The College Football Playoff scenarios are actually pretty simple

There would be a lot of unhappy people in Happy Valley if the Nittany Lions won the conference championship and were left out of the playoffs.

All 128 teams in Division I’s FBS are technically eligible to make the Playoff.

So, what should we want to happen today? “And if there’s some unequivocally better team, then maybe we can talk about them being included”.

For this exercise, forget about allegiances.

Washington did exactly what it needed to – punctuated its resume with a convincing win against a top-10 opponent and a Pac-12 conference championship, which will make it very hard for the committee to leave the Huskies out.

The College Football Playoff’s field of four will be unveiled shortly after noon ET on Sunday during a special on ESPN. The Gators have a tall order on tap, and are likely to be throttled in the SEC Championship on Saturday. Wiped out. Blown out.

Is its objective to select the four most deserving teams?

This could be easy if Alabama wins the SEC, Clemson the ACC and Washington the Pac-12. Clemson is one win away from another playoff berth while the Hokies can make it to the Orange Bowl with a victory. If Tide fans have a preference about who they want to face in the semifinals, that’s fine.

“After that game, whatever the powers that be decide, we’ll be happy and excited for whatever that opportunity is”, Franklin said. It feels as if no one can challenge Alabama.

Most college football series are scheduled many years in advance. Did I agree with MI coach Jim Harbaugh getting flagged for throwing a play sheet on the sideline? Ohio State received neither of those.

Last, but certainly not least, Orlando will feature this year’s ACC Championship Game.

Beat either one this year and it’s a blah win over a rebuilding team. If Washington loses or barely beats Colorado in the PAC 12 championship game, the Wolverines could move up a spot.

Western Michigan 38, OH 21: Corey Davis gets used to playing well in an National Football League stadium.

According to the third paragraph in the Committee’s protocol, they state “We believe that a committee of experts properly instructed (based on beliefs that the regular season is unique and must be preserved; and that championships won on the field and strength of schedule are important values that must be incorporated into the selection process) has very strong support throughout the college football community”.

¯ Wisconsin lost at home in overtime to Ohio State, 30-23. The only way that’s possible is if UW wins, Washington and Clemson both lose and the committee jumps the Badgers ahead of MI in the rankings Sunday. Ohio State is 3-1 against the top ten, 4-1 vs. the top 25, lost the head-to-head against Penn State, but has the head-to-head against Wisconsin. What the heck are the games for?! Could the Tigers jump Ohio State for No. 2?

It is also the only team in the top nine that has lost to a team that isn’t now ranked (Iowa). The big question remaining is whether No. 6 Wisconsin or No. 7 Penn State can do enough on Saturday join the No. 2 Buckeyes and push Washington out.

By making the decision to put Ohio State in that season’s playoff – which proved to be the right decision, as Ohio State went on to win the national championship – the committee sent the message that this is how they will determine who gets in when it comes to making tough decisions between similarly accomplished teams. One is playoff experience. Okay. This game has the most intrigue as it is quite possible that the victor will not get into the playoff. The Tigers aren’t intimidated by the Tide or the big stage.

INSKEEP: Tom, can I ask one other thing? Mobile quarterback Tracy McSorley makes it work, especially when it appears a play has broken down.

First up: an undefeated team and another that needs to win to get into the playoffs. Watson is that kind of player.

MI is the first team left out in the final CFP Poll.

Oklahoma (9-2) and Oklahoma State (9-2), who will clash for the Big 12 championship, sit at Nos. So is Ohio State.

They sure did. But that was 8 weeks ago, at MI – and Michigan only won by 7.