This Tuesday, the third CFB playoff ranking was completed by the committee, and it's certainly looking interesting. Some things to note about it:
*It seems that there is no weight to Marshall's undefeated season, omitting them completely from the top 25 rankings. Some say that if Marshall goes undefeated, they have the right to be in the playoffs. Others point to their extremely soft schedule as a reason against it. Marshall deserves a higher bowl bid for sure, and that might actually be better than facing one of the top four teams and get blown out.
*FSU is bumped down to #3 in the rankings, as Oregon bypassed them for the #2 spot. I find this hard to believe, as FSU has done nothing but win, going undefeated and winning the National Title last year, with their last loss coming almost two years ago. Because of that, I would have them #1 in my ranking until they lose a game. Another thing I have a problem with is Oregon had a close game between Utah into the fourth quarter, I can't see moving Oregon up past FSU considering that as well.
*Many were counting the Big 12 out of a playoff spot, but they came back in a big way this weekend. Alabama almost losing to LSU paved the way for TCU to finish at #4, and Baylor has recovered from their upset loss at WVU and is ranked #7. Some are arguing that Baylor should be ahead of TCU, as TCU's loss came against Baylor. The opposition points to Baylor's loss to an unranked WVU as reason against it.
*Notre Dame continued their fall down the rankings, finishing at #18, with a three-loss LSU team ahead of them.
*Meanwhile, ND's opponent this past weekend, ASU, finished at #6 and is well within the discussion for the playoff. Provided they win out, with the big test being the final week against Arizona, ASU and Oregon will be playing for their playoff lives in the Pac-12 championship game.
*Rounding out the top 10 is Ohio State at #8, now the only Big Ten team in discussion for the playoff, after their victory over Michigan State. Auburn is #9 after their stunning last second loss to TAMU, and #10 is Ole Miss.
The entire top 25:
1. Mississippi State (9-0)
2. Oregon (9-1)
3. Florida State (9-0)
4. TCU (8-1)
5. Alabama (8-1)
6. Arizona State (8-1)
7. Baylor (8-1)
8. Ohio State (8-1)
9. Auburn (7-2)
10. Ole Miss (8-2)
11. UCLA (8-2)
12. Michigan State (7-2)
13. Kansas State (7-2)
14. Arizona (7-2)
15. Georgia (7-2)
16. Nebraska (8-1)
17. LSU (7-3)
18. Notre Dame (7-2)
19. Clemson (7-2)
20. Wisconsin (7-2)
21. Duke (8-1)
22. Georgia Tech (8-2)
23. Utah (6-3)
24. Texas A&M (7-3)
25. Minnesota (7-2)
*It seems that there is no weight to Marshall's undefeated season, omitting them completely from the top 25 rankings. Some say that if Marshall goes undefeated, they have the right to be in the playoffs. Others point to their extremely soft schedule as a reason against it. Marshall deserves a higher bowl bid for sure, and that might actually be better than facing one of the top four teams and get blown out.
*FSU is bumped down to #3 in the rankings, as Oregon bypassed them for the #2 spot. I find this hard to believe, as FSU has done nothing but win, going undefeated and winning the National Title last year, with their last loss coming almost two years ago. Because of that, I would have them #1 in my ranking until they lose a game. Another thing I have a problem with is Oregon had a close game between Utah into the fourth quarter, I can't see moving Oregon up past FSU considering that as well.
*Many were counting the Big 12 out of a playoff spot, but they came back in a big way this weekend. Alabama almost losing to LSU paved the way for TCU to finish at #4, and Baylor has recovered from their upset loss at WVU and is ranked #7. Some are arguing that Baylor should be ahead of TCU, as TCU's loss came against Baylor. The opposition points to Baylor's loss to an unranked WVU as reason against it.
*Notre Dame continued their fall down the rankings, finishing at #18, with a three-loss LSU team ahead of them.
*Meanwhile, ND's opponent this past weekend, ASU, finished at #6 and is well within the discussion for the playoff. Provided they win out, with the big test being the final week against Arizona, ASU and Oregon will be playing for their playoff lives in the Pac-12 championship game.
*Rounding out the top 10 is Ohio State at #8, now the only Big Ten team in discussion for the playoff, after their victory over Michigan State. Auburn is #9 after their stunning last second loss to TAMU, and #10 is Ole Miss.
The entire top 25:
1. Mississippi State (9-0)
2. Oregon (9-1)
3. Florida State (9-0)
4. TCU (8-1)
5. Alabama (8-1)
6. Arizona State (8-1)
7. Baylor (8-1)
8. Ohio State (8-1)
9. Auburn (7-2)
10. Ole Miss (8-2)
11. UCLA (8-2)
12. Michigan State (7-2)
13. Kansas State (7-2)
14. Arizona (7-2)
15. Georgia (7-2)
16. Nebraska (8-1)
17. LSU (7-3)
18. Notre Dame (7-2)
19. Clemson (7-2)
20. Wisconsin (7-2)
21. Duke (8-1)
22. Georgia Tech (8-2)
23. Utah (6-3)
24. Texas A&M (7-3)
25. Minnesota (7-2)
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