Worst-case scenarios for College Football Playoff committee

While Oklahoma State fell out of the top ten this week, a win over the arch rival Sooners could serve as a shot in the arm while dashing any hopes Oklahoma has of vying for a national title. The Sooners will play at Oklahoma State on Saturday with a chance to win the Big 12.

In this case, its better for Alabama and Clemson to win out, lest one or both of these teams be placed ahead of OSU on name brand only. The clubs have not met as ranked opponents since 2012 and have not clashed as top ten opponents since their classic 1-vs-2 contest in 2006.

Most college football teams will play their final game of the season this week but for the remaining squads, there is still a lot left to be determined (with championship games). 5 and 6, respectively.

Oklahoma State’s 45-35 loss to Baylor dropped the Cowboys from fourth to ninth and pushed Baylor to seventh.

As some expected, Notre Dame (10-1) dropped two spots from fourth to sixth following an unimpressive, close win over Boston College this weekend. Ohio State now sits at No. 8 in the polls with a matchup against No. 10 MI looming in Ann Arbor. But he won just eight games in his final three seasons as the program slipped back into mediocrity.

Oklahoma and Iowa were the big winners this week in college football playoff rankings that included just 11 voters (Mike Tranghese was sick and could not travel).

If committee members were looking for a reasonable alternative to Baylor on championship weekend before the final rankings a year ago, they found it in Ohio State. The Mids are one of two American Athletic Conference teams ranked in the Top 25 and the highest ranked team among the Group of Five.

Michigan State jumped three spots to No. 6 after upsetting Ohio State 17-14 on Saturday. The Tide will finish off their regular season in the famed Iron Bowl against Auburn on the road. Considered a potential championship team early in the season, the 6-5 Tigers instead find themselves at the bottom of the SEC West.

It also appears that the Big XII will not be left out of the playoff, after the league’s controversial absence in last year’s bracket.

Once-beaten Michigan State at No. 9 could make a move with its win over the Buckeyes, as well as previous Top 25 wins over Michigan and Oregon. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including FM-98.1. Having Tom Osborne and Barry Alvarez on the committee also likely enforces a healthy respect for that style of football, and the Big Ten in general.

What if Michigan State beats Penn State and then Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game? Notre Dame (10-1, Independent) 7. Oklahoma State (10-1) 12. MI (9-2, Big Ten) 11.

Note to the Irish: Now would be a good time to break out a 2014 Ohio State whipping over Wisconsin as a last impression. Florida (10-1, SEC) 13.

UNC would be a one-loss ACC champ (with two FCS wins and a terrible loss to South Carolina). So if the No. 1 seed goes to the Orange – which Clemson would and Alabama might – a third-seeded OU could be in nearby Arlington. MS (8-3, SEC) 19.

Big Game Bob alllllllmost blew it against a Trevone Boykin-less TCU squad, but the Sooners survived.