saturday. If Utah wins, USC advances to a title game. A loss to SC or in the ACC championship game likely would knock out Dabo Swinney and the gang. There are four Big 10 teams ranked in the top seven, and six Pac 12 teams in the top 25.

In case you somehow missed, Louisville was smoked by the Houston Cougars on Thursday night, handing them their second loss of the season and kicking them firmly out of the playoff picture.