With the college football season winding down, we are headed for some very interesting conference championship finishes and final four decisions. If there is one thing we have learned, it is to never rule any team out. Many teams have two more remaining games until the final college football ranking is revealed, and as we all know, anything can happen. Below, I will be previewing the end of the regular season and giving my picks for the final six spots in the College Football Playoff Rankings (I know there are only four spots). This year is very interesting to say the least…
#1 Alabama:
I fully expect Alabama to beat Auburn and Florida and advance to the national semifinal. I do think the Iron Bowl will be close though, because it is always close no matter what. Alabama’s offense is rolling and their defense hasn’t given up more than 14 points in close to two months.
#2 Clemson:
Clemson is a very interesting team as they have shown us they can beat anyone, as well as keep the game close with anyone. However, their remaining is nothing spectacular and this squad is motivated to get back to the national title game. I would be shocked to see Clemson lose to South Carolina at home. After the South Carolina game, I fully expect Clemson to take care of business against a solid but not great Virginia Tech team. I also expect Clemson to jump to the #2 spot in the rankings because of owning a conference championship and their ranking last year (the committee loves Clemson).
#3 Ohio State:
Very interesting here. If Ohio State had taken care of Penn State in Happy Valley, they would be a no doubt playoff team with likely a big ten championship. However, after a win over Michigan on Saturday, they will be able to rest and get ready for their semi final matchup. As young as the Buckeyes are, I do not see them losing to a banged up Michigan squad in their huge rivalry game.
#4 Wisconsin:
An Ohio State win over Michigan would give both Penn State and Wisconsin hope, and rightfully so. If Wisconsin and or Penn State win the big ten (which I favor Wisconsin) I see the winner taking the fourth and final playoff spot. Other teams like Washington, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Colorado have a lot of what ifs surrounding their spots. Wisconsin would be a conference champion with a very close loss to #3 Ohio State.
#5 Washington:
It is very reasonable to think that Washington could sneak in as a Pac-12 champion and one loss team over two loss Big-10 champion Wisconsin. However, Washington has a tough slate ahead of them with Washington State and likely Colorado. I am giving Wisconsin the edge for the final spot because of their close game with Ohio State Washington not owing a signature win (Wisconsin doesn’t really have one either). Both teams have legitimate cases, however you never know what is going to happen with the college football playoff committee.
#6 Oklahoma:
Oklahoma will finish at #6 with a 10-2 record and a very impressive resume. However, losing to Houston is their biggest mistake of them all. Houston has some excellent wins, but I strongly believe Houston’s losses hurt the Sooners more than anything. If Oklahoma were 11-1 with their only loss to Ohio State, I would imagine the Sooners making it. However, owning 2 losses does not help make their case.
As you can see, all of this is very subjective and anything can happen. It is very hard to guess the college football landscape. It would be very interesting to see such happen, but ever since Penn State defeated Ohio State in Happy Valley I have had a weird feeling. Ultimately I think Washington gets the short end of the stick, and falls victim to a very strong Big-10.
