What each top team needs to make the College Football Playoff

Clemson will be coming off a closing stretch with Syracuse, Wake Forest and SC, which could create a little complacency as the Tigers playoff spot is all but secured. “And, again, like previous year (with Ohio State’s Cardale Jones) it speaks to the strength of that overall team that they could continue to perform at a high level with a third-string quarterback”. So here are your rooting interests over the next couple of weeks based on last night’s rankings. This week, they were knocked down to sixth behind a resurgent Michigan State and an unbeaten Iowa. It’s very possible the Gators could beat Florida State, win the SEC championship (beating Alabama) – understand, we’re not saying it’s probable, only that it’s possible – and still conceivably get left out of the Playoff field.

#1 Clemson: The Spartans probably need the Tigers to win out.

The Sooners (9-1) and Hawkeyes (10-0) fall in at Nos. A close win by UNC over Clemson just adds another ACC team to the mix. The Tar Heels have a chance to match the program record for single season victories with a win today.

#2 Alabama: Alabama needs to win out as well.

Can a two-loss team with a rugged schedule (Stanford) get back into contention?

Simply put, Michigan State is a better team than Texas.

“We had a number of re-votes where we dug into those areas and those teams”, Long said in response to a question about committee members significantly changing their minds on Iowa and Oklahoma.

On the other side of the ball, workhorse Buckeye running back Ezekiel Elliott was shut down and held to 33 rushing yards on 12 carries as Ohio State’s offense failed to get anything going. It turned out to be a good day for the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences. There, the Wolverines would have to beat Iowa. But when you compare each team’s one loss, it is clear that who you lose to is not overly important, it’s when you lose.

“Special, special player and deserving of all the accolades”, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said.

Notre Dame would be in the role of Ohio State this season, but it’s not quite the same.

Take that as a shot across the Big 12 bow, since the powers in our corner of America have schedules more backloaded than balloon payments. Lose to Stanford and their championship hopes are gone.

#7 Baylor at #19 TCU – This one is a tough one. But the status of the second team is where OSU can make its jump. You want to make sure you are trusting where you are purchasing from. The total has gone UNDER in five of Stanford’s last six games in November. After all, the season is 12 games long – a loss at the beginning of the season should be judged the same as a loss later in the season. It’s the right thing to do.

What if Alabama beats Auburn and Florida beats Florida State? With a win over Penn State, Michigan State would secure the Big Ten East Division, pitting them against Iowa in the conference championship game. Following the Mids and rounding out the top 20 areNorthwestern, Oregon, Ole Miss, TCU and Washington State. Keep the Seminoles out of the conversation. Neither is Wisconsin, which Bama beat in the season opener. Final Score: Florida State 23, Florida 22. But losing to Florida would be a clear elimination of the Seminoles.

Fourth, Baylor may not have a healthy starting quarterback or back-up, but they aren’t done yet. An undefeated Clemson claiming the ACC title and a second loss by Ohio State, this time to rival MI, wouldn’t hurt either. MI has the best defense of the three and I think Jake Rudock would be extra-motivated and could have a big game, given his familiarity with Iowa’s defensive schemes. Navy (9-1), 16. Northwestern (9-2), 17. Way too frequently I’ve seen coaches or players hit the campaign trail prematurely and then wind up with egg on their face in defeat.